This chapter draws together a selection of the key themes that recur in Section 3 of this book. One of the features of this section is that the authors focus on occurrences that are, statistically, uncommon. In terms of risk, these events are relatively moderate to low in probability but high in psychosocial impact. Thus, each of the serious events and types of incident covered in this section of the book pose threats to people, their families and communities, and to whole societies.

Perhaps, then, it might appear odd that the editors have selected these matters for inclusion in this book. Commentaries on them, which range from disasters through sectarian division and bloodshed to extremism, radicalisation and terrorism, are included in our quest for learning and inspiration in general terms as much as finding solutions to these and other circumstances that affect people.