Lecture - 'Human Behavior During Flood Disasters'
After the remembrance of the Flood Disaster, we will hold the symposium "Human Behavior During Flood Disasters." This symposium will take place in the auditorium of museum café Het Vijfde Caisson.
The goal of the symposium is to bring together people of different ages and backgrounds to discuss our behavior leading up to a disaster.
There is a limited number of places available. Please register in advance for the symposium.
How do people behave during a disaster? During the Night of the Flood in 1953, people were caught off guard by a combination of spring tides, storms, and weak dikes. Although some, like Johan van Veen, had been warning about possible floods for years, most officials seemed absent during the disaster. The population felt safe and saw no reason to take action. This had terrible consequences.
Today, similar situations occur. Climate change and rising sea levels lead to disasters and floods. Just look at Limburg in 2021 and Libya in 2023. Once again, young people and scientists are warning about impending dangers. Some of the population takes action, but others freeze or think it’s not a big deal.
How do we, as people, respond to the prospect of a flood disaster? What feelings does this prospect provoke, and how does it affect our thoughts, emotions, and behavior? And how can we, as a society, take action once we recognize the dangers? Through presentations and a panel discussion, we will explore these questions together.
Moderator/Chair: Esmee Sijnesael
Speakers:
- Xem van de Looff will discuss her grandfather Leen van de Looff’s experiences (owner of De Graaf van Buren café in Kortgene).
- Teun Terpstra, Professor of Resilient Deltas, will provide perspective on our actions regarding flood disasters.
- Jan Willem Anker, author of Boze Zomer, will recite a poem.
- Video message from the Delta Commissioner – Co Verdaas
- Video message with a perspective from Caribbean Netherlands by one of the Artists-in-Residence at the Watersnoodmuseum
- Dion Huidekooper, Chair of the Young Climate Movement, will talk about long-term concerns, how to act, and what gives young people hope.
Panel:
- Erik van Merriënboer, Chair of the Zeeland Safety Region and Mayor of Terneuzen.
- Dion Huidekooper, Chair of the Young Climate Movement.
- Merel Groot, Project Leader Challenge 2050: Zeeland Environmental Federation (ZMF).
- Marco Lengton, Practor Water, Scalda Goes.
Program
The schedule for the day is as follows:
- 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM: Remembrance at the Watersnood Monument next to the museum
- 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM: Symposium arrival + coffee/tea Caisson 1
- 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM: Symposium program
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Sandwich lunch in the Peter Hossfeld Room
Location
The day starts at the Watersnood Monument next to the Watersnoodmuseum.
Additional Information
This activity will be conducted in Dutch only.
