Risk Management is an intrinsic part of everyday life in a free-market economy.
A sensible approach to Risk Management and uncertainty requires practitioners
who are well-trained and responsible. This is one of the most important lessons
from the current global financial crisis and a compelling reason for intensifying
risk management research.
I am very pleased to welcome the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft’s (DFG) decision
to renew the special research project „Ökonomisches Risiko“ at Humboldt
Universität zu Berlin. With this decision the DFG highlights not only the timely
relevance of the topic, but also recognizes the significance and quality of previous
work of participating researchers at Humboldt-Universität, Freie Universität,
Technische Universität and the Weierstrass Institute. This project renewal is an
honor for our scientific community in Berlin, our excellent universities, and our
proven capacity for cooperation.
After the hopefully imminent recovery from the current crisis the global financial
system will remain vulnerable to risk and uncertainties, which will be difficult to
estimate and may entail further challenges. I am confident that the research continuing
in the second phase of the special research project „Ökonomisches Risiko“
will discover new and useful insights. Every step towards increased security in the
evaluation of economic risks is a victory for the decision makers in economics and
politics. Above all, the present crisis teaches us that knowledge and insights are
not enough. One must also be prepared and have the confi dence to implement this
knowledge to minimize risks and strengthen security.
In this sense I wish the involved researchers within the special research project
„Ökonomisches Risiko“ continued success and insightful cooperation.
Klaus Wowereit
Former Mayor of Berlin
photo above © N-Schmitz, www.pixelio.de |