DEOS (DEvelopment Observatory System) was designed for setting up an independent system for global/regional/subregional development observation, including identifying the risks of state collapse, complex disasters and potential conflicts.

Observatory means a sustained (that is, repeated at regular intervals), standardised effort to gather data from a variety of sources on a set of developments experienced by the object under observation, including life-cycles of stability and destabilisation, conflict occurrence and/or warning indicators pointing to the probable occurrence of conflicts (impending political and humanitarian crises) the way the weather forecast draws our attention to  approaching thunderstorms.

DEOS is a multi-functional, integrated, informational-analytical system with an unrestricted number of users and with objectives as follows:

• to combine empirical research with the further development of concepts, methods and theories;
• to provide a service for reliable information, analysis and strategic response that promotes co-operation between UN bodies, IGOs, governments, NGOs, and academic institutions, strengthening the collective capacity for prevention, contingency planning and effective response;
• to elaborate strategic policy alternatives for decision-makers.

History

DEOS was initiated in the form of national program in the context of Russian response to the threats of national/human security in 1995. However, success of pilot projects in Russia has prompted interest of other countries.
In 1995 - 1997 major focus of the DEOS Programme was to evaluate conceptual and operational background for the international co-operation.
Since 1997 second stage of DEOS' activities has started with regular set of seminars, conferences and workshops with the objectives:

• to test certain conceptual conclusions within the framework of new theory building;
• to test group of early warning indicators;
• to evaluate operational methods and mechanisms to deal with destabilisation and prevent unpredictable and uncontrolled destabilisation with possible violent conflict outcome;
• to build regional/local analytical capabilities for risk assessment, conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

     Current Field Research Initiatives

     SUBPROJECT 1:
     The Baltic Sea Region
(northwestern Russia, including Karelia, St. Petersburg, Kaliningrad, Pskov, Novgorod, the Baltic states, the Nordic countries, Poland and Germany)

     SUBPROJECT 2:
     The Black Sea - Caspian Sea Region
(Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Iran, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Romania, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece)

     SUBPROJECT 3:
     The Caucasus 
(Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, South Russia, North Caucasus)

     SUBPROJECT 4:
     The Japan Sea - Okhotsk Sea Region 
(Far Eastern Russia, Japan, China, South Korea)

     SUBPROJECT 5:
     The School of Conflict Prevention