Phase 2
Informal negotiations
Phase description
Several rounds of informal negotiations between representatives of the conflict parties will take place. These are likely initiated or facilitated by a third party. They may take place through shuttle diplomacy without face-to-face meetings between the conflict parties, or informal meetings between representatives outside the country. There may also be technical workshops on the track-two level, involving experts that aim to find technical solutions to specific aspects of the conflict. This phase usually sees concessions from both sides, for instance, a withdrawal or repositioning of troops, the granting of amnesty, or joint security measures. There may be more substantial progress, such as the reaching of a ceasefire agreement or a unilateral cessation of hostilities. Such milestones may also result in the establishment of various follow-up mechanisms, such as ceasefire monitoring, which may, for instance, be set-up under the auspices of a regional organization with the support of national NGOs.
Explore the following 4 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
Use Case 2
Participatory peace campaign
This online campaign demonstrates progress in the peace process and pressures the conflict parties to join the formal negotiation process. The campaign would operate on social media, where mediation support actors would share multi-media content (videos and photos) that document progress in the peace process. Each piece of media content would link to an online platform through which users could reach out to their political or community representative. Once a formal negotiation process is established, the campaign would demonstrate that there has been tangible progress. It would also invite the users to lobby their political representatives to commit to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. There could also be a “call for action” element, integrated at a later stage. For instance, people could register with the page to sign up for more confidence-building measures and then choose to film or otherwise disseminate that information.
Important context factors
Such a campaign will work best where the population (or at least parts) are in favor of a peaceful settlement. Some degree of freedom of expression is necessary so that people feel safe enough to share content. The campaign will be less effective in the context of a strongly divided population.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- The campaign may lose momentum and the participants may become disengaged, particularly in the call to action
- A dominant group or party may use the campaign to promote hegemonic views/narratives
- The campaign may be seen as a PR-tool for the peace process if it does not have a broad-based buy-in
- The campaign may revive grievances, or the participants may be unable to agree on a shared political narrative.
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Online platform, apps, social media
Use Case 3
Rapid polling: agenda setting
A polling system used to identify and understand core constituency issues in the run-up to negotiations, especially of marginalized and underrepresented groups. The results of this poll would be used for agenda setting and to inform the design of the negotiation process. The polling could take place through dedicated polling apps, online forms, text messaging applications, or SMS systems. The information would be collected, classified, analyzed, and conclusions shared with mediators. The data could also be shared back to the polling participants and distributed among a broader set of organizations involved in the peace process.
Important context factors
There will need to be some pre-existing public acceptance of the process for people to agree to contribute to a poll. Conflict parties and mediators must be willing to incorporate the polling data into the agenda-setting process. The credibility of the organization conducting polling would be critical to its success.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- Groups associated with conflict parties may use the polls to unduly influence the agenda
- Participants may become disillusioned with the process if they feel poll results are not transparently included in the agenda-setting process
- The analysis may be biased, depending on the sampling methodology used
- Mediators may become overwhelmed with data and lack the capacity to analyze it
- Polls may lead to heightened expectations that cannot be met by the mediation
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Online forms, polling apps, messaging services, SMS systems
Use Case 4
Dynamic mapping of power relations
An online tool that allows for the interactive visualization of key peace process actors, their attitudes and interests, how these actors are connected, and the power relations between them. The data for this online dashboard would be collected by focal points through offline focus group discussions or individual interviews with key stakeholders. The tool could be periodically updated by the focal points to measure changes in the network of peace process actors. The data could be used by negotiators to inform the design of their mediation strategy. The tool could help mediators understand how attitude and interest changes among stakeholders relate to the causes and dynamics of conflict. Mediators could also analyze who of the stakeholders can influence attitude change and identify shared values and possible connectors among them.
This tool can be applied in phases 2 and 3.
Important context factors
The tool requires commitment from a mediator or mediation support actor to collect data continually. Depending on the context, there will be sensitivities around what information is shared by whom. A strong network of local focal points (for instance local civil society organisations) that support the assessment will also be needed.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- Stakeholders may misrepresent their interests or power for strategic reasons
- Access to the field may be limited due to insecurity
- Stakeholders may have limited political will to contribute to the assessment
- The participation rate in the asessment could decrease over time
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Online visualisation tool
Proceed to another phase
Phase 2