Early Warning in Action: Leveraging Data and Technology for Violence Prevention

Policymakers, academics, and peacebuilders are increasingly integrating data and emerging technologies in their work to support more timely and effective responses to violence in all its forms. At the same time, organizations are integrating data-informed early-warning systems differently within their decision-making processes. This session brings together leaders in the field to examine how early-warning systems are embedded within different institutions, what it takes to make data-informed prevention operationally useful, what the limitations and trade-offs of current approaches are, and how institutions and practitioners are adapting to evolving policy and operational realities. The panelists will explore the tools, methodologies, and institutional approaches they employ to integrate data and technology into conflict prevention, monitoring, and foreign policy. The discussion will touch on themes related to institutional uptake, operational integration, local ownership, sustainability, and cross-sector collaboration. By connecting scientific innovation with operational experience, the panel aims to identify practical pathways for strengthening collaboration across sectors, strengthening the role of data and technology for decision-making processes, and advancing more responsive, inclusive, and context-sensitive approaches to violence prevention and early action. Dr. Marius Hofmann, Desk Officer for Crisis Early Warning, German Federal Foreign Office Aurora Bergmaier, Policy Officer for Early Warning and Conflict Prevention, EEAS Dr. Olli Ruohomäki, Senior Advisor, Political Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs for Finland Fraser Alcorn, Conflict Analysis Lead, United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK FCDO) ​Moderator: Johanna Poutanen, Head of Inclusion and Digital Innovation, CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation (moderator)