Melbourne 16 October 2015—UN-Habitat , RMIT University of Australia and other partners have come together to offer a new Master of Disaster, Design and Development (MoDDD) course. Starting in July 2016, the course for the first time brings together faculty from diverse disciplines, to provide advanced learning to students wanting to engage in the complex environment of urban risk reduction, reconstruction and resilience building. Consequently on October 6, 2015 UN Habitat’s Chief of Risk Reduction and Resilience Mr. Dan Lewis, gave a keynote address to a gathering of RMIT University faculty, students, and partners during the launch of the course. UN Habitat is one of several organizations associated with this degree, bringing content and learning opportunities focused on how cities build resilience to multiple, often overlapping shocks and stresses. The launch of the MoDDD, coincided with the launch of a book by the RMIT academics, Dr. Esther Charlesworth, and Dr. Ifte Ahmed titled “Sustainable Housing Reconstruction, Designing resilient housing after natural disasters”. The book explores through a series of nine case studies, methodologies and practice illustrating new thinking and approaches to ensure post-crisis shelter and housing efforts endure for the benefit of their recipients. MoDDD launch_8.10.2015photos by_Georgia Quinn_020The visit by Mr. Lewis was part of a ‘Visiting Fellowship’ programme hosted by RMIT, and as part of a partnership agreement between UN Habitat and RMIT. It included a lecture on resilient reconstruction with students in RMIT’s Shelter and Settlements course, and a keynote introduction in the ‘Fragile Planet Symposium’ among other events during his visit. Find out more on MoDDD and how it can assist your organization and enhance your career development http://www.rmit.edu.au/programs/mc251