Comparative Study on Risk Governance System
of AASA Member Countries (2006)

Project Leader:
Prof. KunMo Chung, President of the Korean Academy of Science and Technology
Project Coordinator:
Prof. Won K.Kim, Co-director of Institute of Science, Technology and Society of Myongji Universitry

It is frequently told that the risk of modern society has been evolving; it is getting complicated, larger, diversified and globalized.  Especially rapid development of modern science and technology may cause potential disaster to mankind as well as welfare to mankind.  At the same time modern society is changing from hierarchical society to network society.  No government can make its policy behind the closed doors.  The procedure of making policy should be open to the public and the politicians have to obtain public consent before they make a new policy.  Thus, we need to establish the new paradigm of risk management and communication.  Risk governance requires the following steps; risk identification, risk assessment, risk management and communication. 

As a result of study we found that the risk governance system does not exist in the most Asian countries.  And the numbers of natural and technological disasters are increasing globally and the portion of damage is relatively large in Asian countries.  We also found that the actual risk assessed from the statistics is different from perceived risk.  And the priority of the risk perceived by the public and the government was also different.  It can be also assumed that the risk must be perceived differently based on the peculiarity of the society.  Asian countries have much similarity in their society, and it must be different from Western society. 

Thus, it is strongly suggested to from a foundation where we can; discuss the risk governance issues, study and prepare for risk governance models, perform risk assessment at member countries with credibility, share information about the risk, educate the publics about the risk and mitigation measure, make out protocols and form a solid network for mutual trust, and develop the disaster protection policy together with other Asian countries. 

Action plans for a foundation (Asian Network for Trust) are; establish a fund for ANT, organize the ANT office,  appoint contact point from each AASA member countries, select initial projects and carry out the projects, and hold the forum and Invite the stakeholders from each countries.