The proliferation of misinformation, disinformation, and hate/extremist speech, conspiracy theories rampant on new media and digital communication platforms, has added new dimensions to existing challenges related to pluralism, diversity and social cohesion in the Middle East. While new media and digital communication technologies has helped augment social interactions it has created an information landscape that exacerbates polarization and conflict. A growing number of activists and civil society organizations in the Middle East recognize the salience of this issue, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now leveraging the very-media and digital communication platforms to combat misinformation, disinformation, extremism/hate speech and promote pluralism, diversity and inclusion and social cohesion. In this panel, we will hear from organizations working to counter disinformation and hate speech and learn from them about what they are doing to build social-cohesion and peace, using the same platforms.
Read MoreEste 2020, la pandemia de COVID-19 ha enfrentado los procesos de construcción de paz en América Latina se han enfrentado a una situación sin precedentes. Con la imposición de medidas como el distanciamiento físico y el traslado de diversas actividades a la virtualidad, las personas y organizaciones dedicadas a la construcción de paz en la región han tenido que recurrir a la creatividad para garantizar que su trabajo se mantenga en pie y, al mismo tiempo, se salvaguarde la salud e integridad de las y los beneficiarios. Con una brecha digital innegable, una desigualdad inocultable y un historial de represión del gobierno hacia sus comunidades agrícolas e indígenas, quienes construimos paz en la región hemos tenido que echar mano de diferentes herramientas para llegar a todas las partes involucradas en conflictos que van desde la disputa de tierra y territorio hasta rencillas ideológicas desatadas, y alimentadas, por la misma pandemia. Desde Argentina, Guatemala y México, este panel plantea algunas de las medidas tomadas al tiempo que se pregunta cómo fortalecer sus planes y proyectos de construcción de paz en la región ante un panorama por demás incierto.
Read MoreDigital technologies play a growing role in efforts to facilitate dialogue. Conflict parties and conflict stakeholders increasingly use digital technologies, and especially social media, to further their agendas and interests. Mediators and dialogue practitioners can respond to this trend through digital inclusion. The need to make use of digital technologies to broaden participation has been particularly amplified through the COVID-19 crisis, which drastically reduced opportunities for conventional, “offline” mediation and dialogues.
Read MoreHow do we measure violence or conflict? Is it the number of homicides? Battle deaths? What are the implications of using certain indicators over others to inform programming and policy? A lack of clear data on the scale and nature of violence and conflict can be a critical barrier to the effectiveness of peacebuilding efforts, whether the task at hand is analyzing the conflict, designing programs, informing policy, or evaluating the effectiveness of our interventions. This session seeks to explore challenges in the current conflict and violence data landscape and to highlight considerations and approaches to enable more widespread and effective integration of these data into peacebuilding efforts.
Read MoreThis session looks at critical new research findings in the field of civil resistance; addresses their implications for peace, stability, democracy, and human rights; and talks about new frontiers in the field. Isak Svensson will discuss his research on how people living in jihadist proto-states (in Mali, Syria, and Iraq) have used civil resistance—including acts of popular disobedience, non-cooperation, protests and public defiance—against such regimes to improve their lives and defend their values.
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