New Information Communication Technologies for Conflict Prevention and Management

The Impact of New Information Communication Technologies on Conflict Prevention and Management Ángela-Jo Medina [email_address]

The Digital Divide

Why is the relationship between nICT and conflict important? Information Society Accessible Technology Role of nICT

Characteristics of nICT

Border free: It extends beyond the confines of national identity.

They offers the synchronized interaction of an unlimited number of individuals through a decentralized web.

They are non discriminating among users.

In general, they are not subject to censorship.

The cost per message is practically nonexistent.

Their reach is unlimited.

The Conflict Cycle

Role of nICT in Conflict Prevention

To help address:

Underlying or root causes that create the conditions that are necessary for a conflict to develop.

Triggers and Proximate causes that fuel escalation and determine if and when a conflict will turn violent.

EcoSandals.com

PeopLink.org

UN Global Information and Early Warning System

African Virtual University

Gyandoot Project

nICT can be also used to:

Organize and Mobilize

Coordinate Activities

Increase Transparency & Accountability

Influence Public Opinion

nICTs can also be used to:

MONITOR

nICT in Conflict Management

Provide simultaneous panoramic views of conflict situations.

Educate about conflict as it occurs.

Contextualize the reality of conflict.

Users participate in the informational process

Strengthen the articulation of networks and interest groups

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Equipo Nizkor

Tech4peace

Free Burma Coalition

Reconstruction

nICTs and Human Security: E-health

Reconciliation

nICTs aid in:

Confidence/trust building

The creation of shared spaces for dialogue

The promotion of cooperation.

Changing the erroneous perceptions that lead to conflict.

Conclusion

In the prevention and management of conflict nICTs can be used to:

provide punctual sources of economic development and income.

predict and control crises

provide support for deficits in social services, such as health and education

assist in local capacity building

disseminate conflict related information

create solidarity and action networks

plan and coordinate activities

The complete article can be found in:

Information Communication Technologies (6-Volume Set) : Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications. Van Slyke, Craig (EDT). Information Science Reference. Chapter 20, p. 3784

Medina, Á. (2007). New ICTs for Conflict Prevention and Management” in H. Rahman, PhD. (Eds), Information and Communication Technologies for Economic and Regional Development. (Chapter 4). Hershey, PA: Idea Group Publishing.