Risk management at Geneva canton

What is the focus of the Geneva risk management presentation?

How the Geneva government identifies, assesses, and manages risks.

How is Switzerland structured politically?

One federal government, 26 cantons, and over 2,200 municipalities.

How many people live in Geneva?

Around 500,000 people, 40% of whom are not Swiss.

How many public workers are there in Geneva?

About 17,000 full-time, or 40,000 including schools and hospitals.

What key bodies exist in Geneva's government?

Departments, Court of Auditors, Cantonal Government, Parliament, Judiciary.

Who leads Geneva's risk management structure?

The President of the Government and the Chief Risk Officer (CRO).

Who helps with risk management?

Ministers, secretaries, internal audit, civil protection, and the RMQ office.

What is the legal basis for risk management in Geneva?

The Constitution, laws like LGAF and LSurv, and manuals and regulations.

What are the main goals of Geneva's risk management?

Make risk useful, use governance, build a risk culture, and stay simple.

Should all risks be avoided?

No, some risks are acceptable if the benefit is greater.

What is the role of top management in risk governance?

To set strategy and decide on major risks.

What is the role of staff and middle managers?

To manage risks in their area.

What is the purpose of a risk matrix?

To rate risks based on impact and likelihood.

What does a risk matrix help decide?

Who handles the risk and how serious it is.

What are common types of risks in Geneva?

External, financial, safety, service delivery, legal, and reputation risks.

What is a strategic risk example in Geneva?

Multinational companies leaving due to tax changes.

Why was the tax change risky for Geneva?

Losing companies would mean fewer jobs and less tax revenue.

What is an example of operational risk?

Losing or damaging Geneva's historical archives.

What is the solution for protecting archives?

Build a new secure archive center.

How does risk reporting work?

Each department reports in March, risks are reviewed and grouped by May.

Who is responsible for handling each risk?

The designated risk owner (usually department heads).

What is external risk reporting?

Reporting risk to organizations outside the Geneva government.

What is Business Continuity Management (BCM)?

Planning how to keep vital services running during a crisis.

What questions does BCM ask?

What’s vital? What if it stops? How do we recover?

What are examples of vital public services?

Hospitals, police, schools, IT systems, emergency numbers.

Who needs a Business Continuity Plan (BCP)?

Services that impact people and need to restart fast with no backup.

What does Geneva focus on in crisis planning?

What goes missing (e.g. staff, IT), not just the cause.

What is ORCA-GE?

A crisis unit that coordinates emergency decisions and services.

What does 'Winter is Coming' refer to?

Uncertainty and the need to be prepared for future crises.