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Getting ‘real’ about virtual peace- building Information communication technology and the reintegration of ex-combatants. Guy Lamb Safety and Violence Initiative University of Cape Town.
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Getting ‘real’ about virtual peace-buildingInformation communication technology and the reintegration of ex-combatants Guy Lamb Safety and Violence Initiative University of Cape Town
If mobile phones (ICT) & Facebook can used to mobilise for revolution, can they be used to foster peace?
Massive expansion in global social media usage (millions of users)
Is there any relevance of ICT & social media for the reintegration of ex-combatants? • Ex-combatants are a key component of the peace equation in post-conflict societies • Greatest challenges facing ex-combatants are income generation & social reintegration into a non-military society • International organizations havedevoted billions of dollars to various programmes in Africa since the 1970s • Yielded modest results • Opportunities for different types of programming?
About the research • Commissioned by the TDRP, World Bank (2012/13) • Researchers: Guy Lamb, Orly Stern, Gregory Mthembu-Salter and Marina Reyskens • Qualitative case study: In-country research: Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda; data analysis of 11 other African countries with DDR programmes (existing & emerging) • Assessment of the use of ICT in related sectors: early warning; humanitarian/disaster relief; post-conflict reconstruction
Possible ICT & social media tools for the reintegration of ex-combatants in Africa
Geospatial analysis and the monitoring (e.g. Eyes on Darfur)
Beyond the ICT hype and ‘culture’ of ICT use • Significant national variations in ICT culture • Phones used predominantly for voice • Mobile phone network have limited capacity for data transfer (including Internet access) • Data costs are exceedingly expensive • Suspicion of newer forms of ICT & paranoia • High levels of illiteracy • Electricity to charge phones? • Social media mainly applicable the digitally savvy (external diaspora) • NB: Traditional DDR programming approaches still have value