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International Online Training Program On Intractable Conflict |
Conflict Research Consortium, University of Colorado, USA |
In a crisis, communication mechanisms are more important than ever, yet without precrisis planning, crisis communication tends to get worse, or even non-existent. By planning for potential crisis situations ahead of time, however, communication channels can be already in place, ready to be used when needed. The best-known example of such communication mechanisms, are perhaps "hotlines." These are direct phone lines between opposing leaders--for example there has been one for some time between the President of the U.S. and the Soviet (or now Russian) leaders. This line was note used for routine conversations, but was ready on a moment's notice if a crisis occurred (such as the Cuban Missile Crisis).
Other approaches to crisis communication involve standing fact-finding or rumor control teams which try to prevent unfounded rumors from spreading and unnecessarily escalating already tense situations. Also important are protocols for increasing, rather than decreasing communication with opponents during a crisis. If opponents meet before a crisis develops and work out contingency plans, so that each knows how to respond if a crisis appears imminent, steps can be taken to de-escalate the crisis in planned ways.
They key factor in all of these approaches is that crises increase the need for rapid, accurate information. Thus frequent, accurate, and effective communication both within one's own group as well as with the opposition becomes critically important. Some ways of achieving this goal are discussed in the examples, below.
Links to Outside Sources of Information
USIP-Managing Communications: Lessons from Interventions in Africa
Links to Related Approaches
Opening Lines of Communication
Links to Related Problems
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