The Peace Process Will Not be Tweeted
- Autores: Monica Curca
- Localización: Global Education Magazine, ISSN-e 2255-033X, Nº. 2, 2013
- Idioma: varios idiomas
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Of late new media and digital technologies have been instrumental in bringing about social change throughout the world. This article asks if it is possible for new media and digital technologies to also bring peace? Media and communications have a long history in being used as an instrument for peace or a weapon of war. Looking at the historical uses of media and communications to both be an instrument of peace and a weapon of war, the author explains that new media and digital technologies are only a channel to convey a message, yet the message has exponential power when shared and promoted through online social networks. In addition, the article presents several cases of peace campaigns and distills the pros and cons of such initiatives. The author concludes that while online peace campaigns have the ability to render tremendous results, often going “viral,” the end result can be more damaging to the immediate conflict actors. The article serves as a philosophical challenge that is based in conflict transformation theory and behavioral change communications, it seeks to open up a discussion about the ability for social media peace campaigns to bring real sustainable peace to complex conflict situations.
