For a full report of the day's events, as well as copies of the presentations and photos, please refer to the bottom of this page.

Professor Renn addressed the policy dilemma at the heart of risk management which is that policies responding to the risk perceptions of lay people will over regulate, whilst those entirely based on scientific expertise may not be supported by the public. Three generic characteristics underlie the definition of risk: complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity. According to Renn, these characteristics are often confused in the public debate due to linguistic blurring of definitions. The factors that matter in assessing risk, he said, include not only the classic components, probability and potential for harm, but also criteria such as remaining uncertainties, ubiquity, persistence, delayed effects, equity violations (i.e. is the risk fair - or not - for all) and the potential for social mobilisation.

Definitions of precaution are varied - a general definition is an act of caution in the face of uncertainty. Three elements are always involved in the elaboration of the precautionary principle: the role of science; the role of legislation and the role of subjective interpretation. The EC Communication on the Precautionary Principle in 2000 laid down useful criteria for guidance. Renn defined five risk management strategies to cope with the different combination of complexity, uncertainty and ambiguity : routine risk; complex and sophisticated risk; highly uncertain risk; highly controversial risk; and risk involving 'clear and present danger' where fast response is needed. The goal of this exercise should be to avoid irreversible effects and to strive for resilience rather than optimal risk modelling. To identify the appropriate balance of precaution (i.e., between being too cautious and risking to impede innovation or being not cautious enough and hence risking to damage people and the environment) is best achieved via negotiation between the stakeholders involved. Finally, Renn concluded, the strategy of prevention is essentially risk crisis management to deal quickly with clearly intolerable risks.

A graduate from the "École nationale de la magistrature", Mrs Béatrice Patrie performed as a Judge for twenty years at the Ministry of Justice and the Paris Regional Court, as well as the President of the Saint-Quentin regional court. She has been a strong defender of individual rights, and as such undertook the role of Secretary-General, then President of the French Association of Judicial Officers, as well as Member of the administrative council of European Judicial Officers for Democracy and Freedom (1990-1994). Actively involved in politics since 1994, Mrs Patrie was elected to the European Parliament in 1999 as a member of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Policy. Mrs Patrie acted as Rapporteur for the Commission Green Paper on European Union Consumer Protection and Rapporteur for the Commission communication on the precautionary principle.

The European Policy Centre is a leading Brussels-based 'think tank' whose mission is to contribute to the construction of a Europe equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century by advancing the process of European integration. To achieve this, The EPC encourages a structured debate among all significant interest groups, and channels the results to policy-makers. The Better Regulation Programme integrates the work of the Centre on “better regulation” and other "risk-related" activities. It includes the Risk Forum; major projects and workshops, seminars and conferences.

Website : http://www.theepc.be

Co-sponsor: