Ahead of the risk: Ecuador holds its 2nd National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action

Ahead of the risk: Ecuador holds its 2nd National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action

When it comes to facing risk, Ecuador is choosing to act early. Bringing together voices from the public, humanitarian, academic, private and community sectors, the country recently held its 2nd National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Action. This was led by the World Food Programme and co-led by the National Risk Management Secretariat (SNGR), the Ecuadorian Red Cross, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and Practical Action.

This second edition follows on from the 1st National Platform on Anticipatory Action, held in 2024, and with it, Ecuador reaffirmed a path that began years ago: learning, discussing and reflecting on the role that institutions and communities play in building, shaping and implementing anticipatory action, and its influence at the national level.

The central moment of the day was the presentation of the National Guide on Anticipatory Action (Guía Nacional de Acciones Anticipatorias (AA) en Ecuador), the result of years of joint work among public institutions, humanitarian organizations, academia and communities. This guide was shared with attendees as a tool that seeks to institutionalize the anticipatory approach in the country. Its handover, sealed with a symbolic signature, marked a milestone on the path towards its sustainability.

From the global to the national level

The event included a session offering a view spanning from the global landscape to the national implementation of anticipatory action. This was led by Carlos Aldana, representative of the Anticipation Hub in the Americas, in dialogue with the Ecuadorian Red Cross. Drawing on experience gathered across different countries, participants shared lessons learned and reflections on how to adapt these approaches to the Ecuadorian context.

One of the most significant moments was the panel discussion, 'Communities in the lead: a dialogue on anticipatory action'. This placed the voices of those who drive risk management from the territories at the centre, highlighting the fundamental role communities play in implementing anticipatory action.

A shared roadmap

The event closed with the presentation of next steps and a roadmap for consolidating anticipatory action in Ecuador, built in a participatory manner among public institutions, humanitarian organizations and the communities present. As in the 1st National Dialogue Platform, the underlying message was clear: anticipatory action in Ecuador is now an approach advancing step by step towards becoming a sustainable public policy.