Phase 3
Formal negotiations
Phase description
The negotiations will unfold over various rounds of high-level talks between the conflict parties. In addition, track-two workshops may continue to develop technical solutions to the conflict, which can inform the formal negotiation process. The talks may proceed slowly with little visible progress, for instance, through a few meetings between conflict party representatives, while the armed conflict on the ground continues. There may be heightened political mobilization, involving conflict parties, hardliners and peace-activists, engaging in conventional and online media as well as through public protests. The negotiations may evolve throughout several agreements. A framework agreement reached at the beginning of the negotiations may be followed by more detailed technical agreements on specific issues such as security, political, and economic arrangements. Each of these agreements may come with implementation mechanisms, which means that phases three and four can often overlap significantly. At the end of this phase, a comprehensive peace agreement is signed.
Explore the following 3 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
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
Use Case 3
Public digital consultations
This online discussion forum enables consultative processes with a broad cross-section of the population. The website would allow back-and-forth, interactive communication between the mediator and the population during the ongoing negotiation process, focused on specific and tangible elements of the negotiations. Ideally, such digital consultations should be complemented by offline consultations. A social media campaign could be run to invite people to the online discussion forum. Qualitative data gathered through this process could be analyzed and synthesized through text analysis tools that leverage Artificial Intelligence.
Important context factors
Digital consultations can only work if there is a high level of political will among those at the negotiation table, as well as a capacity to integrate large amounts of feedback into negotiations. In addition, the public should feel comfortable enough to express themselves openly through digital means and have access to relevant technologies.
Risks and possible unintended consequences
- Information that goes into a digital consultation may not be processed in time to feed into the negotiations
- The digital consultation may raise false expectations among the population if there is insufficient commitment to integrate the results into the negotation process
- There may be increased fragmentation and polarization in the population as a result of consulting more people about what’s on the agenda of discussions
- Spoilers may use the digital consultation to unduly skew the agenda of discussions
Strategic purpose of digital inclusion
Functions of digital Technology
Outputs of digital Technology
Technologies used
Online discussion forum, social media, Natural language processing
Proceed to another phase
Phase 3