Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs)

I am currently involved in exploring the impact of the communications and technological revolution on international relations and international conflict resolution.

ICTs, Negotiation and Conflict Resolution

My 1997 International Relations Theory class and my 1999 Canada in International Affairs class participated in the International Communications and Negotiation Simulations project (ICONS) organized by the University of Maryland.  ICONS offers educational simulations of international relations  wherein students negotiate solutions to global problems via the Internet with peers around the world.

Further information on how ICTs can aid in preventing, managing and resolving international conflict can be found at the United States Institute for Peace (USIP) Virtual Diplomacy page. The USIP also has a moderated e-mail forum for exchanging ideas and announcements related to Virtual Diplomacy.

For one example of the use of ICTs for virtual conferencing, you can also visit the Virtual Conference on Challenges to Global Governance hosted by the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in 1998.  

The USIP has also recently posted a Webcast on Prospects for Conflict Resolution in South Asia.  

ICTs and Information Sharing

ICTs can also strengthen information sharing for conflict analysis and conflict prevention. The Country Indicators for Foreign Policy project, initiated by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, has created an Internet database for use by academics and the policy community.  Related efforts include the Forum on Early Warning and Early Response (FEWER).   FEWER is a multi-disciplinary coalition of organizations which have come together to exchange knowledge and experience in the field of early warning, conflict prevention and conflict resolution.

Similarly, SIPRI's Integrating fact databases in the field of international relations and security is an ongoing project engaged in creating a federated system of individual databases. SIPRI's objective is to offer professionals in the field, as well as researchers, politicians and the media, an organized authoritative and structured factual reference system. See also the Facts on International Relations and Security Trends project produced jointly by SIPRI and the International Relations and Security Network.

The USIP also addresses the role of ICTs in fostering information sharing in peace and humanitarian operations. 

Role of the Media

Global media have emerged as an active and important participant in international conflict. A new focus in security studies now examines the impact of media, especially in the areas of conflict escalation and resolution.

The Centre for Conflict Resolution in South Africa, for example, dedicated the December 1998 edition of its journal Track Two to the issue of media and conflict. For examples of regional analyses on this issue, see the commentary on the role of the media in African conflicts provided by the Conciliation Resources web site, and that on Media and Conflicts in the Transcaucasus by The European Institute for the Media.

For general information on the impact and role of global media, visit the Marshall McLuhan Center on Global Communications. 

A number of useful media web sites include CNN, National Public Radio, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. CNN has an interesting Spinning Globe VRML applet that provides quick and easily accessed information about conflicts around the globe.

CSDS Direct Audio Feed

CSDS ran a live webcast of a debate on Oct. 31, 2003. This webcast, “Changing Canadian Foreign Policy: A Debate”, can now be accessed on the CSDS website.