As technology continues to evolve & become increasingly intertwined in development & aid programming, particularly in conflict-affected contexts, there is a pressing need to track trends in the digital sphere, their impact in conflict settings & areas for adaptation. Violent practices such as online hate speech present challenges to peacebuilding, while tools like social media analysis offer opportunities for conflict prevention. This Thematic Action Area contains resources, discussions, events & more for you to learn about & connect around technology for good & digital peacebuilding.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Tech[nology] for good refers to technology’s ability to contribute to positive social change by offering tools that foster collaboration, transform attitudes & give a stronger voice to communities (International Journal of Security and Development).
- Digital peacebuilding is the analysis of & response to online conflict dynamics & the harnessing of digital tools to amplify peacebuilding outcomes (Alliance for Peacebuilding).
Peacebuilding is a broad range of measures implemented in the context of emerging, current, or post-conflict situations & which are explicitly guided & motivated by a primary commitment to the prevention of violent conflict & the promotion of a lasting & sustainable peace (Search for Common Ground).
As technological capabilities continue to develop and grow, they can both contribute to sustainable peace and cause harm. From surveillance to social media, technology’s wide-ranging applications can exacerbate or ease conflict dynamics. Find out more here.
For a collection of resources on technology for good & digital peacebuilding, please visit our Resource Library.
To start conversations about & provide insight on topics related to technology for good, please explore & contribute to our Discussion Forums.
For a list of organizations & groups working in technology for good & digital peacebuilding, please see our Collaboration Map.