ALVO as a Tool for Strengthening the Capacity of the Different Groups Responsible for Volcanic Risk Reduction in Latin America

AGUSTO M; BUSTOS E; JACOME PAZ M; RODRIGUEZ L; FORTE P

Montreal

Congreso; IUGG 2019 Montreal - IAVCEI Symposia; 2019

The Latin American Association of Volcanology (ALVO) was created in 2010 in Colombia, in a regional framework, which has similar sociocultural characteristics and scientific challenges for volcanology. ALVO recognizes the fundamental importance of the interactions among the different actors responsible for the implementation of Disaster Risk Reduction programs in all the Latin American territory. It has sponsored andcoordinated activities and training programs to contribute in the professional formation of their members, and with special emphasis in the new generations. ALVO has organized two meetings of Latin American observatories (2015 and 2018; Peru), in collaboration with local, regional and international institutions. These have gathered representatives from more than 20 institutions in 11 countries. In recent years, ALVO has also joined with the group of Young Latin American Volcanologists to develop an internship program for students and young volcanologists in volcano observatories. The activities have strengthened cooperation among institutions, at the same time that they have allowed the participants to share experiences and analyze existing advances and flaws, including the need for instances of scientific discussion for the volcanological community and the need to include the decision makers and civil protection institutions in the discussion. The impact of the different events is highly positive at the regional level, not only strengthening the development of the discipline, but also in perspectives of the improvement of the quality of life of the people at risk. In this work we present an overview and analysis of the activities implemented by ALVO in recent years.