Peacebuilding via ODR - ADRhub - Creighton NCR2024-03-28T19:19:47Zhttp://www.adrhub.com/forum/topics/peacebuilding-via-odr?feed=yes&xn_auth=noBryan - an excellent question…tag:www.adrhub.com,2011-02-02:4905899:Comment:76552011-02-02T16:53:06.000ZRuha Devanesanhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/RuhaDevanesan
<p>Bryan - an excellent question: "how can peace builders encourage governments potentially threatened by these efforts to refrain from using crippling tactics that don’t allow ICTs to work?"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I believe that it is really difficult for peacebuilders (on the citizen, NGO or governmental level) to make much difference when things come to a head like they have in Egypt and Tunisia and governments are engaging in emergency-response tactics like shutting down ICTs to curb what they see…</p>
<p>Bryan - an excellent question: "how can peace builders encourage governments potentially threatened by these efforts to refrain from using crippling tactics that don’t allow ICTs to work?"</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I believe that it is really difficult for peacebuilders (on the citizen, NGO or governmental level) to make much difference when things come to a head like they have in Egypt and Tunisia and governments are engaging in emergency-response tactics like shutting down ICTs to curb what they see as destabilizing and security-threatening acitivity. I think what we, as peacebuilders, must focus on is <strong>preventing</strong> the escalation of grievances to a point where people feel revolutions must take place in order to get their governments to listen. Part of this prevention is creating systems and processes through which governments are <strong>aware of</strong> and <strong>responsive to</strong> the growing grievances of their citizens. I think its in both the interest of these government and their citizens to address these problems before the boil over into street protests and public unrest. It's a complicated issue and I'm not suggesting I have the one answer as to <em>how</em> governments can be more responsive, but recent events have shown that they <em>must</em>.</p>
<p><br/> <br/>
<cite>Bryan Hanson said:</cite></p>
<blockquote cite="http://adrhub.com/forum/topics/peacebuilding-via-odr?commentId=4905899%3AComment%3A7640&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4905899Comment7640"><div><p>Ruha, I am glad you brought this discussion back to the front of our minds. The recent events in Egypt had me thinking of the work you are doing, as well as organizations like Soliya. I was very surprised when I heard that internet and cell phone services were being cut and blocked and thought how quickly this can become a compromising situation for these types of movements. I think the question you raise, “how the use and uptake of ICTs by populations such as these can be channeled towards positive, non-violent grievance-reporting to their governments, and, just as crucially, positive and non-violent response to these grievances by their governments.” is important to consider, but another question surfaces in how can peace builders encourage governments potentially threatened by these efforts to refrain from using crippling tactics that don’t allow ICTs to work? Thanks again for your comments and I wonder what others think in light of the current situation.</p>
</div>
</blockquote> Ruha, I am glad you brought t…tag:www.adrhub.com,2011-02-01:4905899:Comment:76402011-02-01T18:32:14.000ZBryan Hansonhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/BryanHanson
<p>Ruha, I am glad you brought this discussion back to the front of our minds. The recent events in Egypt had me thinking of the work you are doing, as well as organizations like Soliya. I was very surprised when I heard that internet and cell phone services were being cut and blocked and thought how quickly this can become a compromising situation for these types of movements. I think the question you raise, “how the use and uptake of ICTs by populations such as these can be channeled towards…</p>
<p>Ruha, I am glad you brought this discussion back to the front of our minds. The recent events in Egypt had me thinking of the work you are doing, as well as organizations like Soliya. I was very surprised when I heard that internet and cell phone services were being cut and blocked and thought how quickly this can become a compromising situation for these types of movements. I think the question you raise, “how the use and uptake of ICTs by populations such as these can be channeled towards positive, non-violent grievance-reporting to their governments, and, just as crucially, positive and non-violent response to these grievances by their governments.” is important to consider, but another question surfaces in how can peace builders encourage governments potentially threatened by these efforts to refrain from using crippling tactics that don’t allow ICTs to work? Thanks again for your comments and I wonder what others think in light of the current situation.</p> Eric - great question. As th…tag:www.adrhub.com,2011-02-01:4905899:Comment:76372011-02-01T18:12:48.000ZRuha Devanesanhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/RuhaDevanesan
Eric - great question. As the events of the Jasmine Revolution have been unfolding in Tunisia and Egypt, I've been thinking about 'ripeness' a lot. Uptake of information, communication and technology (ICTs) in whatever forms they may be used by citizens of developing countries is a HUGE indicator of ripeness. The citizens of Egypt and Tunisia are relatively highly literate (literacy rates are in the 75% range for both countries) and the Egyptian government has been involved in ICT-building…
Eric - great question. As the events of the Jasmine Revolution have been unfolding in Tunisia and Egypt, I've been thinking about 'ripeness' a lot. Uptake of information, communication and technology (ICTs) in whatever forms they may be used by citizens of developing countries is a HUGE indicator of ripeness. The citizens of Egypt and Tunisia are relatively highly literate (literacy rates are in the 75% range for both countries) and the Egyptian government has been involved in ICT-building for years. The result is a young population that is comfortable with using the internet to communicate about their grievances with each other and the rest of the world. The resulting action (the protests in the streets) demonstrates the incredible power of online interaction to have real-world effects. The question the conflict resolution community is how this use and uptake of ICTs by populations such as these can be channeled towards positive, non-violent grievance-reporting to their governments, and, just as crucially, positive and non-violent response to these grievances by their governments. In my opinion, the ODR and ADR community has a LOT to think about and discuss, given the events of the past week! <br/>
<br/>
<cite>Eric Cissell said:</cite><br />
<blockquote cite="http://adrhub.com/forum/topics/peacebuilding-via-odr#4905899Comment4085"><div>Hello Cyberweek attendees! We're looking forward to an excellent discussion on Technology in Peacebuilding. Last evening, Jeff Aresty and Ruha Devanesan shared Internet Bar Organization's micro-commerce justice initiatives which successfully use ICT for enabling community based rule of law and development in Haiti and Afghanistan. To begin our discussion today, I'd like to build on the material shared by Jeff and Ruha. If you happened to miss the live webinar or would like a refresher, the presentation is available [<a rel="nofollow" href="http://adrhub.com/forum/topics/live-webinar-internet-bar">here</a>].<br/> <br/>
One of the elements discussed by Jeff and Ruha was the "ripeness for alternative commercial and dispute resolution mechanisms in Haiti and Afghanistan." The question I'd like to propose initially is:<br/>
<br/>
What are examples of indicators that can measure the "ripeness" for technology and alternative dispute resolution mechamisms in an underdeveloped region of prolonged conflict?<br/>
<br/>
In addition to responding to the intial question above, please do not hesitate to post an introductory message about yourself, your interest in the application of technology in peacebuilding, as well as your questions and/or experiences.</div>
</blockquote> Hi again
As Mac said in a pri…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-29:4905899:Comment:43612010-10-29T16:43:07.000ZJeff Arestyhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/JeffAresty
Hi again<br />
As Mac said in a prior post, there is a link to our ning website (from the U Mass class I currently teach on Law and the WWW which Ethan Katsh invented and taught for many years) where we will be going over different aspects of these issues from a legal perspective and with a "PeaceTones" focus. Of course, I hope that many of us will stay engaged on this website created by the Creighton folks as well after Cyberweek ends.<br />
<br />
The UN picked up on some of our work in a much broader report,…
Hi again<br />
As Mac said in a prior post, there is a link to our ning website (from the U Mass class I currently teach on Law and the WWW which Ethan Katsh invented and taught for many years) where we will be going over different aspects of these issues from a legal perspective and with a "PeaceTones" focus. Of course, I hope that many of us will stay engaged on this website created by the Creighton folks as well after Cyberweek ends.<br />
<br />
The UN picked up on some of our work in a much broader report, which you can find here:<br />
<br />
attached<br />
link: <a href="http://www.unctad.org/ier2010" target="_blank">www.unctad.org/ier2010</a><br />
<br />
Thanks!!<br />
I'm off to the airport.<br />
<br />
Jeff Hi Kaitlyn.
Recently there as…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-29:4905899:Comment:43602010-10-29T16:23:12.000ZBill Wartershttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/BillWarters
Hi Kaitlyn.<br />
Recently there as a big dust-up over some software named Haystack that was intended to promote secure, uncensored communication in Iran. It got a lot of hype and was fast-tracked by the U.S. government, but then proved to be insecure and perhaps putting dissents in more danger than without it. So...people may be feeling a little "gun shy" so to speak in this area. Here's a…
Hi Kaitlyn.<br />
Recently there as a big dust-up over some software named Haystack that was intended to promote secure, uncensored communication in Iran. It got a lot of hype and was fast-tracked by the U.S. government, but then proved to be insecure and perhaps putting dissents in more danger than without it. So...people may be feeling a little "gun shy" so to speak in this area. Here's a <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/sep/17/haystack-software-security-concerns/print" target="_blank">link to a story that covers the Haystack controversy</a> after the weaknesses in it were revealed.<br />
<br/>
<br/>
<cite>Kaitlyn Mulligan said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://adrhub.com/forum/topics/peacebuilding-via-odr?commentId=4905899%3AComment%3A4355&xg_source=msg_com_forum#4905899Comment4353"><div>Hi Jeff,<br/> I completely agree with your statement - the political leaders have a large impact on what access is actually provided to citizens. We saw this with the 2009 presidential election in Iran where complete Internet access was cut off because people were reporting on government-provoked violence for those who did not support the incumbent regime. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made it known that providing open communication through the Internet is a top initiative for peace keeping, and for bringing awareness to violence in areas that still allow it.</div>
</blockquote> Thanks for providing those re…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-29:4905899:Comment:43552010-10-29T15:40:22.000ZKaitlyn Mulliganhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/KaitlynMulligan
Thanks for providing those resources. I do have a question based on some of the information that I've seen on the ICT4Peace website - they mention that one of the biggest things that is holding their organization back is the lack of mobile communications in many of the areas they reach (especially Sri Lanka). As you mentioned from the presentation, "mobile phones may help us locate, map and connect local community-based conflict resolution processes with more centralized state-run efforts."…
Thanks for providing those resources. I do have a question based on some of the information that I've seen on the ICT4Peace website - they mention that one of the biggest things that is holding their organization back is the lack of mobile communications in many of the areas they reach (especially Sri Lanka). As you mentioned from the presentation, "mobile phones may help us locate, map and connect local community-based conflict resolution processes with more centralized state-run efforts." What about the countries that have previously limited this kind of technology in the past? Those are the countries that are most likely to need mobile phone technology, but could be the most restrictive for access. Has there been any research into how this technology could reach citizens in countries that may not allow as much access? Hi Jeff,
I completely agree w…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-29:4905899:Comment:43532010-10-29T15:33:58.000ZKaitlyn Mulliganhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/KaitlynMulligan
Hi Jeff,<br />
I completely agree with your statement - the political leaders have a large impact on what access is actually provided to citizens. We saw this with the 2009 presidential election in Iran where complete Internet access was cut off because people were reporting on government-provoked violence for those who did not support the incumbent regime. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made it known that providing open communication through the Internet is a top initiative for peace…
Hi Jeff,<br />
I completely agree with your statement - the political leaders have a large impact on what access is actually provided to citizens. We saw this with the 2009 presidential election in Iran where complete Internet access was cut off because people were reporting on government-provoked violence for those who did not support the incumbent regime. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made it known that providing open communication through the Internet is a top initiative for peace keeping, and for bringing awareness to violence in areas that still allow it. We didn't have to go far this…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-28:4905899:Comment:43322010-10-28T23:50:55.000ZJeff Arestyhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/JeffAresty
We didn't have to go far this past summer to find an example of the formal structure resisting access to technology: on the way back from Kabul, we spent a day in the UAE, where the newspapers were reporting on the government's decision to shut down Blackberry use, because messages were encrypted, and it prevented them from 'seeing' what they needed to. Eventually, I believe, that decision was overturned. The point is that we will have to deal with the formal sector since at some level, whether…
We didn't have to go far this past summer to find an example of the formal structure resisting access to technology: on the way back from Kabul, we spent a day in the UAE, where the newspapers were reporting on the government's decision to shut down Blackberry use, because messages were encrypted, and it prevented them from 'seeing' what they needed to. Eventually, I believe, that decision was overturned. The point is that we will have to deal with the formal sector since at some level, whether it is through internet access, or mobile device distribution/registration, they have the means to 'control' access. The key is to make the process of linking the formal and informal sectors through technology a mutually beneficial process. Jeff, an area that intrigues…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-28:4905899:Comment:42552010-10-28T17:07:39.000ZBryan Hansonhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/BryanHanson
Jeff, an area that intrigues me from your presentation is in relation to the silk road project in Afghanistan. The level of connectivity that is opening up through the use of cell phone technology seems to provide a doorway to justice for much of the world population. We also saw the power of this technology play out in the previous Iran election, in terms of providing some level of accountability to those who oppressed and committed violations to a segment of the population. My question is how…
Jeff, an area that intrigues me from your presentation is in relation to the silk road project in Afghanistan. The level of connectivity that is opening up through the use of cell phone technology seems to provide a doorway to justice for much of the world population. We also saw the power of this technology play out in the previous Iran election, in terms of providing some level of accountability to those who oppressed and committed violations to a segment of the population. My question is how have you dealt with the resistance from the formal structure when it may be beneficial to them to restrict access to this technology? I'd suggest that we not get t…tag:www.adrhub.com,2010-10-28:4905899:Comment:42142010-10-28T13:53:11.000ZDaniel Raineyhttp://www.adrhub.com/profile/DanielRainey
I'd suggest that we not get too hung up on the piracy issue at the expense of the peacebuilding benefits of a project like PeaceTones and Haiti Sings. Is there piracy? Sure. Will there always be piracy? Yep. I am all in favor of doing everything we can to protect the intellectual property of the participants in projects like PeaceTones, but there is a benefit that, at least as far as I'm concerned, outweighs the risk of having "product" stolen online. One of the driving forces behind the idea…
I'd suggest that we not get too hung up on the piracy issue at the expense of the peacebuilding benefits of a project like PeaceTones and Haiti Sings. Is there piracy? Sure. Will there always be piracy? Yep. I am all in favor of doing everything we can to protect the intellectual property of the participants in projects like PeaceTones, but there is a benefit that, at least as far as I'm concerned, outweighs the risk of having "product" stolen online. One of the driving forces behind the idea of PeaceTones is to create an environment in which people from stressed communities (conflict, post conflict, disaster, etc.) can work together toward a goal, create value from their own work or ideas, and enhance social cohesion in the process. If no music is ever sold, or if some is "stolen," that benefit still remains.