This report explores the ways in which new technologies can help international actors, governments, and civil society organisations to more effectively prevent violence and conflict. It examines the contributions that cell phones, social media, crowdsourcing, crisis mapping, blogging, and big data analytics can make to short-term efforts to forestall crises and to long-term initiatives to address the causes of violence. The implications that emerge include: examine all tools; integrate local input; help information flow horizontally; establish consensus regarding data use; and foster partnerships.
Five case studies were analysed to assess the use of such tools in regions (Africa, Asia, Latin America) experiencing different types of violence (criminal violence, election-related violence, armed conflict, short-term crisis) in different political contexts (restrictive and collaborative governments).
Drawing on lessons and insights from across the cases, the authors outline a guide for leveraging new technology in conflict-prevention efforts. The research found that:
- New technologies have the potential to make significant contributions to violence- and conflict prevention efforts, but they are not a panacea. International organisations and governments should examine all the tools at their disposal for preventing conflict, and civil society organisations should not be blinkered by their particular thematic focus.
- The cases show that socioeconomic, cultural, and demographic factors will all influence whether technology can have a positive impact, which technology would be appropriate, and how technologies could or should be combined. International organisations and governments should make needs assessments and feasibility studies that address these factors standard practice. CSOs should also include such needs assessments or conflict and peace assessments in their proposals when seeking funding from donors.
- Failure to consider the possible knock-on effects of applying a specific technology can lead to fatal outcomes in violent settings. Spoilers also leverage new technologies to incite violence, promote conflict, and perpetrate crimes. As such, a conflict-sensitive approach remains vital from conception to completion of any initiative involving new technologies. As part of project design and implementation, every actor should identify possible spoilers, conduct a cost-benefit analysis that incorporates risk, develop mechanisms to mitigate risks, and create contingency plans.
- Examples abound where an absence of local input meant there was a lack of buy-in from the affected communities, project financing was unsustainable, the credibility of the information collected was questionable, or there was duplication of work. Once a project is underway, continual consultation with and involvement of the affected community is vital. In general, the application of new technological tools to prevention efforts at the local level works best when integrated into existing civil society initiatives.
- Citizen-to-citizen ICT initiatives can help to connect more “warners” and “responders” more quickly and closer to the crisis. They can also contribute to communities’ resilience in the long term. International organisations should consider supporting spontaneous micro-initiatives in this area, provide funding to develop local capacity, improve connectivity between different initiatives, and promote the sharing of best practices. CSOs should identify and reward skilled individuals and groups in local communities who can adopt new technologies for preventing violence and conflict.
- New technologies make it possible for international organisations and government agencies to acquire more information and more granular information to inform prevention efforts. International organisations, governments, and civil society actors should establish consensus around questions of privacy, access, and use of digital data in any given initiative. This will make prevention efforts more legitimate in the eyes of the affected communities.
- There are indications that prevention initiatives that drew on the complementary strengths of international donors, governments, the private sector, and civil society proved more effective. International organisations and governments are well placed to foster such partnerships. Given the frequent paralysis at national and international levels when it comes to preventing conflict, the empowerment of individuals to participate in conflict-prevention initiatives in their own communities and societies may be one of the most significant innovations created by advances in technology.
- In the long run, however, the most effective approach to using new technologies for conflict prevention may well be the one needed in prevention more broadly: one that successfully balances both grassroots, decentralised efforts and the more rationalised and coordinated activities of governments and international organisations.
