The Applied Services Economic Centre (ASEC) was initiated in 1985 by the Geneva Association’s Founding Secretary-General, Orio Giarini, who was then concerned that not enough thought and attention was being directed to the steady evolution of modern economies and societies from agriculture and manufacturing towards a “services economy”, with all of the multiple and varied implications which that development might imply.

The Geneva Association jointly with its members is organising a series of regular events to promote the understanding about modern Risk Management in insurance and the role of the CRO. This is done through a series of workshops and studies and the initiatives in this area are chaired by Dr Bruno Porro, until January 2005 CRO and Executive Board Member of Swiss Re and since February 2005 Chairman of the CRO Networks of The Geneva Association.

The European Group of Risk and Insurance Economists (EGRIE) is a European-based non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting research on risk and insurance. This is mainly achieved through the organisation of scientific conferences and meetings, the publication of research materials and the creation of a contact network amongst the concerned parties.

The aim of the Silver Workers Institute (SWI) is to study the work environment of seniors (with a view to identifying problem areas which hamper full utilisation of this workforce) and to propose policy action – for companies and governments – in response to demographic change and to the challenge of expanding the productive capacity of our modern economies.

On the basis of a voluntary network, partly supported by The Geneva Association, The Risk Institute was established in order to extend the studies on the issues of risk, vulnerability and uncertainties to the broader cultural, economic, social and political levels of modern society.

The objects of the Centre are concerned not so much with academic research but with the practical problem of reducing fire waste. The main focus of its work, the collection, analysis and dissemination of internationally comparable fire cost statistics, is thus seen very much as a means to an end: persuading governments to adopt coherent fire strategies aimed at reducing national fire costs.

The Willis Research Network supports open academic research and the development of new risk models and applications. Our ethos is to provide an open forum for the advacement of the science of extreme events through close collaboration between universities, insurers, reinsurers, catastrophe modelling companies, government research institutions and non-governmental organisations.The WRN’s research programme is primarily focussed on the key issues related to climate and weather risks, including storms, floods and other extremes. The outputs of our research are designed to help businesses, insurers, governments, and public policy institutions identify and quantify their exposure to extreme events, and assist in the risk management decision-making process.

AGE Platform Europe is a European network of around 150 organisations of and for people aged 50+ representing directly over 28 million older people in Europe. Its work focuses on a wide range of policy areas that impact on older and retired people. These include issues of anti-discrimination, employment of older workers and active ageing, social protection, pension reforms, social inclusion, health, research, accessibility of public transport and of the build environment, and ICT. The Platform takes also active part in several EU projects.

RESER is a network of research groups and individuals active in services research and policy formulation, mainly located in European countries. The Association was established in 1988 at a time when service employment and industries were under-researched and there was a limited understanding of the role that services played in economic and social restructuring.

Knowledge@Wharton is a bi-weekly online resource that offers the latest business insights, information and research from a variety of sources. These include analysis of current business trends, interviews with industry leaders and Wharton faculty, articles based on the most recent business research, book reviews, conference and seminar reports, links to other websites and so on. The web site presents information in layers so that users can pursue their interests to whatever depth they wish. An in-depth searchable database of related articles and research abstracts allows access to information through simple mouse clicks.

The comprehensive research site on insurance and financial services.

Insurance Services Network (isn) was founded in 1996. The company provides: Country Insurance Guides, Insurance Research Letter – a monthly journal (since 1966), Weekly Highlights, Flash Reports – special updates on developing news, International insurance information including insurer & broker analysis and directories for insurance related websites.

ARIA is the premier professional association of insurance scholars and other thoughtful risk management and insurance professionals. Founded in 1932, the association\'s membership is comprised of academics, individual insurance industry representatives, and institutional sponsors. ARIA emphasizes research relevant to the operational concerns and functions of insurance professionals, and provides resources, information and support on important insurance issues. Its goals also include the expansion and improvement of academic instruction to students of risk management and insurance. ARIA \'s ability to provide networking, information, and support on important insurance issues makes it a valuable organization to its members. Those provisions come from a variety of awards, publications, and conferences, including The Journal of Risk and Insurance, Risk Management and Insurance Review, ARIA\'s Annual Meeting, and the annual Risk Theory Seminar.

The Aon Benfield UCL Hazard Research Centre provides a conduit for the transfer of cutting-edge natural hazard and risk research, practice, and innovation from the academic environment to the business world and government and international agencies. Through the rapid application of new research and practice, the Centre facilitates the improvement of natural hazard and risk assessment and the reduction of exposure to natural catastrophes.

Founded in Singapore in 1997, the Asia-Pacific Risk and Insurance Association (APRIA) is a global learned society for all academics, executives, researchers and government leaders with an interest in risk management, insurance, actuarial science and related areas. It provides multiple fora for members to share ideas and to engage in collaborative research, openly and in a sprit of helpfulness, for the ultimate benefit of the insurance industry. Two of the fora are the Asia-Pacific Journal of Risk and Insurance and APRIA annual Conferences. APRIA also works closely with other academic societies around the world, including the American Risk and Insurance Association (ARIA, the European Group of Insurance Economists (EGRIE)and The Geneva Association.

The Australian Risk Policy Institute is a non-political and non-profit organisation formed to promote and encourage greater focus on risk policy in leadership, decision-making and management across all sectors in Australia. Risk policy is the driver and pinnacle of risk management and must be clearly articulated by Boards and Executive Committees to ensure integrated risk management is optimised - for best-practice performance and sound corporate governance.

CURBE was established in 1997 to create a structure for interdisciplinary collaboration for disaster and risk research and application. Projects link the skills and expertise from distinct disciplines to understand and resolve disaster and risk issues, particularly related to reducing detrimental impacts of disasters. CURBE is based at the Martin Centre within the Department of Architecture at the University of Cambridge in eastern England. Close ties are maintained with many commercial and industrial partners to ensure practical and useful outputs from the research.

The Center for Insurance Research, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, provides an independent voice for reform in debates about insurance, banks, financial services companies and related public policy issues around the nation. CIR focuses on national and state issues of insurance and financial services regulation in a range of areas including: mutual conversions, health care, illegal discrimination, insurance accessibility, cost reduction, quality assurance, disclosure, corporate and regulatory accountability. CIR presents invited testimony before federal and state legislatures and agencies, conducts studies and initiates litigation on behalf of the public interest, sponsors public forums, and engages in public interest campaigns.

Founded in 1999 as a joint project of the University of Turin and the Compagnia di San Paolo, CeRP is the first research centre in Italy (and one of the first in Europe) with a specific focus on pension economics and the economics of ageing. Since 2006 CeRP is a research centre of the Collegio Carlo Alberto.

The Fire Protection Association is the UK’s national fire safety organisation, one of 28 similar national bodies worldwide. It was established in 1946 and has strong support from the insurance industry, primarily through the Association of British Insurers and Lloyd’s. The FPA’s mandate is to protect people, property and the environment by advancing fire prevention and protection techniques; to collaborate with its members, insurers, central and local government, the fire service and others in this work; to help focus national and international attention on such issues; to influence related decision-making of individual consumers and businesses; to collect, analyse and publish statistics, identify trends and promote research; to publish guidance, recommendations and codes of practice and to disseminate advice. In carrying out these functions, the FPA’s core departments are Publications, Training, Technical Consultancy and Membership.

The Gerontological Society for America is the nation\'s oldest and largest interdisciplinary organisation devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging has crossed a milestone. For the past 65 years, GSA has been committed to providing resources and opportunities for its members. Now in 2010, faced with a growing baby boomer population, the demand for aging-related professionals has accelerated. GSA continues supporting its members in this vastly changing environment.

The mission of the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) is to improve public understanding of insurance -- what it does and how it works. Today, the I.I.I. is recognized by the media, governments, regulatory organizations, universities and the public as a primary source of information, analysis and referral concerning insurance. In addition to direct contact with the media, individuals and organizations, the I.I.I. publishes a host of helpful pamphlets and books. The Institute does not lobby. Its central function is to provide accurate and timely information on insurance subjects.

AIDA is a non-profit making international association, formed in 1960, for the purpose of promoting and developing at an international level, collaboration between its members with a view to increasing the study and knowledge of international and national insurance law and related matters. It is AIDA’s aim to propose measures with a view to the insurance industry adopting them at a national and international level, leading to harmonisation of insurance law or means for resolution of insurance disputes. AIDA organises a World Congress once every four years, arranged by one (or more) of its National Chapters. Relevant papers and documents are consequently published. When considered useful, AIDA participates in international meetings such as conferences and symposia, co-operating with the other bodies involved. AIDA issues periodicals reporting on the association’s activities, including updates on National Section and Working Party activities, and developments in insurance law from around the world. Furthermore, AIDA has an interest in forming Working Parties and alliances with relevant institutions, including educational institutions, with the aim of researching and collaborating knowledge concerning insurance law and related matters, on an international and national level.

The International Risk Management Institute, Inc., now known as IRMI, was founded in 1978, primarily to educate risk managers, agents/brokers, and other insurance professionals through the use of seminars. In conjunction, risk and insurance publications were developed to provide what IRMI felt was much needed information in an evolving industry. So popular were these publications that by the mid-1980s, publishing had become IRMI primary focus. Today, IRMI publishes the most comprehensive risk and insurance library of any publisher. Their library has expanded to over 45,000 pages and is available in print and via IRMI Online. Their subscriber family encompasses thousands of risk professionals serving all industries in all parts of the world.

The Netherlands Institute for Safety Nibra (NIFV) plays a supporting, encouraging and guiding role as an authoritative centre of competence in preparing professionals for incidents, crises and disasters. NIFV develops expertise, contributes towards the professional development of the fire service, medical assistance in accidents and disasters and crisis management, and thereby enhances physical safety. The growing interest in fire safety and crisis management in contemporary society demands more thorough research and consultation. This has unmistakably led to substantial growth in research activities on the part of the Netherlands Institute for Safety Nibra.

The Norwegian Fire Protection Association is an independent, non-profit foundation that works to achieve a safer society. By providing information, training and counselling, the Norwegian Fire Protection Association assists individuals, businesses and organisations to take responsibility for their own fire safety. The Norwegian Fire Protection Association has undertaken this social responsibility since 1923. The organisation was established on the initiative of the insurance industry and the public authorities. It was founded because of a realisation that fires resulting in the loss of life and property had become a major social problem. The danger of fire will always exist. People make mistakes and technologies fail. Nevertheless, the Norwegian Fire Protection Association has a vision that fires should not occur as a result of human error or for technical reasons.

PwC firms provide industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to enhance value for their clients. More than 161,000 people in 154 countries in firms across the PwC network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

Risk Frontiers (formerly the Natural Hazards Research Centre) is regarded as a world leader in quantitative natural hazards risk assessment and risk management. Risk Frontiers, based at Sydney\'s Macquarie University, is a not-for-profit research organization sponsored by the Australian insurance community. For ten years, it has provided insurers, who are under ever-increasing pressure to minimise risks and maximise returns, with sophisticated research-based solutions. Other applications include emergency management, land use planning and floodplain management. As well as Australia, these tools are currently being used in Europe, North America and Asia.

The Terry College’s risk management-insurance program traces its formal beginning to 1965, and in a short period of time it has grown into the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the U.S. Terry’s risk management-insurance program is also one of the very best, having risen to the No. 2 spot in the country behind Wharton in current rankings from U.S. News & World Report. management and insurance professors. The program’s success has been bolstered by a strong relationship with its industry partners. The 2008 Risk and Insurance Careers Day attracted 68 employers to campus, and the annual invitational insurance managers seminar brings together dozens of industry executives who meet with Terry RMI majors to discuss current topics of interest in the field. The program maintains a very active job placement service for new alums — who, as they progress through their careers, are fiercely loyal in making sure that the next generation of RMI graduates is successful in finding positions in the industry.

The Risk Theory Society, originally founded in August 1963 as the Risk Theory Seminar, is a self-administered organization within the American Risk and Insurance Association (ARIA) whose purpose is to foster research into topics in risk theory and risk management. The Society accomplishes its mission by hosting an annual meeting where papers that have been distributed to members in advance of the meeting are presented and critically discussed in an extended time format. The Society\'s membership is small (less than 70 members) but diverse. Most of the Society\'s members are faculty members at universities in North America, although major European and Asian universities are also represented.

The Singapore College of Insurance (SCI) is a not-for-profit, industry-based training and professional education provider that was set up in 1974 in support of Singapore\'s aspiration to be a major international financial centre in the region. For over 30 years now, SCI has drawn on its passion for industry development and continuous learning in the fields of Insurance, Risk Management and Financial Services to build a strong international reputation for high quality, industry-relevant training and education programmes that cater to the learning needs of more than 450,000 industry professionals from all across Asia. Today, SCI is strategically positioned to lead the revolution towards greater professionalism in the industry by ensuring that its broad portfolio of qualifications, education, continuing professional development programmes and customised training solutions are consistent with and aligned to international best practice and competency standards expected of insurance and financial services professionals operating in an increasingly globalised market environment.

The Society for Risk Analysis is a multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, scholarly, international society that provides an open forum for all those who are interested in risk analysis. Risk analysis is broadly defined to include risk assessment, risk characterization, risk communication, risk management, and policy relating to risk, in the context of risks of concern to individuals, to public and private sector organizations, and to society at a local, regional, national, or global level.

The name \'The Institutes\' represents the combined brands of the American Institute For Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters—which is the full legal name—and the Insurance Institute of America. The American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (AICPCU) and the Insurance Institute of America (IIA) are independent, nonprofit organizations offering educational programs and professional certification to people in all segments of the property and liability insurance business. They respond to the educational needs of people in insurance and risk management to help them provide professional service to the public. More than 150,000 insurance practitioners around the world are involved in Institute programs.

The Center for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction Technology (CEDIM) is an interdisciplinary research center in the field of disaster management founded by Helmholtz Centre Potsdam - German Research Centre for Geoscience (GFZ), and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). The main goal of CEDIM is to advance the scientific understanding of natural and man-made hazards assessment and to develop disaster management solutions for the early detection and reduction of risk.CEDIM is dedicated to developing technologies and tools in the areas of risk communication, risk assessment and risk management using the interdisciplinary competence and synergies between its affiliated institutions as well as in cooperation with emergency management institution at Federal-, Land- and Community-Level. Research within CEDIM addresses how a changing climate, urbanization and an increasing world population will affect risk and vulnerability from natural and man-made hazards.

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) is the largest professional, actuarial organization in the world. It is dedicated to serving its 19,000 members, and the public. The SOA\'s vision is for actuaries to be recognized as the leading professionals in the modeling and management of financial risk and contingent events. The SOA is committed to: Education–Providing basic education in the fundamental principles of actuarial science, advanced education, professional development and continuing education for practicing actuaries; Research–Conducting research to develop studies of historical experience and techniques for projections into the future, analyzing the actuarial aspects of public policy issues and providing the foundation for further expansion of the profession; The Profession–Promoting high standards of professional competence and conduct within the actuarial profession.

The Pension Research Council (PRC) of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania is committed to generating debate on key policy issues affecting pensions and other employee benefits. The PRC sponsors interdisciplinary research on the entire range of private pension and social security programs, as well as related benefit plans in the United States and around the world.

UNiBA is one of the world’s largest independent providers of risk management, insurance broking and employee benefits services. Established more than 20 years ago, in 1987, UNiBA has evolved from a small group of young brokers concerned about their client’s foreign exposures to a global platform assisting clients in over 120 countries across the world. UNiBA Partners is built on old-fashioned values of commitment, integrity and trust. For UNiBA, these values are the foundation of quality and successful relationships. They are at the basis of their internal standards and Best Practices which all Partners are required to adhere to.

The Swedish Fire Research Board (BRANDFORSK) is the joint venture of insurance companies, industry, local authorities and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. Its brief is to initiate, fund and follow up various types of fire research. The work is under the leadership of the board of directors, and is undertaken in the form of projects at universities, research organisations and industrial enterprises. The Secretariat of BRANDFORSK shares the premises of the Swedish Fire Protection Association, SFPA, and the SFPA is the principal and the party which enters into agreement with the State.

The American College is a non-profit educational institution with the highest level of academic accreditation dedicated to leadership in innovative training and development for financial services professionals. Serving as a valued business partner to banks, brokerage firms, insurance companies and others for 80 years, The American College has assembled a faculty of the foremost thought leaders in the industry to help companies and their employees succeed.

The purposes of the Association are to promote education in risk and insurance; to encourage research in the field of risk and insurance; to publish such materials on risk and insurance as may from time to time seem appropriate in furthering the purposes of the Association; to provide an open forum for scholarly discussion of any matter relating to risk and insurance; and to cooperate with other organizations, both domestic and foreign, interested in furthering education and research in risk and insurance.

VUZF University is the first private university specialized in the area of finance, insurance and social insurance, management and marketing. The university was founded by Resolution of the National Assembly dated 25.07.2002 for the training of students in a Bachelor degree economic specialization and opens its doors to its first students at the beginning of the 2002/2003 academic year. VUZF was approved in 2007 by the National Agency for Assessment and Accreditation for the maximum six-year period and from 2008/2009 academic years it conducts studies in a Master degree program. The university has incorporated an educational system of the quality management of training and research, which has been certified by \'Moody International\' in accordance with the international quality standard ISO 9001:2000. In 2007 VUZF took 9th place in the Business Week ranking of the fifteen (15) best Business BA programs in Bulgaria. During the same year the university received an expanded Erasmus University Charter, which allows students to learn or practice in universities and institutions in member countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area.

The Western Risk and Insurance Association officially began on 24 August 1965 with an organizational meeting in San Francisco. The primary goals of the Western Risk and Insurance Association are to promote education and research in the field of Risk Management and Insurance.

Wharton\'s Insurance and Risk Management Department (Wharton University of Pennsylvania), the first of its kind in the world, approaches its field from a number of different perspectives: as a market, as a risk management technique, as a business, and as an instrument of public policy. Wharton faculty examine insurance against a background of accelerating change in the legal, regulatory, organizational, and economic environment in which businesses operate. Other risk management tools are evaluated from a financial management viewpoint. The Insurance and Risk Management Department also focuses on actuarial science, which includes life/health and property/casualty actuarial models, modern financial tools, employee benefits design, pension plan evaluation, and statistical methods applied to insurance and financial problems.

The purposes of the Congress are to stimulate corporate awareness and interest in risk-related research and to provide a forum for networking among academics and industry and government professional worldwide. Congress is open to \'all persons\' who share an interest in promoting education and research in the broad areas of risk and insurance. Except for their interest in the conference, preferably in the form of presenting a paper, no criteria are established for participant qualifications. European Group of Risk and Insurance Economists (EGRIE), Asia-Pacific Risk and Insurance Association (APRIA), The American Risk and Insurance Association (ARIA) and The Geneva Association jointly organize the meetings.

Hosted jointly by the University of Leeds and the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and chaired by Nicholas Stern, the Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy (CCCEP) brings together some of the world\'s leading researchers on climate change economics and policy, from many different disciplines. CCCEP was established in 2008, and is funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and Munich Re.

The National Association of Pension Funds Limited (NAPF) seeks to influence the outcome of, and pro-actively shape, UK pension policy to achieve a viable and sustainable workplace pensions sector that instils public confidence. This means for a fair and affordable pensions system and an environment that encourages good workplace pensions.

The Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience is harnessing the capacity of researchers from across Durham University to make a difference to how we live with emerging hazards and risks. Making a difference means moving beyond what we already do, to challenge the core assumptions, scientific, economic and social, about how we live with hazard and risk. This can only be done through critical engagements that bring together researchers from across the Natural and Social Sciences, Engineering, Health and Humanities.

The Heartland Institute is a national nonprofit research and education organization founded in Chicago in 1984. Heartland\'s mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to social and economic problems. The Heartland Institute produces six monthly publications on budget and tax issues, environment and climate, finance/insurance/real estate, health care reform, information technology and telecommunications, and school reform.

The Institute for Risk Management and Insurance of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich supports research and teaching activities in the area of risk and insurance.

Founded in Milan in 1987, Macros Research conducts surveys and researches in the area of Economics of Ageing with particular reference to their impact on the welfare State, pensions and health. Macros Research carries out research projects and studies according to a multidisciplinary approach in order to analyse and investigate – from both economic and financial perspectives - the management of economic and social risks in the public and private sectors. The main research areas focus on the following topics: Pensions and Welfare systems in Italy and the OECD countries; Private savings and public pension systems; The Elderly and the Labour Market; Long Term Care; Insurance Economics; Risk Management.

Avenir Suisse was founded in 1999 by 14 internationally operating Swiss companies and is this day assisted by over 100 supporters from each branch - major enterprises, SMBs and individuals. As an independent think tank designed after the Anglo-Saxon model Avenir Suisse is involved in promoting the social and economic development of Switzerland. Avenir Suisse defines relevant issues at an early point in time and shows where action is required. The think tank adds new impulses to the discourse and offers possible solutions. In order to carry out this task Avenir Suisse cooperates with scientific institutes inside and outside Switzerland, employs experts to carry out specific investigations and organises conferences and debates on various topics including insurance and pensions.

The Pembina Institute envisions a world in which our immediate and future needs are met in a manner that protects the earth’s living systems; ensures clean air and water; prevents dangerous climate change, and provides for a safe and just global community. Its mission is to advance sustainable energy solutions through innovative research, education, consulting and advocacy.

The Society of Insurance Research (SIR) was founded in 1970 to provide a forum for the free exchange of ideas in all areas of insurance research. It has expanded to marketing and planning, as well as research. The Society has since grown to include representation from many different organizations; insurance and non-insurance companies, government agencies, institutions of higher education, and trade associations. The activities of SIR are intended to provide opportunities to discuss current issues with fellow researchers and planners. These activities include an Annual Conference and business meeting, along with other seminars, workshops and local networking meetings.

The Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) is a well-established research institute, specialised in health economic analysis, which contributes to sound decision-making in health-care and to bridge the gap between health economic research and various actors in the health care sector. IHE was the first centre for health economics research established in Sweden.

Le Réseau d’Evaluation en Economie de la Santé, REES, est un bureau d’études spécialisé dans l’évaluation des technologies et des actions de santé. Il regroupe des évaluateurs professionnels : économistes, bio-statisticiens, économètres, informaticiens. Son objectif est d’intensifier les liaisons entre la recherche universitaire et les professionnels de santé en mettant à la disposition des différents acteurs, des techniques d’analyse et de suivi innovantes.

The Laboratoire d\'Economie et de Gestion des Organisations de Santé was created in 1973 and it brings together several researchers and lecturers. The Centre develops research activities, teaching and expertise in the field of economics within health and social sectors. The Centre\'s work is undertaken with the objective of understanding the macro economic implications of the ageing population. This is done by working on the economic aspects of ageing and by analysing social policies directed towards older people.

The Korea Insurance Research Institute (KIRI) was established to develop the insurance industry and the national economy. As a non-profit research institute, KIRI does extensive researches on advanced insurance systems that are consistent with global standards in order to cope with rapid changes in the insurance and finance industry.

Los objetivos principales de esta nueva asociación son servir de punto de encuentro y foro de debate respecto de los sistemas y metodologías utilizadas para la gestión, control, análisis y medición de los riesgos derivados de la actividad financiera, así como fomentar el intercambio de ideas, experiencias y contraste de opiniones sobre las mejores prácticas en esta materia. Asimismo entre sus objetivos está mantener contactos estrechos con autoridades reguladoras y otros organismos con esos fines.

Cineas è un Consorzio universitario che si pone come obiettivi la diffusione e il consolidamento della cultura del rischio attraverso l’erogazione di corsi formativi altamente professionalizzanti, l’organizzazione di convegni e la sensibilizzazione del mondo politico su queste tematiche.

The main aim of the Centre is to make the best contribution to the process of development of the professional actuarial education system and actuarial profession in Ukraine.

The study of regulation and regulatory governance is attracting an increasing attention in the field of political science. The standing group was founded in March 2005 by David Levi-Faur, Hebrew University, and Jacint Jordana, Pompeu Fabra University. The group\'s founding members and those who joined it subsequently believe that the study of regulation & governance is increasingly important topic in the social sciences. The aim of the group is to provide a platform and infrastructure for encouraging studies in this area and the creation of an institutional arena for mutual interaction and debate. However, as a Standing Group of the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), the main focus of the group will be on the political aspects of regulation. http://www.regulation.upf.edu/index.php?id=home

Since 1990, the European Flame Retardants Association (EFRA) brings together the leading companies which manufacture or market flame retardants in Europe. EFRA covers all types of flame retardants: chemicals based on bromine, chlorine, phosphorus, nitrogen and inorganic compounds.

The actuarial group of Leuven is doing research on Actuarial, financial and statistical aspects of dependencies in insurance and financial portfolios.

The Solvency II Experts Group is an independant non commercial group of specialists interested in exchanging expertise relating to the Solvency II Directive.

The CERA Enterprise Risk Management credential is the most comprehensive and rigorous globally-recognised Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) designation and is supported by 13 member associations in 12 countries worldwide, including many of the major economies.

ANRA è il punto di riferimento in Italia per la gestione dei rischi e delle assicurazioni delle imprese. ANRA è l\'associazione che dal 1972 raggruppa in Italia i risk manager e i responsabili delle assicurazioni aziendali. L\'associazione opera attraverso la sede di Milano e vari corrispondenti regionali.

The College of Insurance is part of the Insurance Institute of India.

The Actuarial Profession represents the members of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries externally, and regulates those members for the benefit of the outside world. The Institute and Faculty of Actuaries is the chartered professional body for actuaries in the UK.

Trans Canada Insurance Marketing Inc. (TCIM) is an insurance wholesaler and managing general agent that provides a wide range of insurance products to Canadian insurance brokers.

The Pensions Institute (PI) is the first and only U.K. academic research centre focused entirely on pensions research. The purpose of this centre is to serve as a clearinghouse for information on pensions, with particular emphasis on the U.K. system, and to publicize PI research and activities.

Assurances et gestion des risques, une revue universitaire, est publiée par HEC Montréal. Elle analyse l\'évolution de l\'assurance au Canada et à l\'étranger depuis 1932. Elle étudie, sous les angles théorique et pratique, tous les aspects reliés à la couverture et à la gestion des risques. Elle traite de la distribution et du droit de l\'assurance.

The lenghtening of the life-cycle is a key feature, even a revolutionary one, of contemporary society. The European Papers on the New Welfare offer a platform to discuss the origin and the future of this phenomenon, and the economic, cultural and social consequences.

The Journal of Risk and Insurance is the flagship journal for the American Risk and Insurance Association. The JRI is the most well recognized academic risk management and insurance journal in the world and is currently indexed by the American Economic Association\'s Economic Literature Index, the Finance Literature Index, the Social Sciences Citation Index, ABI/Inform, Business and Company ASAP, Lexis-Nexis, Dow Jones Interactive, and others. All back issues from volume one through the present minus the most recent three years are available on JSTOR.

This journal is the natural outlet for the best research in decision analysis, economics and psychology dealing with choice under uncertainty. The Journal of Risk and Uncertainty features both theoretical and empirical papers that analyze risk-bearing behavior and decision-making under uncertainty. The journal serves as an outlet for important, relevant research in decision analysis, economics, and psychology.

Risk Management and Insurance Review publishes respected, accessible, and high-quality applied research, and well-reasoned opinion and discussion in the field of risk and insurance. The Review\'s \'Feature Articles\' section includes original research involving applications and applied techniques. The \'Perspectives\' section contains articles providing new insights on the research literature, business practice, and public policy. The \'Educational Insights\' section provides a repository of high-caliber model lectures in risk and insurance, along with articles discussing and evaluating instructional techniques.

The Geneva Risk and Insurance Review is an international journal published by Palgrave Macmillan for The Geneva Association in annual volumes of two issues. Its purpose is to support and encourage research in the economics of risk, uncertainty, insurance and related institutions by providing a forum for the scholarly exchange of findings and opinions.

Founded by The Geneva Association in 1973, this prestigious journal leads its field, publishing papers which both improve the scientific knowledge of the insurance industry and stimulate constructive dialogue between the industry and its economic and social partners.

Journal specialised on insurance issues.

South Africa’s premier financial and advisory news and information portal.

Out of the Storm News is a new web publication of the Heartland Institute’s Center on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate. It was launched on July 19, 2010.

The Heartland Institute’s mission is to discover, develop, and promote free-market solutions to a wide range of social and economic problems. Heartland’s Center on Risk, Regulation, and Markets applies this three-step approach to finance, insurance, and real estate (FIRE) issues.

Financial Risk Management news and analysis.

Journal from Argentina specialised on insurance related issues.

Journal specialised on risk and insurance issues.

The online resource for enterprise risk management.

Airmic is a members’ association supporting those responsible for risk management and insurance within their own companies. It has nearly one thousand individual members who represent over 450 companies. Airmic provides research, training, networking, lobbying and market information for the benefit of members. It holds over forty events per year for its members, including its annual conference for over six hundred delegates

The ABI (Association of British Insurers) represents the collective interests of the UK’s insurance industry. The Association speaks out on issues of common interest; helps to inform and participate in debates on public policy issues; and also acts as an advocate for high standards of customer service in the insurance industry. The Association has around 400 companies in membership. Between them, they provide 94% of domestic insurance services sold in the UK. ABI member companies account for almost 20 per cent of investments in the London stock market.

The Association of the Insurance and Reinsurance Companies of Turkey is a specialist institution with the characteristics of a unique non-governmental institution established by law. All local or foreign insurance and reinsurance companies operating in Turkey are members of the Association. As of December 2005, the Association has a total number of 55 members, 53 of them being insurance companies and the remaining 2 being reinsurance companies.

Insurance Europe is the European (re)insurance federation. Its members are the national insurance associations in 34 countries, representing undertakings that account for around 95% of total European premium income. European insurers generate premium income of almost €1 100bn, employ nearly one million people and invest around €7 700bn in the economy.

IMSA stands for the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association. IMSA promotes high ethical standards in the sale and service of individually-sold life insurance, annuity and long-term care products. IMSA member companies are insurers who have agreed to adopt and abide by IMSA\'s Principles and Code of Ethical Market Conduct to earn your trust and gain your confidence. The IMSA seal conveys confidence—confidence in recommending the life insurance, and annuity and long-term care companies that have been successfully measured against IMSA\'s rigorous Principles and Code of Ethical Market Conduct. Companies that earn the IMSA seal have earned added credibility. It is the mark of integrity in the life insurance industry.

Créée en 1937, la Fédération française des sociétés d\'assurances regroupe 266 entreprises représentant 90 % du marché français de l\'assurance et près de 100 % de l\'activité internationale des entreprises de ce marché. Elle réunit des sociétés anonymes, des sociétés d\'assurance mutuelle et des succursales de sociétés étrangères pratiquant l\'assurance et la réassurance.

The Federation of Finnish Financial Services is a trade body that represents its member companies who engage in the financial services industry in Finland. The Federation was formed at the start of 2007 when The Finnish Bankers’ Association, the Federation of Finnish Insurance Companies, the Finnish Finance Houses Association and the Employers’ Association of Finnish Financial Institutions joined forces. The new Federation’s members employ a total of 40,000 persons and provide services to practically all Finnish companies and consumers. The size of the Finnish financial market, made up of deposits, insurance products, fund investments, lending products and employee pension assets, adds up to €370bn. Moreover, authorised pension insurers and workers compensation insurers, also members of the Federation, play a major role as providers of insurance cover that accounts for much of Finnish social security. The new Federation continues the lobbying work of the merged organisations in the former scope. The objective is not only to secure the industry a benign operating environment, well-functioning financial markets and effective payment systems but also to support new opportunities offered to member companies in the future.

The Berlin-based German Insurance Association (GDV) is the umbrella organisation for private insurers in Germany. Its 457 member companies, with about 226.000 employees and trainees, offer comprehensive coverage and provisions to private households, trade, industry and public institutions, trough more than 400 million insurance contracts. As a risk taker and major investor (with an investment portfolio of about 1.100 billion EUR), the insurance industry has outstanding significance in connection with investments, growth and employment in our economy. GDV articulates and represents the positions of the German insurance industry before society, politicians, businesses, the media and academia, working to achieve regulatory conditions which will allow insurers to perform their responsibilities in optimal fashion. At the same time, the Association is a source of expert information about all matters relating to the insurance industry, making available its wealth of experience and information to the public. GDV informs and supports its member companies as a service provider, identifies political and social developments of relevance for the sector and proposes solutions.

The mission of the Group of North American Insurance Enterprises (GNAIE) is to assist North American and global standard setters and regulators in cooperation with the global insurance industry and with insurance and other financial services industry trade associations: •To support high quality insurance accounting standards that are useful, understandable, comparable and reliable; that preserve the insurance industry’s level-playing field access to global capital markets; and that provide good disclosure to the insurance industry’s diverse constituencies; •To support high quality insurance solvency standards that provide useful and effective statutory solvency measures to protect the interests of policyholders and other stakeholders while encouraging competitive insurance markets; and •To enhance cooperation, education and communication regarding insurance accounting and solvency among the insurance industry’s standards setters, regulators, and diverse constituencies.

The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers (HKFI), a self-regulatory body of insurers, was established on 8 August 1988 to advance and promote the development of the insurance business in Hong Kong. Following its conversion to a limited company on 29 December 1994, the HKFI became a consolidated and streamlined organization that enjoys full recognition by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the representative body of an increasingly important industry. The insurance industry is one of the few industries in Hong Kong that enjoys a high degree of self-regulation complemented by the Government\'s prudent regulatory framework. While maintaining a frequent dialogue with the Commissioner of Insurance on legislative issues affecting the industry, the HKFI actively promotes and perfects its self-regulatory regime with an aim of improving the professionalism of and strengthening public confidence in the insurance industry. In May 1999, the HKFI adopted the Code of Conduct for Insurers, in order to promote good insurance practices among insurance companies and to strengthen public awareness of the expected standards of insurance services offered.

The International Federation of Risk and Insurance Management Associations (IFRIMA) is the international umbrella organization for risk management associations representing 24 organizations and over 30 countries throughout the world. With its roots going back to the 1930s and its development through the discipline of insurance and risk management, IFRIMA is uniquely positioned as a leader in risk management and its application. As an “association of associations”, IFRIMA’s primary objective is to provide a forum for interaction and communications among those associations and their members. In the past few years, IFRIMA has begun to translate that objective into specific activities that support the practice of risk management throughout the world, while taking into account the regional differences in its practice.

The International Underwriting Association of London (IUA) is the world\'s largest representative organisation for international and wholesale insurance and reinsurance companies. The IUA exists to promote and enhance the business environment for international insurance and reinsurance companies operating in or through London. The priorities of the IUA are to improve the efficiency of doing business in London; to advance the development of market expertise and innovation; to influence public policy and compliance developments; and to foster relationships with the broking community and other client-related stakeholders.

The Slovenian Insurance Association (formerly the Slovenian Insurance Bureau) is the commercial interest association of Slovenian insurance companies. It was founded in 1992. Membership of the Association is open to insurance companies involved in contract insurance which are registered in the Republic of Slovenia. Association membership is also open to other organisations where this is in the interests of the Association. The Association represents the common or individual interests of members and performs the tasks laid down by Slovenian regulations and international agreements. The SIA issues consent for the performance of other insurance transactions to individuals and organisations which have established business relations with any of its members; it resolves certain compensation claims; it collects, processes, publishes and supplies joint statistical data on insurance activities and their importance for the Slovenian economy; at the same time it organises educational seminars for members and performs other tasks of common importance. At present, the tasks are carried out by a 12-member professional service on the basis of resolutions of standing committees, committees and divisions and bodies of the Association, such as the assembly, council and the director. One of the most important tasks of the SIA is the fulfilment of obligations from international treaties and agreements concerning insurance issues not within state competence. Membership of the Association is voluntary and has grown continuously since it was established. The Association currently has 16 members.

Created in 1977, the Association of Spanish Insurers (Unespa) represents close to 300 insurance companies, or in other words, over 94% of the Spanish insurance industry. Unespa\'s role consists in representing, managing and defending the common interests of the member companies -interests which may be of a professional, economic or social nature- before individuals and entities of all kinds, public or private, national or international. In addition to this, Unespa represents its members\' collective interests in the field of industrial relations, and also provides value-added services, collaborates with institutions in insurance-related matters, and generally operates as needed to defend the interests of the insurance industry.

The General Insurance Association of Japan is currently composed of 23 member companies. Its objective is to promote the sound development of the non-life insurance industry in Japan: promotion of a better understanding of non-life insurance and supply of information about non-life insurance amongst the public; promotion of sound development and maintenance of the reliability of the non-life insurance industry; presentation of requests and proposals; response to social issues; loss prevention and traffic safety; international activities; response to environmental issues and promotion of NPO activities; and response to disasters.

A Federação Nacional das Empresas de Seguros Privados e de Capitalização - FENASEG, com sede e foro na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, é uma associação sindical, para fins de estudo, coordenação, proteção e representação legal do setor de seguros, previdência complementar aberta e capitalização. A FENASEG foi fundada em 25 de junho de 1951, por assembléia de delegados de cinco sindicatos de seguradoras: Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul e São Paulo. A entidade tem como objetivo promover o desenvolvimento do setor, definindo e defendendo seus direitos, e o representando politicamente. Atualmente, a FENASEG congrega os oito sindicatos de seguros privados, estabelecidos nos Estados da Bahia, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Santa Catarina e São Paulo. Estão afiliadas ao sistema 160 empresas, sendo que 143 operam em Seguro - destas, 28 operam também em Previdência Complementar Aberta, e 17 operam em Capitalização. Estas empresas respondem por 99,2% da arrecadação do mercado de seguros, previdência complementar aberta e capitalização.

La Federación Interamericana de Empresas de Seguros, FIDES, es una organización representativa de los aseguradores de Latinoamérica, Estados Unidos y España, que cuenta ya con más de 50 años de experiencia. Es una Federación sin ánimo de lucro que agrupa a las Asociaciones de aseguradores de 22 países en América Latina, Estados Unidos y la Península Ibérica. FIDES soporta a las asociaciones afiliadas en aspectos tendientes a solucionar inquietudes existentes o futuras con respecto al sector asegurador, así como en lo referente a las áreas de capacitación e información, globalización e integración multilateral. FIDES representa a más de 1,570 compañías de seguros de los países afiliados, que, al año 2004, generaron en la economía del continente, sin incluir a los EE.UU, un primaje de más de 116 000 millones de dolares, con una prima promedio per capita de 202 dolares. EE.UU por si solo tuvo una prima per capita promedio de 3 755 dolares. Contribuyendo así en el Producto Interno Bruto en un 2.76% más EE.UU con un 9.36%.

Fundación Mapfre is a Spanish institution set up in 1975 to promote and finance not-for-profit activities of general interest through five institutes specialising in Social Welfare, Insurance Sciences, Culture, Prevention, Health & the Environment, and Road Safety. The institution has widely promoted its work in Spain and Latin America, thus consolidating its commitment to development and progress in society. The institution publishes the La Fundación magazine to inform the public about its aims and the various kinds of projects in which it is involved. Fundación Mapfre is made up of five institutes: the Cultural Institute, the Social Welfare Institute, the Institute of Prevention, Health & the Environment, the Road Safety Institute and the Insurance Sciences Institute. The aim of the last one is to promote educational activities and research in the field of corporate insurance and risk management. In addition, the institute has set up a Documentation Centre specialised in insurance, risk management and safety.

The Munich Climate Insurance Initiative was initiated by Munich Re in response to the growing realization that insurance solutions can play a role in adaptation to climate change, as suggested in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol. The initiative is formed by insurers, climate change and adaptation experts, NGOs and policy researchers intent on finding solutions to the risks posed by climate change.

Established in 1994, the International Association of Insurance Supervisors represents insurance regulators and supervisors of some 190 jurisdictions. Since 1999, the IAIS has welcomed insurance professionals as Observers. Currently there are more than 120 Observers representing industry associations, professional associations, insurers and reinsurers, consultants and international financial institutions. The IAIS issues global insurance principles, standards and guidance papers, provides training and support on issues related to insurance supervision, and organises meetings and seminars for insurance supervisors. The IAIS works closely with other financial sector standard setting bodies and international organisations to promote financial stability. It holds an Annual Conference where supervisors, industry representatives and other professionals discuss developments in the insurance sector and topics affecting insurance regulation. An Executive Committee, whose members represent different geographical regions, heads the IAIS. It is supported by three main committees - the Technical Committee, the Implementation Committee and the Budget Committee. These committees form subcommittees and working parties (working groups, task forces and groups) to accomplish their objectives.

In 2006, leading insurers set out to work together to respond to the myriad risks and opportunities of climate change, aiming to reduce the overall risks faced by economies and societies. The ClimateWise initiative was launched in 2007 to crystallise, and build on, that leadership. ClimateWise is now facilitated by the University of Cambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership and operates as a sectoral initiative of The Prince of Wales\'s Corporate Leaders Group on Climate Change, driven by the insurance industry.

The General Insurance Association of Cambodia was established on 29th July, 2005 as a non-profit organisation and officially recognized by the Ministry of Interior on 14th October, 2005. Since the establishment, it has been engaged in following undertakings with the objectives of promoting and strengthening insurance and reinsurance companies and as well as the market as a whole in order to improve it from year to year to be a standardised Association in the region.

DIMA is the industry representative body for international insurance and reinsurance companies, insurance and reinsurance captives, and captive management companies, established in Ireland. The association – its full name is the Dublin International Insurance & Management Association – was set up in 1990, initially to represent captive managers, who formed the first wave of Ireland’s international re/insurance sector.

The IIS, founded in 1965, is the world’s largest and most prestigious industry organization, with almost 900 members representing global insurance leaders, international regulatory authorities and worldwide insurance scholars from over 90 countries. Its mission is to facilitate cross-border exchange of ideas, development of global personal networks and to initiate practical and original research addressing critical issues facing the industry through the Shin Research Excellence Awards program.

This institute has been established to strengthen the ASEAN regional financial co-operation in the area of human resource development in insurance. The idea was to close the gap between the more established insurance markets and the teething market in the region through the provision of necessary avenues and accessibility to education, training and research relating to insurance.

The European Environment Agency is an agency of the European Union. Its task is to provide sound, independent information on the environment. EEA is a major information source for those involved in developing, adopting, implementing and evaluating environmental policy, and also the general public. Currently, the EEA has 32 member countries.

Created in 1974, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) is now Europe\'s largest federation of environmental organisations with 140+ member organisations who gain their membership from the general public. Because of this, we are guided by the voices of 15 million European citizens, and act as the ears and voice of its members towards the EU decision makers. The EEB works on a vast array of environmental issues and using experts, scientists, the members, and politicians to work towards developing and protecting environmental policies.

The European Partners for the Environment is a multi-stakeholder forum bringing together public authorities, companies, trade unions, research institutes, environmental organisations, NGOs and civil society groups. Its mission is to improve cross-sectoral collaboration and joint initiatives to align business, capital, markets and society more closely with the sustainability agenda. EPE builds the ground for consensus on sustainability and serves as a catalyst, in Europe and around the world, to achieve into the future a better balance between the environmental, social and economic elements of life. The organisation brings together a wide range of players applying the concept of “Leadership Through Partnership” to advance system change towards resource efficiency and sustainable development.

Following the recommendations of the UN-ECE/FAO/ILO Seminar Forest, Fire and Global Change (Russia 1996) and a number of international conferences the UN- ECE/FAO Team of Specialists on Forest Fire proposed the establishment of an institution which at that time was preliminarily designated as a Global Fire Management Facility. On the basis of these recommendations the Government of Germany through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance, in June 1998 provided initial funding for the establishment of such an entity which was designated Global Fire Monitoring Center. The GFMC provides a global portal for wildland fire documentation, information and monitoring and is publicly accessible through the Internet. The regularly updated national to global wildland fire products of the GFMC are generated by a worldwide network of cooperating institutions.

Through its various activities GRF Davos aims at serving 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 for all types of risks and disasters to protect life, property, environment, critical infrastructure and all means of business for the worldwide community on a sustainable basis.

The International Finance Corporation (IFC) fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries. The goal is to improve lives, especially for the people who most need the benefits of growth. IFC\'s Insurance Services Group works with its investment teams to identify areas of risk or exposure their clients may face and help find ways to mitigate them.

The International Organisation of Pension Supervisors is an independent international body representing those involved in the supervision of private pension arrangements. The organisation currently has around 60 members and observers representing approximately 50 countries and territories worldwide.

OECD brings together the governments of countries committed to democracy and the market economy from around the world to support sustainable economic growth, boost employment, raise living standards, maintain financial stability and assist other countries\' economic development and contribute to growth in world trade. The Organisation provides a setting where governments compare policy experiences, seek answers to common problems, identify good practice and coordinate domestic and international policies.
Insurance and Pensions: www.oecd.org/insurance
Financial Markets: www.oecd.org/finance
Climate Change: www.oecd.org/env/cc
Risk Management: www.oecd.org/futures/risk for Risk Management

The Risklab Toronto is part of the international network of RiskLabs sponsored by Algorithmics to conduct university-industry research initiatives in the mathematical sciences for risk management. It provides the financial industry with a unique opportunity for addressing the sector\'s critical need for cutting edge research as well as for highly qualified personnel. Through industry sponsored projects, faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students can now develop interactions with practitioners from financial institutions in a way which may not be possible through more traditional academic programmes.

UNDP is the UN\'s global development network, an organisation advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of: Democratic Governance; Poverty Reduction; Crisis Prevention and Recovery; Environment and Energy; HIV/AIDS.

The ISDR aims at building disaster resilient communities by promoting increased awareness of the importance of disaster reduction as an integral component of sustainable development, with the goal of reducing human, social, economic and environmental losses due to natural hazards and related technological and environmental disasters.

WBCSD is a CEO-led, global association of some 200 companies dealing exclusively with business and sustainable development. The Council provides a platform for companies to explore sustainable development, share knowledge, experiences and best practices, and to advocate business positions on these issues in a variety of forums, working with governments, non-governmental and intergovernmental organisations. Members are drawn from more than 30 countries and 20 major industrial sectors. The Council also benefits from a global network of some 60 national and regional business councils and regional partners.

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. It is the UN system\'s authoritative voice on the state and behaviour of the Earth\'s atmosphere, its interaction with the oceans, the climate it produces and the resulting distribution of water resources. As weather, climate and the water cycle know no national boundaries, international cooperation at a global scale is essential for the development of meteorology and operational hydrology as well as to reap the benefits from their application. WMO provides the framework for such international cooperation.

Essentially, the WTO is a place where member governments try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other. The bulk of the WTO\'s current work comes from the 1986-94 negotiations called the Uruguay Round and earlier negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). The WTO is currently the host to new negotiations, under the “Doha Development Agenda” launched in 2001. The WTO agreements are negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations. They provide the legal ground-rules for international commerce.

EUMETNET EIG is a network grouping 26 European National Meteorological Services. EUMETNET EIG provides a framework to organise co-operative programmes between the Members in the various fields of basic meteorological activities such as observing systems, data processing, basic forecasting products, research and development, training. Through EUMETNET EIG Programmes, the Members intend to develop their collective capability to serve environment management and climate monitoring and to bring to all European users the best available quality of meteorological information

The well-being and security of future generations are more than ever dependent on everyone\'s actions and on the decisions being made today on environmental policies. To take the right actions, decision makers, businesses and citizens must be provided with reliable and up-to-date information on how our planet and its climate are changing. The European Earth observation programme GMES (Global Monitoring for Environment and Security) provides this information. GMES is an EU-led initiative.

The Joint Research Centre is the scientific and technical arm of the European Commission. It is providing the scientific advice and technical know-how to support a wide range of EU policies. Its status as a Commission service, which guarantees independence from private or national interests, is crucial for pursuing its mission. Many of the complex challenges ahead cut across traditional policy boundaries and require multi-disciplinary research. In order to deliver the best support, the JRC focuses its efforts on seven thematic areas, which respond to major EU and global challenges and take into account the JRC\'s proven competences: • Towards an open and competitive economy • Development of a low carbon society • Sustainable management of natural resources • Safety of food and consumer products • Nuclear safety and security • Security and crisis management • Reference materials and measurements.

There is a need of co-ordinated production of new knowledge, methodologies and processes, but improvement of industrial safety will also occur by a better transfer of existing knowledge towards the companies notably the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector and the newest members of the European Union, better training and education of all the actors concerned by the environmental and professional risks, and by the development of an ‘incident elimination’ culture. The European Technology Platform on Industrial Safety (ETPIS) will intensify networking and stimulate technological and organisational improvement in risk management. To create solid links and functioning networks and to engage with all stakeholders in the field of health and safety of the workers, protection of the environment and the prevention of major accidents, constitutes an ambitious challenge. The improvement of the situation will be benefit to European citizens, to industrial companies and to workers of several industrial sectors (processes, chemistry, manufacturing industry, construction…).

The International Centre for Financial Regulation (ICFR) is the only independent, non-partisan organisation to be exclusively focused on best practice in all aspects of financial regulation internationally. Operating in developed and emerging markets, it delivers its work through research, events and training, that seeks to be practical and focussed on outcomes.

The Climate Strategies mission is to assist governments in solving the collective problem of climate change. It convenes international groups of experts to provide a rigorous, fact-based and an independent assessment on international climate change policy. Climate Strategies aims to connect leading applied research on international climate change issues to the policy process and public debate, raising the quality and coherence of advice provided on policy formation. To effectively communicate insights into climate change policy, the organisation works with decision-makers in governments and business.

Following the motto \'Observing, Analysing, Acting\', Germanwatch has been actively promoting global equity and the preservation of livelihoods since 1991. In doing so, they focus on the politics and economics of the North with their worldwide consequences. The situation of marginalised people in the South is the starting point of their work. Together with their members and supporters as well as with other actors in civil society they intend to represent a strong lobby for sustainable development. They endeavour to approach their aims by advocating fair trade relations, responsible financial markets, compliance with human rights, and the prevention of dangerous climate change.

Global Action on Aging (GAA), based in New York at the United Nations, reports on older people\'s needs and potential within the global economy. It advocates by, with and for older persons worldwide. Global Action on Aging (GAA), a non-profit organization with special consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, was founded in 1994. GAA carries out research on critical emerging topics and publishes the results on its website. GAA staff and interns research aging policy and programs, both in the US and worldwide: income support, health access, and human rights. Interns post their research daily to our website, one of the largest in the aging field. GAA posts materials in all six UN official languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish. It monitors United Nation activity on aging through the \'Aging Watch at the UN\' web-section and documents the situation of older persons caught in armed conflict.

The International Federation on Ageing (IFA) is an international non-governmental organization with a membership base of NGOs, the corporate sector, academia, government, and individuals. IFA believes in “generating positive change for older people throughout the world by stimulating, collecting, analyzing, and disseminating information on rights, policies, and practices that improve the quality of life of people as they age”. Through its activities, IFA works to influence and promote positive change for older people globally.

The Kyoto Club is an Italian organisation whose members are business companies, associations, local municipalities and governments engaged in reaching the greenhouse gases reduction targets set by the Kyoto Protocol. To reach its goals, the organisation promotes awareness-raising in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and sustainable mobility. It organises training courses, legislative and technological workshops, conferences and seminars. The Kyoto Club puts policy proposals forward to public decision-makers to make their energy connected decisions more and more environmentally friendly.

The Club of Rome is a not-for-profit organisation, independent of any political, ideological or religious interests. Its essential mission is \'to act as a global catalyst for change through the identification and analysis of the crucial problems facing humanity and the communication of such problems to the most important public and private decision makers as well as to the general public.\'