ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace)

Over the past couple of years, I’ve been interested in the intersections of the theories and practice of Information Communications Technology (ICT) and peacebuilding. There weren’t many who took me seriously a few years ago.

Today, it’s different/ 

ICT4Peace, though as yet embryonic, is soon gaining currency as an important field that’s distinct from other related domains of ICT, such as e-government and e-commerce.

I helped setup InfoShare to pursue some of the possibilities of using ICT for peace in Sri Lanka in 2003. The on-the-ground experience of using technology in support of an on-going peace process was one without historical any precedent. Based on this experience, I conducted my research in Australia on Computer Supported Collaborative Work (CSCW), ICT and Peacebuilding. At around this time, I was also introduced to Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) - another interesting use of technology to resolve commercial disputes. My growing interest in ODR led me to push the boundaries of its theory and application - introducing seasoned practitioners to the complex domains of ethno-political conflict and its transformation.

Much of this research is available from my personal website.

This blog is an attempt to cover issues on a regular basis that are of interest to me and a visionary and practitioner of ICT4Peace.

Some key posts:
Technology for non-violent struggle?
What is ICT4Peace?
Serious questions for ICT4Peace

M-Gov and mobile phones for development