Communication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue

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Communication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue Carole St. LaurentWeb/MultimediaSpecialistFluidITSolutionswww.fluidITsolutions.com

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April 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.comCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue

Websites, multimedia, capacity buildingCellular-based storytelling in AustraliaCapacity building in UgandaeGovernment collaboration in CanadaPeace work inspired by Rwandan filmmakerPilot project, www.cryrwanda.com@fluidIT

-let me share some of my recent projects so you understand where Im coming from

-one of the most personally fulfilling moments was sharing the video in Rwanda last yearCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com2

I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace. Helen Keller

I do not want

Todays workshop is about Communication for peace-as this quote says, deep understanding is the path to peace

-very challenging-very necessary

-exciting developments in technology that enable richer communications from a broader base-I will share some examples from the field-lot of wisdom/experience in the room; a chance to share your own experience & questionsCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com3

Communication for PeaceDigital technologies enhance empathy and dialogueDigital storytellingSocial media

Interventions and ActionConflict & incident mappingMobile reporting

-I am convinced, from my experience & research, that we can build empathy & understanding through technologies-the technologies are enablers; people use them powerfully-most exciting developments is how inexpensive & easy to use technologies are becoming-as simple as cell phones, in SMS/voice only mode, as well as multimedia features

-when you harness these technologies and combine them in specific ways, very powerful outcomesConflict mapping/interventionsCitizen reporting/communication

Communication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com4

The ChallengeTrue understanding is hard enough when you share:Common languageCommon cultureCommon standard of livingSimilar life experiences


The ChallengeSometimes even the people closest to us seem like theyre from different planets!

The ChallengeEven sharing genetic material doesntguarantee communication!

Daddys HomeTony Rubino and Gary MarksteinJuly 8, 2009

Peace CommunicationsTrue understanding is even more difficult when you must overcome:Language differencesSocio-economic differencesReligious differencesValues differencesGenerations or even centuries of conflict

How easy do you imagine empathy is between people from:

America & IraqPakistan and IndiaIsrael and the Palestinian territoriesSuicide bombers and their victims You and a person you imagine having the most difficulty respecting


TruthHow much of our given truth is universal?Misunderstood?Offensive?

-what we dont even notice as assumptions can be huge barriers to understanding, and ultimately peace

-even openly discussed, consensus & mutual respect is very hard to nurture -very important to reveal, discuss, & respect each others differences


TruthChallenged?

Enabling EmpathyHow can we enable deeper understanding and empathy?See the world through their eyes a world that outsiders cannot usually seeHear sounds from their worldHear their voiceEmpathize with their emotions

-the other is so inaccessible to us -beyond our experience -behind so many walls of barriers

Digital stories allow outsiders a unique invitation behind the usual walls that obscure the otherCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com11

Digital StorytellingEmpowers people to speak their own truthTranscend geography, timeRich mediums sights, soundsMultiple speakersComplete, unfiltered messagesUninterrupted messages

-in conflict situations, often the enemy speaks for each other, and imputes the most negative portrayals and intentions to them-states pretend to speak for all people-words are imputed to the other

Digital stories & new media empower speakers to speak their own truth, not have words imputed to them

-goes beyond words & facts, to the emotions


Digital StorytellingInvites audiences behind the walls which usually obscure the other Into homesInto sacred spaces and eventsInto the speakers thoughts and emotions

Visual StorytellingWaris Ali Chaudhrys photographshttp://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org

14How do you feel?What did you learn?Is this different from your experience of a news report, or printed text?


Visual StorytellingIsis-WICCEs annual report in images

15Images offer creative way to speak to project partners, funders, and external audiences


Pray for Healing of the World

Painting by David Chapman

16Not just digital images - can use traditional art paintings, sculpture, prints and scan or photographApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.comCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue

Homem na Molduraby Humberto Pateguana

ARMS into ARTa virtual exhibition in cooperation with Ncleo de Arte in Maputo, Mozambique

http://www.africaserver.nl/nucleo/eng/

17This image is sculptureVisual image in different media arms, metalThen photographed, shared more widelyPurpose? Reflection, emotional impact, discussionApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.comCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue

ReflectionReflections?How do images impact your empathy for the other?Examples?

18How do you feel?What did you learn?Is this different from your experience of a news report, or printed text?


Oral Storytelling

Amos, If I were in their shoes

U2, Peace on Earth

-as simple as voice recorder on your cell phone, or free software & a microphone on the computer-thats how I captured Amos story

Audio offers a great deal of creativity-sound-voice-surroundings-plays-interviews19April 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.comCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue

Alternative AccessCell-based stories/reports[murmur] (global)Freedom Fone, ZimbabwePodcastsRadio

-about murmur-especially for geographically located storiesCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com20

ReflectionReflections?How does audio impact your empathy for the other?Examples?

21How do you feel?What did you learn?Is this different from your experience images?


Power of ForgivenessJean Paul Samputu, www.cryrwanda.com

Forgiveness is a powerful weapon against terrorism and atrocities

Jean Paul Samputu survivor, peacebuilder, friend

-peace is impossible without forgiveness


Positive Exampleshttp://www.oneworld.am/diversity/photos.html Audio slideshow

-building bridges across conflict zones is the topic of this piece

-simple technology; photographs/voiceover

-great as a positive examples celebrate themCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com23

ReflectionReflections?How do audiovisuals impact your empathy for the other?Examples?

24How do you feel?What did you learn?Is this different from your experience of other media?


Social MediaAmazing new media project, http://oneworld.am/diversity/

BlogMapsMultimediaTwitterExplore it!

25-slideshow part of bigger projects

This is one of the most powerful multimedia peace projects I have seen for building empathy and overcoming enmity

-browse the site live


Challenging AssumptionsFor Armenian Facebook users, this was their first exposure to an image of the enemy at odds with that usually portrayed in local media.

Twitter Diplomacy, Onnik Krikorian 2 February 2010http://tol.org/client/article/21135-twitter-diplomacy.html

Armenians, please come back and claim your churchAdnan Hajizade, Azeri Video Bloggerhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXjNWWt4OSs

Multiple channels, repurposing, viral marketing expands new medias reach

exploding online channels-enabled community building that is not possible in person, even traditional communications (phones)-strangers, enemies-imprisoned; new media enabled transparency & pressure on authorities

(Quote, Timecode 1:50)


BlogsTwitter Diplomacy Web 2.0 tools bridge closed borders

between Armenia and Azerbaijanhttp://tol.org/client/article/21135-twitter-diplomacy.html It was a virtual hand of friendship extended across a closed border and a 15-year-old cease-fire line.

Encourage you to read more laterCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com27

TwitterShare or read real-time news

Search #hashtags or keywordsFollow organizations or peopleCreate or follow lists

How many of you use Twitter personally?

Organizationally?

Experience?


UshahidiOnline crisis mapping systemwww.ushahidi.com

TweetsEmailsWeb reportsMaps

One of strongest peace-specific digital tools-free, open source

-demonstrate liveCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com29

UshahidiDeployed in Kenya, DRC, Gaza, etc.Saved lives in Haiti earthquake, 2010Thousands of life-and-death text messagesSkype with Search and Rescue (SAR)Emails from the World Food ProgramSOUTHCOMs video footage from military drones

Ushahidi HaitiCrowdsourcing the Impossible: Ushahidi Haiti http://en.oreilly.com/where2010/public/schedule/detail/14618

Tufts map steered action amid chaosBoston Globe, April 5, 2010http://www.boston.com/news/world/latinamerica/articles/2010/04/05/tufts_project_delivered_aid_to_quake_victims/

Very good online reports that share more

-top link is a 5 minute overview by the founder, Patrick Meier-important to note the Haiti work was done almost exclusively by students in Boston-offsite, volunteers, coordinating with on-the-ground professionals-invaluableCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com31

Debate & Dialoguewww.debategraph.orgConflicts are complex, controversialGraphicaltool to buildclarity,consensus

Peace & conflict are complex & controversialPresenting all sides of the issues, in response to each other, is a good step at clarity & consensus on the issuesCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com32

DebateGraphContent/context such as:History AlternativesArguments for/against

-live online demoCommunication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and DialogueApril 8, 2010www.fluidITsolutions.com33

ReflectionReflections?What does social media add to the picture?What else is possible?Examples?Questions?

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ResourcesGlobal Voices (www.globalvoicesonline.org)Aggregates & translates blogs, podcasts, videohttp://tv.OneWorld.net FastStone Image Viewer/Editor (www.faststone.org)

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ResourcesPeace and Collaborative Development Network http://www.internationalpeaceandconflict.org Miroslav Volf, The End of Memory: Remembering Rightly in a Violent WorldRemembrance vs forgiving/forgettingReconciliation vs justice

Technology

Communication for Peace: How Digital Technologies can Enhance Empathy and Dialogue