Risk- and Crisis-Management to secure Sustainable Development
Europe has troubles to find a concord between their nations to deal with the flow of refugees: Europe has lost empathic. The citizens are confused, frustrated, scared and angry about the hesitant “back and forth” decisions and actions of their politicians and institutions. It lacks for transparency, traceable identification, analysis, assessment and management of risks that may arise from the migration flow. Adequate risk- and crisis-management is missing. Each system and organization has its own risks, but it is fundamentally that they are accurately recognized and managed before a real threat or crisis arises. Risk management is essential and must be applied not only by politicians, experts, economists, but by the civil society especially NGOs to secure sustainable development regardless of whether it is a developed country, developing or emerging nation. Europa is currently in a crises situation associated with a decision-making problem (a dilemma!). No matter how politicians or institutions decide on, they encounter more often drawbacks, because the final decision commonly generates not only benefits but disadvantages too: the anxiety of the citizen and therefore voters, risk of creating a parallel society (sharia) or in a greater sense compromise with politicians regardless of whether they are appreciated, rejected or disliked. That means the politics or NGOs have to deal with diplomacy and stakeholder interests (smart engagement) if they like it or not. Contrary to risk management, the crisis management is concerned how with crisis (threats) before, at present or afterwards shall be dealt. Because NGO’s possess much experiences with refugees and other risks and crises around the world, they are predestined to support risk- and crisis management, to develop and improve it, and to initiate or support the process of transformation, inter alia, replacing obsolete systems that can no longer be maintained. The UN NGO Committee on Sustainable Development in Vienna/Austria and its associates are aware of the dilemma that politicians and institutions like the UNIDO and others encounter and is open to cooperate and support risk- and crisis-management and the process of transformation. To cope adequately with risks the rules (standards) of the risk-management should be applied to meet (sub-optimal) sustainable decisions and to act accordingly. A useful project to be recommended is to identify the most relevant indicators and associated risks for the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. In the event it runs not so well as planned, there is no unpleasant surprise, instead the execution of appropriate measures will prevent or reduce the chaos and minimize the crisis.The excuse that it was simple a surprise is no longer more an excuse!
Roland Leithenmayr VfV
NGO Committee on Sustainable Development Vienna 