 |
International Online Training Program On Intractable
Conflict
|
Conflict Research Consortium, University
of Colorado, USA |
Telecommunications Based Communication
Glossary | Menu Shortcut Page
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.
- 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