Risk analyses are among the permanent core tasks of management. This concerns not only everyday incidents and their damaging effects, but the principle "Think the Unthinkable" is gaining increasing significance in light of the global interconnection of politics, economy and environmental changes in conjunction with advances in communication and control technology. "Big Data" analyses and the use of "Foresight" technologies are essential tools in this regard.
Crises are defined as the escalation of developments with potential for damage. They arise from changes in the factors assessed in risk analysis that were not recognised in time or were misjudged. Managing crises requires highly trained personnel who can act flexibly even under pressure, an organisational structure adapted to the situation, and an international network of information sources to ensure current foundations for action.
Disasters are by definition events with damaging effects that cannot be managed with the available resources and capabilities. The damage they trigger may be spatially limited or of global impact. They affect populations, economies, states and regions equally and always require multidimensional actions within the framework of "Consequence Management". Well-developed countries and international communities of states generally have appropriate "Response Mechanisms" in place, but of decisive importance is a globally coordinated network of specialists and organisations that enables the actors to manage the consequences of the disaster. The involvement of business and politics is of crucial significance in this regard.
Decades of experience in this field in various national and international functions have led the founders of ZRK to devote particular attention to this area and the identified necessities.
