Peacebuilding in a networked world: Harnessing computing and communication technologies in fragile, conflict-stressed nations

Title: Peacebuilding in a networked world: Harnessing computing and communication technologies in fragile, conflict-stressed nations
Format: Journal Article
Publication Date: April 2013
Published In: Communications of the ACM
Description: Peacebuilding is the collective processes to end or mitigate conflict, rebuild and reconcile post-conflict and foster conditions that avoid conflict in the first place. Indeed, mobile phones seem not to only persist in conflict-stressed environments but to flourish. Even the world's most conflict-affected countries have robust mobile phone networks. Somalia, often topping the global list of failed states, has five mobile phone operators. Print illiteracy is pervasive in many conflict-stressed environments and nowhere is this truer than in Afghanistan. Therefore, one of the important technical enhancements of the M-Paisa service was the development of an interactive voice response (IVR) system supporting Dari, Pashto, and English. M-Paisa is responding to some of the core realities of this conflict-stressed environment: high levels of insecurity and low levels of literacy.
Ivan Allen College Contributors:
Citation: Communications of the ACM. 56. Issue 4. 30 - 32. ISSN 0001-0782. DOI 10.1145/2436256.2436265.
Related Departments:
  • Center for International Strategy, Technology, and Policy
  • School of International Affairs