Collective Memory as a Disaster Preparedness Instrument: A Cross-Country Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Collective memory has long been recognized as an essential element in shaping historical awareness, social identity, and community responses to traumatic events, including disasters. In the context of disaster risk management, collective memory serves not only as a reminder of past events but also as a source of learning and a driver of mitigation actions. This study synthesizes ten international studies that explore the role of collective memory in the context of both natural and social disasters. Using a qualitative approach based on a literature review of publications from 2019–2024, this research analyzes how the forms, functions, and challenges of collective memory are articulated in memorialization practices and risk reduction policies. The findings show that collective memory manifests through physical artifacts, community narratives, and digital practices, and can strengthen preparedness culture, psychosocial resilience, and social solidarity. However, collective memory is vulnerable to meaning erosion, narrative fragmentation, and political manipulation if not revitalized through participatory means. This study emphasizes the importance of integrating collective memory into curricula, public policies, and social media as adaptive strategies for facing new risks. Inclusive, intergenerational revitalization of collective memory is recommended as a pillar of sustainable disaster risk reduction policy.