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Digitalization in education and peace mediation

Background

In the quick moving field of digitalization, swisspeace considers it crucial for researchers and policy makers to actively participate in the digitalization discourse. We want to take agency in digitalization in order to avoid the ‘digitalization agenda’ being solely in the hands of corporate and security business interests. Digital innovations change how people and communities interact and may thus influence the nature of conflicts and their transformation. Consequently, such changes impact education in conflict-affected contexts. However, this needs to be researched as 1) it is fundamental for universities to exchange on the potential and impact of digitalization in education with practitioners working with civil society, with universities of applied sciences and with policy actors and 2) to better understand how digitalization is being used in policy and how it is part of conflict issues in order to find innovative, digital instruments to support peacebuilding and mediation efforts. This includes the use of digital tools for mediation, as well as (digital) analysis tools for big data analysis in the field of social media or sentiment analysis for mediation interventions or national dialogue structures. Furthermore, it is essential to build this research on North-South partnerships for a global and comprehensive approach.

Objective

Within existing swissuniversities initiatives SUDAC and CLOC, two projects are dedicated to digitalization in education in conflict-affected contexts. Both of these cooperations support open access to latest research findings through online resource facilities, blended learning courses for students with limited access to internet and practice-oriented e-learning. Moreover, e-learning infrastructure will support interdisciplinary curricula for both academic training as well as vocational education.

Expected Benefits

  • In target country: Universities in the Global South and North are key actors in improving digitalization for education and build capacities of peacebuilding professionals. Professionals in fragile and conflict-affected countries will be provided with better skills and opportunities to contribute to peace and prevent violent conflicts through improved mediation interventions and broad-based national dialogue infrastructures.
  • In Switzerland: By driving transdisciplinary initiatives forward, competences in the field of digitalization will also be strengthened within Switzerland. Moreover, Switzerland would provide a platform for high-level exchanges and the Swiss market would consolidate its role as a hub for innovative digitalization initiatives. Small and medium businesses in Switzerland could greatly benefit from a favourable position to collaborate with newly emerging markets.

Contact Information

Ursina Bentele, , phone:+41 (0)31 330 21 45

swisspeace,

Digitalization in Education and Peace Mediation
Digitalization in Education and Peace Mediation

Partner countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Palestine, South Sudan, Lebanon

Cost: CHF 36 Mio

Duration: 4 years