Seminar "Who Prepares When Everyone Prepares? Responsibility and Readiness in Times of Crisis"

On 10 March, from 12:15 to 13:45, a seminar "Who Prepares When Everyone Prepares? Responsibility and Readiness in Times of Crisis" will be held in room 205 at Lossi 36 and on Zoom. Seminar is organized by University of Tartu, Risk & Resilience Research Group.

When the state and local governments must function under hazardous conditions, an inevitable question arises: who is responsible for preparedness? Is readiness primarily a state obligation, or does it begin withindividual awareness and action? Resilience is not only an institutional matter – it emerges from the interaction between public authorities and citizens, and depends on how responsibility for coping with hazards isunderstood and shared.

This seminar examines resilience from two closely connected perspectives. First, we focus on the continuity of local governments and communities under wartime conditions, reflecting on the lessons learned fromUkraine. We then turn to the question of public preparedness and responsibility, exploring how the Nordic and Baltic countries conceptualize citizens’ roles in preparing for and mitigating hazards.

“War Is Also a Form of Living: Lessons on Local Government and Community Resilience from Ukraine”

Kristjan Kostabi, Crisis Coordinator, City of Tartu

Ukraine’s experience demonstrates that even under the most severe conditions, society must continue to function – especially at the local level. The continuity of local governments and communities, the maintenance of critical services, and the continuation of education and social welfare are not merely administrative issues, but central pillars of civil protection. This presentation introduces practical lessons from Ukrainian municipalitieson sustaining essential services and supporting communities during hazardous conditions.

“Plans, Promises, and Practice: The Gap in Hazard Preparedness”

Dr. Minna Lundgren, Assistant Professor, Mid Sweden University

This presentation explores how public preparedness is understood in the Nordic and Baltic countries and how different societal groups – including vulnerable populations – perceive their responsibility for preventing and coping with hazards. Drawing on national surveys and policy analysis, it highlights the gap between official expectations and actual levels of preparedness.

Seminar is organized by University of Tartu, Risk & Resilience Research Group. For more information: Kati Orru, [email protected]

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