October 13: The Decisive Moment Returns to Schools with “When Everything Shakes”
A new adventure in understanding seismic risk and how to reduce its impact
On October 13, for the fourth consecutive year, the latest issue of the comic book series The Decisive Moment, dedicated to seismic risk, will be distributed to middle schools throughout Italy. This date marks the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction, promoted by the United Nations to highlight the importance of prevention, risk awareness, and preparedness as essential tools for protecting people and communities.
When Everything Shakes takes students on a new adventure blending suspense, riddles, and discovery. Katja, Paolo, Carlo, and Samira find themselves facing an unexpected challenge that will make them see their surroundings in a whole new light. Through clues, choices, and moments of reflection, they will discover how hazard, vulnerability, and exposure combine to determine the level of risk, and why knowledge is the first step towards reducing risk and its impacts.
As with previous issues in the series, the reading experience is enhanced by multimedia content accessible via QR codes embedded in the comic’s pages. Videos, insights, and educational materials allow students and teachers to explore the themes addressed in the story and delve deeper into behaviors that can help reduce the effects of risks.
The comic book will be presented on October 16 at 10:30 a.m. as part of Civil Protection Pathways, an event organized by the Department during National Civil Protection Week at Piazza di Siena in Villa Borghese, Rome. Students from several middle schools will attend the event, where they will have the opportunity to meet the authors and delve deeper into the themes at the heart of the story. Following the launch, there will also be a book-signing session, during which students can receive an autographed copy of the comic.
The Decisive Moment is a project led by the Civil Protection Department and promoted by the Minister for Civil Protection and Maritime Policies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Merit. It aims to foster a culture of prevention and preparedness among younger generations.