getting ‘real’ about virtual peace-building information communication technology and the...
TRANSCRIPT
Getting ‘real’ about virtual peace-buildingInformation communication technology and the
reintegration of ex-combatants
Guy LambSafety 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?
Dramatic growth in mobile phone access
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012* 2013*Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
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20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
120.0
140.0
DevelopedDevelopingAfricaWorld
Massive expansion in global social media usage (millions of users)
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 20130
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
FacebookTwiterLinkedInGoogle+
Facebook for Every Phone: Broadening access to social media
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 have devoted 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
Interactive real-time mapping
Use of Ushahidi in crisis response
Geospatial analysis and the monitoring (e.g. Eyes on Darfur)
Text message reporting & querying
Social media campaigning: From ‘clicktivism’ to change
ICT resource centres
Family reunification resources
Mobile money
Current & emerging DDR programmes in Africa: ICT reality
Social media use in African DDR countries
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