Global Risk Forum GRF Davos

The Global Risk Forum GRF Davos is a Switzerland-based foundation established in 2008. It strives for enhancing know-how and knowledge exchange for the application of timely risk management strategies, tools and practical solutions between all disciplines and stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction (management and prevention).

GRF Davos aims at reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience for all types of risks and disasters to protect life, environment, critical infrastructure, property and all means of business for the worldwide community on a sustainable basis.

History

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

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

"From Thoughts to Action" by closely linking practice, science, policy and decision making in the search for sustainable solutions – this is the motto of the Foundation Global Risk Forum GRF Davos. Through its various activities GRF Davos serves as a centre 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 and increasing resilience for all types of risks and disasters to protect life, property, environment, critical infrastructures 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^[1] and the UN Millennium Development Goals.^[2]

Structure

The structure of GRF Davos is made up of three pillars:

• International Disaster and Risk Conferences IDRC (biennial IDRC Davos conferences, and regional conferences world-wide)
• Risk Academy (workshops, education & knowledge transfer, research and development, service products)
• Platform for Networks (know-how exchange)

Bibliography

• Ammann, J., Kux, C., Song, W., Tang, G., Wang, S., Zhang, J. (eds): Proceeding of International Disaster Reduction Conference. Strategy and Implementation of Integrated Risk Management. Harbin, 2007.
• Ammann, W.J., Amsicora Onnis, G., Morelli, E., Sutter, C. (eds.): Microinsurance. An innovative tool for risk and disaster management. Davos, 2010.
• Ammann, W.J., Custer, R., Sutter, C. (eds.): IDRC Davos 2010 Short and Extended Abstracts, DVD. Davos, 2010.
• Ammann, W.J., Dannenmann, S., Vulliet, L. (eds.): Risk 21. Coping with risks due to natural hazards in the 21st century. London, 2006.
• Ammann, W.J., Häkkinen, E., Hoffer, G., Poll, M. (eds.): IDRC Davos 2008. Short Abstracts. Davos, 2008.
• Ammann, W.J., Häkkinen, E., Hoffer, G., Poll, M. (eds.): IDRC Davos 2008. Short and Extended Abstracts, DVD. Davos, 2008.
• Ammann, W.J., Haig, J., Huovinen, C., Stocker, M. (eds.): IDRC Davos 2006. Short Abstracts. Davos, 2006.
• Ammann, W.J., Haig, J., Huovinen, C., Stocker, M. (eds.): IDRC Davos 2006. Short and Extended Abstracts DVD. Davos, 2006.
• Ammann, W.J., Helbig, N., Sutter, C. (eds.): IDRC Davos 2010. Short Abstracts. Davos, 2010.
• Global Risk Forum Davos: IDRC Davos 2008. "100 Ideas for Action" to support the Hyogo Framework for Action. Davos, 2008.
• Guijuan, T., Poll, M., Shanshan, Z., Shaoyu, W. (eds.): International Disaster and Risk Conference. Proceeding of China Wenchuan Earthquake. Special Plenary Session at IDRC Davos 2008. Beijing, 2008.
• Liu, N., Tang, G., Wang, S. (eds.): Proceeding of International Disaster and Risk Conference 2009. Chengdu, 2009.

References

External links

• Global Risk Forum Homepage
• International Disaster and Risk Conference Homepage
• UN ISDR Homepage
• Millennium Development Goals Homepage