Global Risk Forum

The Global Risk Forum is a Switzerland-based foundation established in 2008. It strives for enhancing the know-how and knowledge exchange between all disciplines and stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction (management and prevention).

History

At the first International Disaster and Risk Conference in Davos (Switzerland) in 2006, the need to improve the collaboration and knowledge exchange between the different disciplines and stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction was identified. As a result, the idea for a foundation as means to achieving this aim was born. The 2006 conference was followed by a regional conference in Harbin, China, in 2007 and a Davos conference in 2008, which established the conference cycle of alternating Davos and regional conferences. The Global Risk Forum as a foundation under Swiss law was established in 2008.

Year

Location

Conference

2006

Davos, Switzerland

1st International Disaster Reduction Conference - IDRC Davos 2006

2007

Harbin, China

1st regional International Disaster Reduction Conference - IDRC Harbin 2007

2008

Davos, Switzerland

2nd International Disaster Reduction Conference IDRC Davos 2008 "Public-Private Partnership – key for integral risk management and climate change mitigation and adaptation"

2009

Chengdu, China

2nd regional International Disaster Reduction Conference IDRC Chengdu 2007 "Wengchuan Earthquake, the path forward"

2010

Davos, Switzerland

(in planning)

Though developing out of the conferences, the Global Risk Forum encompasses two other instruments, the Platform for Networks and the Risk Academy (for more information on the foundations structure see below).

The Foundation

GRF Davos is an independent, self-financing organization, based in Davos, Switzerland, and organized as a foundation according to Swiss foundation regulations with a Foundation Board and a Scientific and Technical Advisory Board. The Foundation Board is GRF’s legal, highest administrative organ. The GRF Scientific and Technical Advisory Board plays a leading role in providing guidance and advice on major strategic, policy-related and organizational decisions, in defining GRF’s work agenda and in assuring the quality of all of GRF’s deliverables.

Motto and Goals

Through its various activities GRF Davos aims at serving as a center of knowledge and know-how exchange for the application of contemporary risk management strategies, tools and practical solutions. Thus, GRF Davos aims at reducing vulnerability for all types of risks and disasters to protect life, property, environment, critical infrastructure and all means of business for the worldwide community on a sustainable basis.

The main goals of GRF Davos are:

  • To bridge the gap between science and practice
  • To promote the worldwide exchange of know-how and experience
  • To target solutions and promote good practice in integral risk management and climate change adaptation for an improved understanding, assessment and management of disasters and risks that affect human safety, security, health, the environment, critical infrastructures, the economy and society at large
  • To provide and manage a network for decision-makers, practitioners and experts from politics, government, IGO’s, business, science, NGOs, media and the public,

ultimately making contributions to the UN Hyogo Framework for Action and the UN Millennium Development Goals.