Complementary to training activities, CDP designed fora, round table discussions, conference/workshops and study tours to facilitate interactive learning. Starting in 1997 with a Forum on El Nino, 12 other fora and round table discussions on urgent and relevant issues on disasters and development were undertaken up to 2001. Topics covered included lahar scenario in Central Luzon, appropriate food in emergency situations, disaster management trends, land use planning towards disaster prevention, preparations for La Nina in 1998, the Philippines state of disaster preparedness, Christian perspective in disaster management, humanitarian aspects of the Mindanao crisis, and disaster vulnerabilities in the Marikina Valley environs.

Even in the facilitation of sessions on CBDRM in international workshops, CDP used popular and participatory approaches to engage audiences and strengthen commitment to undertake and institutionalize community involvement in disaster management, particularly in preparedness, mitigation and prevention. CDP was one of the facilitators during the South East Asia Region Disaster Management Practitioners’ Meeting held in Da Nang City, Vietnam from 13 – 15 November, 2001 and the Regional Workshop on Best Practices in Disaster Mitigation held in Bali, Indonesia on 22 – 24 September 2002 organized by ADPC, CITYNET, Institute of Technology Bandung, National Coordinating Board for Disaster Management Indonesia, The Urban Governance Initiative UNDP, UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, and United States Agency for International Development.

Study tours to communities and local government units with CBDRM activities and projects were facilitated by CDP for Oxfam Cambodian partners, Oxfam-Hongkong, municipal mayors of Gaibandha and Tongi partners of CARE-Bangladesh, Camiguin local government personnel, and participants of ADPC regional courses held in the Philippines.