Technology for Peace: Difference between revisions

From Future Worlds Center Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search

Technology for Peace (view source)

Revision as of 02:31, 10 February 2019

498 bytes added ,  10 February 2019
no edit summary
No edit summary
 
(26 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 2: Line 2:
       |acronym=Tech4Peace
       |acronym=Tech4Peace
       |logo=TFP_Logo2.jpg
       |logo=TFP_Logo2.jpg
       |project_title=Technology for Peace
       |project_title=[[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]]<br>[[Technology for Peace]]<br>[[Technology for Peace: Phase 2]]<br>[[Technology for Peace: Phase 3]]
      |contract_number=[[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]]<br>[[Technology for Peace: Phase 2]]<br>[[Technology for Peace: Phase 3]]
      |contract_number=
       |funding_period=
       |funding_period=May - July 1998<br>3/1/2001-2/1/2002<br>3/1/2002-30/4/2002<br>01/06/2002-31/05/2003
       |coordinator=[[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]]
       |coordinator=[[Cyprus Neuroscience and Technology Institute]]<br>
       |funding_agency=[[UNDP/UNOPS]]<br>[[United States Institute of Peace|USIP]]<br>[[USAID]]<br>[[CYBER KIDS]]
       |funding_agency=[[UNDP/UNOPS]]<br>[[United States Institute of Peace|USIP]]<br>[[USAID]]<br>[[CYBER KIDS]]
       |total_cost=
       |total_cost=
Line 14: Line 14:


==The Vision==
==The Vision==
The project '''Technology For Peace''' (Tech4Peace) was envisioned and implemented in order to enhance one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication across the military barriers in Cyprus.
The project '''Technology For Peace''' (Tech4Peace) was envisioned and implemented in order to enhance one of the most basic human rights, the right of communication across the military barriers in Cyprus. It was "born" because it was needed. What led to its birth was neither
 
the availability of relevant technology nor the availability of funding, because both were simply not there! The ban of bi-communal meetings imposed by the Turkish Cypriot Authorities following the EU’s decision to postpone accession negotiations with Turkey (summit meeting in Luxembourg, December 1997) stopped our face-to-face dialogues and threatened to nullify all peace building efforts. An alternative means of communication across the border became necessary. At the same time, notwithstanding its status as a developed/ing country, Cyprus was one of the last countries to connect to the Internet. This was partly because of a monopoly of the state-owned Telecommunications Company and partly because of the communications
embargo imposed by the authorities.


==Founding members==
==Founding members==
The Tech4Peace project was founded as one of the projects selected for implementation during a Peace Bazaar organized by the Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group in 1997 <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group#Cyprus_Peace_Bazaar Peace Bazaar in Wikipedia]</ref>. The members of the founding team were [[Yiannis Laouris]], [[Harry Anastasiou]], Dervis Besimler and Bekir Azgin. They were all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]].
The Tech4Peace project was founded as one of the projects selected for implementation during [[The 1995 Agora Peace Bazaar]] organized by the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] on June 24, 1995 during which the  [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] invited in the premises of Ledra Palace others who had expressed interest in joining them in peace building efforts <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyprus_Conflict_Resolution_Trainers_Group#Cyprus_Peace_Bazaar Peace Bazaar in Wikipedia]</ref>. The members of the founding team were [[Yiannis Laouris]], [[Harry Anastasiou]], [[Dervis Besimler]] and [[Bekir Azgin]].  


===Historical Information===
===Historical Information===


The Technology for Peace (Tech4Peace) project began in 1996 with two activities which were practically funded by their participants:
The Technology for Peace concept began as early as 1995 as a spin off from activities of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] as well as initiatives of US-based Cypriot students.:
 
#A bicommunal virtual organisation (known at the time as UCM: [[United Cyprus Movement]]) has been set-up on the Internet to discuss matters of general interest and attempt to inform and recruit Cypriots (both Turkish and Greek) who lived abroad.  The software for automating the workings of this virtual community was partly designed and developed by Greek Cypriot [[Yiannis Laouris]] and Turkish Cypriot [[Turgut Durduran]].  The whole system was hosted in various university servers (USA, Australia), but since 1997 it became a "refugee project" because the expenses rose to a level that the participants couldn’t afford.
# A bicommunal virtual organisation (known at the time as UCM: [[United Cyprus Movement]]) has been set-up on the Internet to discuss matters of general interest and attempt to inform and recruit Cypriots (both Turkish and Greek) who lived abroad.  The software for automating the workings of this virtual community was partly designed and developed by Greek Cypriot [[Yiannis Laouris]] and Turkish Cypriot [[Turgut Durduran]].  The whole system was hosted in various university servers (USA, Australia), but since 1997 it became a "refugee project" because the expenses rose to a level that the participants couldn’t afford.
#Members of the three groups  (Establish bi-communal center to teach Internet and Greek and Turkish languages; Organize bi-communal workshops on problem solving techniques for educationalists; Set up bi-communal training/research center on conflict resolution and problem solving)  their June 1995 Agora organised by  [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]] teamed up with the internet group and created the Technology for Peace Initiative which organised a number of trainings.
# In August 1997, [[Yiannis Laouris|Laouris]] and [[Harry Anastasiou|Anastasiou]] (from the Greek Cypriot side) in coordination with their counterparts in the North, [[Dervis Besimler]] and [[Bekir Azgin]], together with other members of the Initiative from both communities, and all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]], planned and materialized an Internet Workshop for students<ref>Chart</ref>.  This activity was funded (provision for space and snacks) by the [[Fulbright Commission]] and took place in the [[Fulbright Building]] in the Buffer zone.
#In July 1996, [[Yiannis Laouris]], [[Mustafa Anlar]], [[Lefteris Neoptolemou]] and [[Dervis Besimler]] all members of the [[Cyprus Conflict Resolution Trainers Group]], planned and materialized an Internet Workshop for students<ref>[http://www.futureworlds.eu/wiki/File:BICOM_GROUPS_MAP_6_99A3.jpg July 1996 in the Chart]</ref>.  This activity was funded (provision for space and snacks) by the [[Cyprus Fulbright Commission]] and took place in the [[Fulbright Building]] in the Buffer zone.
# In August 1997,  [[Yiannis Laouris|Laouris]] and [[Harry Anastasiou|Anastasiou]] (from the Greek Cypriot side) in coordination with their counterparts in the North, [[Dervis Besimler]] and [[Bekir Azgin]], together with other members of the Technology for Peace Initiative from both communities founded the internet group, which became known as Tech4Peace.
#In July 1998 Technology for Peace held an [[Internet Training Workshop]] in Nicosia, Cyprus.  This training workshop was jointly organized by the [[Institute of World Affairs]] in Washington, D.C., and the Technology for Peace Group in Nicosia, Cyprus.
   
   


Line 52: Line 55:
In addition to providing a sustainable means of communication, internet exposed peacebuilders from both communities to global information.  The fact, for example, that within a few minutes, one could access first-hand information on most recent issues (e.g. EU-Cyprus relations, Palestinean-Israel disputes etc.) or read about the mission and activities of all types of organizations (e.g. Peace Centers, funding organizations, government agencies etc. world-wide).
In addition to providing a sustainable means of communication, internet exposed peacebuilders from both communities to global information.  The fact, for example, that within a few minutes, one could access first-hand information on most recent issues (e.g. EU-Cyprus relations, Palestinean-Israel disputes etc.) or read about the mission and activities of all types of organizations (e.g. Peace Centers, funding organizations, government agencies etc. world-wide).


==Project Description, Sustainability, Impact and bicommunality==
==Key Activities==


===Training===
===Training===
Line 61: Line 64:


Tech4Peace was subsequently funded through UNDP/UNOPS with three grants:
Tech4Peace was subsequently funded through UNDP/UNOPS with three grants:
# [[Using Technology for Virtual Negotiation and Peace]]
# [[Technology for Peace: Phase 2]]
# [[Technology for Peace: Phase 3]]


===Infrastructural Activities===


===Electronic Archives (web pages) and Strategies===
====Electronic Archives (web pages) and Strategies====


In a further series of workshops, the various bicommunal groups created their web pages giving a profile of their work and activities and creating a virtual meeting and promotion place.  This entailed:
In a series of workshops, the various bicommunal groups created their web pages giving a profile of their work and activities and creating a virtual meeting and promotion place.  This entailed:
* Designing the electronic base for their home page with a great range of sub-pages reflecting the entire spectrum of their bicommunal activities and
* Designing the electronic base for their home page with a great range of sub-pages reflecting the entire spectrum of their bicommunal activities and
* Adding the relevant textual-literary content for their pages.
* Adding the relevant textual-literary content for their pages.


This process involved a combination of computer experts designing the electronic base of the TFP internet page(s) working together with active representatives of the various bicommunal groups who will provide and prepare all the relevant information for the content.
This process involved a combination of computer experts designing the electronic base of the Tech4Peace internet page(s) working together with active representatives of the various bicommunal groups who provided and prepared all the relevant information for the content. The objectives were:
 


# Design all the essential pages to be prepared, and their electronic-thematic interrelationships, involving all the relevant persons representing the corresponding areas i.e. Archives of past conflict-resolution workshop results, a magazine section hosting articles on peace, policy scenarios for peace, a record of past bicommunal and peace events, announcements of upcoming events, a "library" of book lists on peace related issues, a page presenting official political documents of the two sides side-by-side including UN documents, a section on imaginative post-solution, news bulletins, etc., a creative ideas section, etc., etc.
# Designing the electronic base for the server that would host the page(s), and their interactive relationships, mostly by people versed in technical matters, graphic designers etc.
# Compilation of the content materials, classifications,  and uploads. There existed a mass of material, ideas and projects which were scattered and essentially unknown and inaccessible to the public and interested parties.
# Developing an on-line web-based system, which would permit the members of the various bicommunal groups to re-vote, thus changing their votes on certain questions based on changes in the real political arenas and the changing broader political environment of the Cyprus problem. The Interactive Management methodology introduced by Professor [[Benjamin Broome]] in Cyprus had been used to develop the first bicommunal vision maps, obstacle maps and options map. With this tool, Tech4Peace wanted to not only have a stationary picture of the three maps, but also a dynamic one that would reflect the changing phases that the Cyprus problem was going through. That would in essence provide a picture of how bicommunal consensus changes in time due to external factors (i.e. political environment, economic changes, crisis events, development of the peace movement etc.). Furthermore, the system would allow any Cypriot citizens from anywhere in the world to participate in a collective map, thus contributing to a Cypriot Bicommunal Peoples' Vision Map. This objective has not been achieved to the present day.


===Workshops===


The workshops will involve four major components:
====Training practically all Bicommunal Groups to use internet====
Two-day workshops were organized to train key representative members of all bicommunal groups in using Internet and Technology For Peace Facilities, such as group e-mail, the TFP Virtual Negotiation Program etc. to facilitate their peace promoting work and coordinate their activities using Cyberspace.


1. Design all the essential pages to be prepared, and their electronic-thematic interrelationships, involving all the relevant persons representing the corresponding areas i.e. Archives of past conflict-resolution workshop results, a magazine section hosting articles on peace, policy scenarios for peace, a record of past bicommunal and peace events, announcements of upcoming events, a "library" of book lists on peace related issues, a page presenting official political documents of the two sides side-by-side including UN documents, a section on imaginative post-solution, news bulletins, etc., a creative ideas section, etc., etc.
====Cultivating a cyberspace culture and publicizing of activities====
In a series of small workshops, Tech4Peace identified, designed and developed the electronic base for Web Pages for each bicommunal group. Each group was encouraged and trained to assume responsibility in designing, developing using and promoting their own cyber office.


2. Design the electronic base for the server that will host the TFP page(s), and their interactive relationships, mostly by people versed in technical matters, graphic designers etc.
====Publishing information====
Tech4Peace contributed in the collecting of content information on activities and work of all the bicommunal groups and up-loaded it on its Web Pages.  It also provided continuing technical support and technical advise to all groups.


3. Compile the content materials, classify them, process them and upload them. There exist already a mass of material, ideas and projects which are scattered and essentially unknown and inaccessible to the public and interested parties.
==Attracting Interns from across the globe==
 
4. Develop an on-line web-based system, which will permit the members of the various bicommunal groups to re-vote, thus changing their votes on certain questions based on changes in the real political arenas and the changing broader political environment of the Cyprus problem. The Interactive Management methodology introduced by Professor Ben Broom in Cyprus has been used to develop the first bicommunal vision maps, obstacle maps and options map. With this tool, we will not only have a stationary picture of the three maps, but also a dynamic one that will reflect the changing phases that the Cyprus problem Is going through. We will thus be in a position to provide a picture of how bicommunal consensus changes in time due to external factors (i.e. political environment, economic changes, crisis events, development of the peace movement etc.). Furthermore, the system will allow any Cypriot citizens from anywhere in the world to participate in a collective map, thus contributing to a Cypriot Bicommunal Peoples' Vision Map.
 
Each of the above phases can in fact be broken down into a more detailed process.
 
3. Infrastructure
 
In order to meet the demands of the coming phases, the technological infrastructure of the project needs to be upgraded.  Previous funding was used for setting up four computers for training purposes, buying an ISDN Router to connect to an ISP, paying ISP connection fees for six months and covering logistics and seminar-related expenses.  For the next phase it is necessary to purchase a full size server (including its software) and connect this to the ISP via a leased line in order to improve performance and reduce costs.
 
Currently, the TFP project is sharing a server put in place by one of its supporting organizations (CYBER Kids).  When this project is supported, TFP will acquire its own server and connection facilities thus rendering it independent.
 
PART V  Beneficiaries
 
The importance of such a project is that it will provide a body of material and knowledge relevant to the peace efforts in Cyprus on which one can build further projects indefinitely.  It can make available, for the first time, world wide, an entire spectrum of information which gives the broader profile of the Cyprus situation and the range of peace building efforts and related culture. It can in effect provide a vital reference point for all those interested and working on the Cyprus problem at various levels ranging from citizens, professionals, academics, students, policy makers and third parties.
 
Especially for peace builders these sites would become a reference point that gives a bicommunal context for the problem and its possible solutions, one which provides information, ideas, and a culture in a peace enhancing framework.   
 
The numbers for each category of beneficiaries can in this sense extend indefinitely, in accordance with interest and initiative.
 
 
PART VI  Implementation arrangements
 
Phase 1:  Set up infrastructure and prepare trainers:
Set-up new server and connect to cyberspace via
leased line.
 
A two day workshop that involves active representatives of key bicommunal groups to prepare them to act as facilitators, organizers and trainers for all upcoming workshops.  Coordination with USA partner and preparation of plan of action and relevant materials.
 
Phase 2:  Train all Bicommunal Groups to use internet:
Two-day workshops to train key representative members of all bicommunal groups in using Internet and Technology For Peace Facilities, such as group e-mail, the TFP Virtual Negotiation Program etc. to facilitate their peace promoting work and coordinate their activities using Cyberspace.
 
Phase 3:  Cultivate a cyberspace culture and publicizing of activities
In a series of small workshops, identify, design and develop the electronic base for Web Pages for each bicommunal group.  Each group will be encouraged and trained to assume responsibility in designing, developing using and promoting their own cyber office.  In other words, groups will be encouraged to go beyond the simplistic development of web pages to the creation of a cyber space and cyber presence that will act as a place of coordination, discussion, data gathering information point, etc. for their activities.  Train a "webmaster" for each group who will be given virtual and physical access to the TFP equipment.
 
Continue collecting content information on activities and work of all the bicommunal groups and up-load it on the appropriate TFP Web Pages.  Provide continuing technical support and technical advise to all groups.
 
==Interns==
Many international students have been attracted to work as interns for the Technology for Peace project. Among them, most notable were:
Many international students have been attracted to work as interns for the Technology for Peace project. Among them, most notable were:
* [[Akihiro Sando]]
* [[Akihiro Sando]]
Line 127: Line 104:
* [[Larry Fergeson]]
* [[Larry Fergeson]]
* [[Pelin Aksoy]]
* [[Pelin Aksoy]]
* [[Randolph Dilday]]
* [[Reinhard Eckert]]
* [[Reinhard Eckert]]


Note: Alphabetic order
Note: Alphabetic order
==Publications==
* Laouris, Y. and Tziapouras, G. (2002). Technology used for peace in Cyprus. Peacebuilding 3(3), 4-8.<br />
* Laouris, Y. (2004). Information technology in the service of peace building. The case of Cyprus. World Futures, 60, 67–79. <br />




==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
==Other Publications==
* Laouris, Y. and Tziapouras, G. (2002). Technology used for peace in Cyprus. Peacebuilding 3(3), 4-8.<br />
* Laouris, Y., Laouri, R. and Christakis, A. (2008). Communication praxis for ethical accountability; The ethics of the tree of action. Syst Res Behav Sci 25(2), 331–348.<br />
* Laouris, Y. and Laouri, R. (2008). Can Information and mobile technologies serve close the economic, educational, digital and social gaps and accelerate development? World Futures, 64(4), 254-275.<br />
* Laouris about Technology and Peace Building (2001). In Marketa Geislerova (Ed): CYPRUS: SHARING THE CANADIAN EXPERIENCE OF LIVING TOGETHER, Canadian Centre for Foreign Policy Development, June 15-17, 2001, Larnaca, Cyprus, 7005.3E [http://www.futureworlds.eu/w/images/5/51/2001_Laouris_in_CanadianReport_AboutTFP.pdf Download].


==External links==
==External links==
Line 150: Line 131:
[[Category:USAID Projects]]
[[Category:USAID Projects]]
[[Category:Projects with SDD]]
[[Category:Projects with SDD]]
[[Category:Peace Projects]]
[[Category:Peace organizations]]
[[Category:Research institutes]]
[[Category: FWC Spinoff]]
Chief ed
Ninja, Ninla, Bots, Bureaucrats, recentchangescleanup, Administrators
4,970

edits

Retrieved from "https://futureworlds.eu/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/6155...23773"

Navigation menu