IMOA: Global Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction: An Ethical Assessment of the Sendai Framework

(IMOA) Imagine Pacific Original Article 

Global Standards for Disaster Risk Reduction: An Ethical Assessment of the Sendai Framework 

By James E. Faumuina, MBA, MPA 

Editor, Imagine Pacific Pulse    

8/14/2024 

 

With no regulatory enforcement and held together by ethical agreements among nations, the Sendai Framework represents an accord made by the United Nations, serving as a global standard for disaster risk reduction (United Nations, 2015; Uchiyama et al., 2021; United Nations, 2023). This agreement establishes seven targets, including national-level compliance in building construction, to ensure safe and disaster-ready structures (United Nations, 2015).

Uchiyama et al. (2021) addressed the efficacy of this global agreement, noting that it needs to be prioritized, which has hindered the implementation of its objectives. A report on the progress of the previously agreed-upon Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) describes the Sendai Framework as faltering, with SDGs appearing in the “rear-view mirror” of countries that had once committed to supporting them (United Nations, 2023).

Considering ethical perspectives, which argue that anyone capable should contribute to society and themselves, Heres and Lasthuizen (2012) discuss the concepts of a moral person and moral manager. They emphasize that ethical leadership is demonstrated through action and interpersonal relations. In this context, conducting an ethical research project, as suggested by Harris (2022), could help address the shortcomings of nations in executing the Sendai Framework.

In an ideal world, such execution might be feasible. However, Eskelinen (2021) contends that the notion of a utopia regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals contrasts with a reality where nations determine “what could be… and what is” (Eskelinen, 2021).

The dynamics of politics and social good, while not entirely opposed, create friction in setting global standards (Eskelinen, 2021; Uchiyama et al., 2021). Morality is assessed against resource constraints, reputation, and external pressures that necessitate completing projects on time and within budget (DePoy & Gitlin, 2020; Harris, 2022; Heres & Lasthuizen, 2012; LaFollette, 2000).

The United Nations and the global stage might benefit from academia’s use of principlism, as DePoy and Gitlin (2020) described. Principlism includes respect for individual rights, the intent to do the right thing, avoidance of harm, and fairness. Adopting principlism could lead to what Wallace and Sheldon (2015) refer to as Ethical Universalism, which, if achieved, could serve as the foundation for an ideal society. 

 References:

DePoy, E., & Gitlin, L. N. (2020). Introduction to Research (6th ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences.

Eskelinen, T. (2021). Interpreting the sustainable development goals through the perspectives of Utopia and governance. Forum for Development Studies, 48(2), 179–197. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039410.2020.1867889

Harris, S. R. (2022). How to Critique Journal Articles in the Social Sciences. SAGE Publications, Inc. https://doi.org/10.4135/9781071878743

Heres, L., & Lasthuizen, K. (2012). What’s the difference? Ethical leadership in public, hybrid and private sector organizations. Journal of Change Management, 12(4), 441–466. https://doi.org/10.1080/14697017.2012.728768

Uchiyama, C., Ismail, N., & Stevenson, L. A. (2021). Assessing contribution to the Sendai Framework: Case study of climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction projects across sectors in Asia-Pacific (2015–2020). Progress in Disaster Science, 12, 100195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pdisas.2021.100195

United Nations. (2015). Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction 2015—2030.

United Nations. (2023). The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition. United Nations. https://doi.org/10.18356/9789210024914

Wallace, M., & Sheldon, N. (2015). Business research ethics: Participant observer perspectives. Journal of Business Ethics, 128(2), 267–277. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-014-2102-2

James is the owner of Imagine Pacific Enterprises and the Editor of Imagine Pacific Pulse (IMPULSE). He is a retired Lt Col, Hawaii Air National Guard. Former medical administrator, planner, program manager, and operations officer. Graduated from the USAF Air War College and is currently a Ph.D. student in the in Troy Global Leadership Program. He can be contacted at jfaumuina@troy.edu