Technology and Peace: UPEACE offers new course

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Ashoka Yobo Member
April 29th, 2010

Romina joined Ashoka in 2005 and works for Ashoka’s Youth Venture, primarily supporting and creating a strong global movement of young changemakers around the world. Read all of her posts here.

Contrary to common belief, most learning does not take place in formal settings. Learning takes place constantly and all the time. Most times it takes place without our conscious realization because the brain processes, evaluates and organizes information at random moments in time, sometimes well after receiving the information. Emerging technologies are taking the learning process outside formal settings, such as schools, conference rooms, etc., and are not only providing millions of people with access to knowledge, but are also providing information all the time, anytime, anywhere. These new technologies are urging us to redefine the traditional ways we think about how we teach, learn, share information, collaborate and solve problems. The possibilities for learning and sharing are thus expanding exponentially.

Technology undoubtedly has a role to play to transform conflicts, promote peace, fight corruption and much more. Technology has the power to be used for true dialogue and promote online platforms that enable a sense of proximity. In fact, it already has. There is a plethora of examples that demonstrate the power that technology can provide. For example, technology has played a huge role in the Cyprus peace movement for years. It has enabled the development of a “hybrid” methodology based on the science of dialogic design by utilizing emerging technologies to enable a true democratic dialogue between individuals.

It therefore should come to no surprise that Universities, at the center of education, have also started experimenting more with Technology. More and more Universities around the globe offer online courses and degrees, use Wiki’s to promote learning outside the classroom, and offer multiple courses around emerging new technologies. Also more recently, two free online Universities where launched: Peer-to-Peer University and The University of the People. The way we think about sharing information and best practices is rapidly changing and technology is the main protagonist.

It is all these intricacies that technology presents that AshokaPeace’s Nick Martin from UPEACE will try to address in his short summer course on Technology and Peace. The course will specifically focus on the role that these new technologies are playing in peacebuilding and how we can transform conflicts through these new methods available at our disposal. The course, one week long (June 14-18), is perfect for all those interested in exploring the possibilities and challenges that technology brings to our field. For more info about the course watch Nick’s video. Below is also some additional info on the course:

Technology and Peace Short Course at United Nations University for Peace (UPEACE)

Course Description: The advent of new technologies has fundamentally changed the capacity for processing and exchanging information in the 21st century. NGOs and governments, and companies alike are just beginning to understand the potential that these tools and systems can have in analyzing and addressing a range of social problems. This dynamic one-week course will explore how technology is being used to transform conflicts, build more sophisticated statistical models, fight diseases, monitor elections, distribute food, design better economic development measures, and much more. It will also consider some of the key challenges related to access, implementation, scale, and evaluation that working with technology presents. The course is designed for professionals from both the private and public sectors to assist them in developing strategies and skills to benefit their organization amid this rapidly evolving landscape. Participants can expect a hands-on and interactive learning environment with a variety of real world examples from organizations working in the field.

Dates: June 14-18th 2010.

Location: The UPEACE campus is situated on 600 acres of natural reserve in the mountains of Costa Rica. Imagine taking a course with a rainforest out the window and dormant volcanoes in the distance!

Cost: For Credit – $956. For Training: $700. Cost does not include airfare or lodging.

Apply today by filling out the online application form on the UPEACE website. For more information email Nick Martin.

This story originally appeared at the Ashoka Peace Blog

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