ABSTRACT
This introductory chapter introduces a participatory action Research-to-Innovation on emergency preparedness education through community radio which took place in rural North India in 2014. A brief account of how and why the author conducted this research in pursuance of her doctoral work at the Da Vinci Institute of South Africa and the Trans4m Center for Integral Development of Geneva Switzerland is explained. Each of the subsequent chapters is summarized.
The author demonstrates how the stage was set for her commitment to this research through her own pursuit of resilience as a person with disabilities. Details about the causes and consequences of disasters, the specific geographic and cultural context of the research and the integral theoretical approaches that were used to conduct it are explained. The outcomes included a series of programs aired on community radio stations that raised the awareness of listeners about their contribution to their own vulnerability to disasters. Mitigating steps taken by community members are examined and future applications of the work in economic resilience is explained. Of particular note are the examples of community-building activities conducted by members of the Bahá’í Faith, elaboration of the principles of economics from the Bahá’í Holy Writings and Bahá’í consultation as an important tool for building local capacity toward the creation of resilient communities.
