Disaster Readiness Summit with National Center for Disaster Preparedness

Join Columbia Climate School's National Center for Disaster Preparedness, sponsored by the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College, from September 22nd to 24th, 2026, for a multi-day summit focused on disaster readiness. Join us for morning and afternoon sessions to discuss AI for resiliency, trauma and disasters, and how we can create a lasting culture of disaster readiness across communities. To attend the event, please bring your ID (CU/Barnard ID are accepted).

Sessions will be led by partners such as the , NEC Labs, Twilio, Google, AT&T, and more!

If you are not affiliated with Columbia University, you must RSVP 48 hours before the day you are attending. If you are unable to RSVP by this time, you may not be permitted to enter, unless you have a CU/Barnard ID.

Select your ticket type by session:

• Anticipating and Acting before Disaster Strikes | Tuesday, September 22nd morning session, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Milbank Chapel
• AI 4 Development with GESI | Tuesday, September 22nd afternoon session, 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Milbank Chapel
• NCDP Student Showcase & Global Mental Health Lab |
  Wednesday, September 23rd morning session, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Milbank Chapel
• Two Way Communications in Disasters |
  Wednesday, September 23rd afternoon session, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Milbank Chapel
• Supply Chain & AI + Finance with GESI |
  Thursday, September 24th afternoon session, 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Schwarz Room

Refreshments will be provided.

Info: Anticipating and Acting before Disaster Strikes: Transparent Decision Making & Sovereignty for Climate Justice |

In this highly interactive session, participants will use actual project tools, inviting perspectives from high level leadership to nitty gritty implementers and explore how to move forward with the challenges in Anticipatory Action. Critically, we will work through ways that communities and local leadership can drive its design and operation.

Open to the public, register by Sept 18th. Sponsored by the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College.

Info: AI 4 Development & DR |
An afternoon dedicated to how AI can power sustainable growth — from enabling developing economies to advancing the circular economy, land, and water stewardship, and smarter cities. Featuring GeSI members, partners, and leading global institutions. Part of the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative's Impact in Action Series.
Sponsored by the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College.

Info: National Center for Disaster Preparedness Student Panel and Poster Showcase, 9:00 AM to 10:45 AM |

Professor Lena Verdeli, Associate Professor in Clinical Psychology, Chair of the Counseling & Clinical Psychology Department, Founder & Director of the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College. 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.

Info: Two Way Communications in Disasters: Going Beyond Alerts with Tribal Nations and New York City |

In this highly interactive session, participants be playing through new tools and strategies being discussed by Tribal Nations, communications providers, disaster experts, and cities working with students from impacted communities to explore future solutions.

Sponsored by the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College.

Info: Supply Chain & AI + Finance. Part of the Global Enabling Sustainability Initiative's Impact in Action Series. Located in the Schwarz Room. |

A focus on building resilient, sustainable supply chains and on the future of AI infrastructure — including impact measurement, investor expectations, and the evolving landscape of climate finance. Sponsored by the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College.
Sponsored by the Global Mental Health Lab at Teachers College.

Event venue & nearby stays

Teachers College, Columbia University, 525 West 120th Street, New York, United States

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