Phase 1
Shift towards negotiations
Phase description
Following a prolonged period of armed violence, the purely military confrontation between the government and the insurgency group shifts towards efforts to find a negotiated solution to the conflict. There may be a first exchange of information between the conflict parties, indicating willingness to seek a negotiated settlement. A third party may facilitate such informal rapprochement. These developments remain mostly hidden from the public. There may have been earlier, failed attempts to resolve the conflict through a negotiated agreement.
Explore the following 1 use case(s) of digital technology:
Use Case 1
Online collaboration in support of the peace process
This website enables the coordination of initiatives relating to the peace talks. Participants from different stakeholder groups can work together to identify common concerns, build coalitions around key issues, and plan joint actions that support the mediation. In addition, members of the public could use the site to identify activities happening in their locality and join them. Results of the collaboration could feed into the negotiation, for instance, by enabling a collaborative approach to agenda-setting. The tool could also help building pressure on the negotiation parties by demonstrating public support for peace and advocating for specific process outcomes. Once an agreement has been reached, the website could also be used to organize initiatives that are included in the formal provisions of the peace agreement. A password-protected version of the website could be available for a closed group of civil society actors for more direct coordination. This tool can be used accross all phases of the process.
Important context factors
This use case requires a relatively open environment and general support for peace from the population, as well as an active civil society and community leaders. The site requires a wide user base from the start to ensure it generates sufficient momentum through a critical mass of activities. This project will be constrained in the context of a divided society, with limited civil society groups and restricted freedom of expression. The use case requires access to the internet for large parts of the population and some culture of civic engagement.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- There may be limited political momentum if the site is not populated with an initial set of engaging projects
- The site may be misused for initiatives that reinforce division and polarization, or promote partisan interests
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Website
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Phase 1