Risk communication leadership

Theory, tools, and practical skills for communicating effectively

Type
Executive Seminar
Date
Monday, September 10, 2012 to Wednesday, September 12, 2012

In today’s world, where political, financial and economic unrest and scandals, natural disasters, nuclear accidents, and oil spills dominate and churn the waves of our global economic climate, the ability to effectively influence public perception of risk in an accelerated social media environment has become increasingly crucial to an organization’s success.

USI Università della Svizzera italiana invites you to spend two days in an engaging seminar that explores the roles of risk perception and communication, collaborating with like-minded executives, entrepreneurs, managers, regulators, and corporate communication professionals working in high-risk, high-reward industries, public service, or non-profit organizations.

Participants will come away equipped not only with a theoretical understanding of risk perception and communication, but also with the tools to craft effective organizational policies and internal and external messages that arise trust and credibility, ensuring that they will be able to better mitigate risk with effective communication and leadership.

Agenda

Sunday, September 9, 2012

Arrival and check-in to the Hotel Villa Sassa, Lugano

Welcome reception
 

Monday, September 10, 2012

09:00 Risk perception and communication — Löfstedt
An overview of the psychometric paradigm, heuristics and biases, and how risk perception evolved into risk communication.

11:00 Putting risk perception factors into practice — Löfstedt
In breakout sessions, groups will discuss how to implement risk communication programs – from choosing a site for a waste incinerator to building a nuclear power plant.

13:30 Lessons from the front line of risk communication — Podger
Risk communication from the perspective of a regulator who has been active in the environmental, food, and health and safety areas.

15:30 Risk communication and media – real world examples — Podger

17:15 Synthesizing learned information — Löfstedt and Podger

19:00 Evening program
Wine tasting at a local vineyard followed by dinner.



Tuesday, September 11, 20120

9:00 Risk communication — Löfstedt
Social amplification of risk, the role of narratives, and the importance of trust. How does one maintain trust and rebuild trust once it is lostö – Theories and examples.

11:00 Risk communication (continued) — Löfstedt
What are the issues that researchers are presently exploring in risk communication: gender issues, white male effect, mental models, deliberation, and role of risk comparisons.

13:30 Case study: the Acrylamide — Löfstedt
This case study focuses on the Swedish Food Administration and their handling of the so-called acrylamide alarm. Participants will be presented with the case and, in breakout sessions, explore different scenarios and develop a risk communication strategy applicable to the case.

15:30 Risk communication: future directions — Löfstedt
Focus on role of media (and social media), transparency, “new regulators,” and the importance of culture in risk communication.

Registration

Executive seminar fee
CHF 2,400

USI alumni
CHF 2,000

Fee includes

  • Tuition
  • Seminar materials
  • Certificate of partecipation
  • Welcome reception
  • Two lunches
  • Wine tasting and dinner

How to register

Registrations are processed in order of receipt. This seminar size is limited to 25 participants.

Registration is open. Click here to register.

For more information, contact marianne [dot] lucien [at] usi [dot] ch.


Cancellation policy

If the participant should cancel his or her registration for any reason, the following refunds will be granted:

a. A 100 percent refund of tuition will be granted for cancellations received on or before July 25, 2012.

b. A 50 percent refund of tuition will be granted for cancellations received on or before August 8, 2012.

No refunds will be granted for cancellations or no-shows after August 8, 2012. In the case of a cancellation by the participant, he or she will be charged with an administrative fee of CHF 200.

USI reserves the right to cancel or reschedule the seminar, change the location, and/or substitute the faculty or guest speaker. In the event that the seminar is postponed due to natural disaster or any other cause not within USI’s control, every effort will be made to reschedule. Any tuition payments made will automatically be applied to the rescheduled seminar. If you choose not to attend the rescheduled seminar, USI will provide a full refund of the tuition, less the aforementioned administrative fee, upon written request.

Location

Executive Center, USI Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano

Accommodation

Villa Sassa

Hotel & Residence
Wellness & Spa
****

We have negotiated a very special rate for Executive Seminar participants at the Villa Sassa Hotel one of the best hotels in Lugano. It is located in the hills with a splendid view of Lake Lugano, yet only a few minutes walking distance from the city center. Villa Sassa Hotel, Residence, and Wellness Spa are described as an “oasis of well-being.” After a long journey and an intensive day exploring risk communication, seminar participants can relax enjoying the Spa facilities (exercise equipment, sauna, jacuzzi, and indoor and outdoor swimming pools).
 

Superior Rooms
Single CHF 200.- (approximately EUR 167.-)
Double CHF 300.- (approximately EUR 250.-)

Reservations may be made directly on the hotel's website. In order to secure the special rate, you must mention the booking code “USI 2012”.
 

Reservation deadline is July 31st, 2012.

Travel

By plane:

Lugano (LUG) Airport
The most convenient way to get to Lugano from most places abroad is to fly into Lugano’s small international airport (Agno) via Zurich or Geneva with Swiss International Airlines or Darwin Air. If you book your flight well in advance, Swiss offers good prices from all major European cities.

There is a shuttle bus service between Lugano and Agno airport.

Not only will you experience one of the most scenic flights ever with a view of the Matterhorn – it is also totally stress free to check in and out at this little airport.
 

Milan Malpensa (MXP) airport
The major international hub for Lugano is Milan Malpensa Airport. All major European airlines (over 70 in total) operate direct flights to Milan Malpensa Airport several times per day, including low-cost carriers such as Ryanair and Easyjet. Shuttle busses (Jetbus, Malpensaexpress) run regularly between Malpensa and Lugano, making for a trouble-free journey. The shuttle trip takes 50 minutes (round-trip fare EUR 35).
 

Milan Bergamo Airport
Another option is Bergamo (Orio al Serio) airport, the local base for a large number of budget airlines. Bergamo is about 1 1/2 hours from Lugano by car. Alternatively, travellers can take a bus to Milan, and then catch a train to Lugano.

By train

Traveling by train in Switzerland is easy and reliable, thanks to one of the world’s best railway systems. Lugano lies right on the North-South axis with trains running between Milan (40 minutes to 1 hour) and Zurich (2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours) every hour. If you want to experience a picturesque journey, fly into Zurich and take the train to Lugano.

Check the Swiss National Railway website for national and international train connections.


By car
Lugano is served by the motorway axis that directly connects Northern Europe to the Mediterranean. We reccommend ViaMichelin to calculate the best route to and from Lugano.

Contact

Marianne Lucien \ Manager Program and Events \ Alumni relations
Communication Management \ Executive Education
USI Università della Svizzera italiana \ Via G. Buffi 13 \ CH-6900 Lugano
Phone +41 (0)58 666 46 05 \ Fax +41 (0)58 666 47 39 \ marianne [dot] lucien [at] usi [dot] ch