Can we avert violent conflicts and wars in the future? How can we prevent the growing numbers of refugees in the world? This book stresses a systematic approach to the collection, processing, analysis and evaluation of information. Key issues include: the manner in which the concept of early warning is translated into methodological approaches: identification of root causes of disputes and conflict situations; selection of indicators; determination of methodologies; use of new technologies; possible development of networking; and the search for conditions for possible settlement of conflicts.