International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict
	Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA

Telecommunications Based Communication

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Efforts to improve communication are often limited by the fact that good communication takes time. There are many instances in which it would be desirable for the parties and constituency groups to engage in lengthy conversations, yet they do not   have the time to do so. Nor do they have the money to travel the distances they need to in order to talk face-to-face as often or as extensively as they would like.

Telecommunication technologies can, in large measure, reduce these problems by providing efficient mechanisms of communication which are very quick, easy to use, and inexpensive.  While they are not face-to-face, and therefore are not as personal as a face-to-face conversation, electronic communication is far better than no communication at all, which is often the alternative. By encouraging greater communication, telecommunication can improve interpersonal and intergroup understanding which is likely to   increase the constructiveness of the overall conflict. Specific areas in which the electronic media can make important contributions include:

• Videotapes. Important speeches and even negotiation sessions can be easily and inexpensively videotaped and then shared with people who are unable to      attend the sessions in person.
• Radio and television broadcasts. These broadcasts allow very large groups to witness negotiations, public hearings, another important events to determine, for themselves whether or not their interests are being accurately included in the discussions. (Often, however, negotiations are better conducted privately, with media coverage reserved for the end.)
• Electronic mail and fax machines. The ability of e-mail  and fax machines to deliver messages across the planet in a matter of seconds makes effective international communication possible.
• Web sites and Internet search engines. The ability to find Web sites with the Internet search engines such as Excite, AltaVista, or Yahoo make it much easier for parties to recruit allies on a national and international basis. It also helps advocacy groups get their message out to the general public.
• Internet-based telephony. The Internet can also be used to transmit at vastly lower cost, conventional telephone calls.
• On-line training programs. On-line education and training programs (like this one) make it much easier to disseminate information about new and more effective ideas for dealing with conflict problems.

These are just a few examples. The potential of these new technologies is expanding almost daily, and the global reach of the technology is spreading rapidly as well.

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Links to Examples:

 

Information Technologies Can Help

This is a summary of a conference on "virtual diplomacy"--diplomacy carried out through or assisted by telecommunications--held by the U.S. Institute of Peace.   The full text of the article summarized can be found at U.S. Institute of Peace PeaceWatch - June 1997

Links to Outside Sources of Information on This Topic:

Designing Effective Action Alerts for the Internet

This article describes how to get people to work for your cause over the Internet.

Managing the Community Impacts of Large Scale Development:  A Participative Approach  by Desmond M. Connor

This paper summarizes the main elements of the participative social impact assessment and management program commissioned by Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Limited for the greater Gibsons, British Columbia community.  Cable television and phoned-in questions and comments were a major part of this public participation effort.

 

USIP-Managing Communications:   Lessons from Interventions in Africa

This article discusses the use of a variety of telecommunications technologies to enhance the work of peace keepers, NGOs providing humanitarian assistance, and others working to restore peace and security in Africa.

Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution in the Information Age

This site contains all the conference papers from the United States Institute of Peace conference on Virtual Diplomacy which focused on the use of telecommunications to improve diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Links to Related Approaches

Opening Lines of Communication

Constituent Communication

Links to Related Problems

Lack of Communication Channels/Avoided Communication

Inadequate Information Gathering/Time Constraints

Copyright ©1998 Conflict Research Consortium  -- Contact: crc@colorado.edu