For the World Economic Forum, held in Davos from January 28 to February 1, 2009, the Global Risk Forum GRF Davos has taken the initiative to run an exhibition booth with a number of activities in close proximity to the Davos Congress Center. The primarily aim was to inform WEF participants about GRF Davos and its goals and to raise awareness for the importance of disaster and risk reduction and for climate change.

GRF Davos was acting as local organizer of a “refugee run”, a very moving event in which people 'step into the shoes' of the world's 33 million refugees. For this event, GRF Davos was partnering with two groups: the UNHCR, the United Nations' High Commissionariat for Refugees, and Crossroads Global Village, a Hong Kong based NGO.  The refugee run provided GRF Davos the opportunity to not only raise awareness for the refugees and for emergency situations, but also to stress the importance of a holistic risk reduction approach along the whole risk circle with prevention, preparedness, early warning, intervention, and recovery.

Besides the refugee run, GRF Davos in partnership with the British Council also organized a discussion with a group of young climate change activists.  Together with its partners from Harbin, China, GRF Davos also organized a snow sculpture exhibition to sensibilize visitors to climate change issues.

Engaged discussions with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, with the High-Commissioner for Refugees, Antonio Guterres, with Sir John Holmes, UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, and with CEOs of a number of globally acting companies who visited the booth and the various events, confirmed the importance of a holistic risk reduction approach and are encouraging proof for GRF Davos to continue its challenging vision and strategy.

>>>Follow the links on the left for more information and pictures.