The hottest Peacebuilding Substack posts right now

Companies on social media make money when users stay longer, often through engaging and polarizing content.
Algorithmic extremism on social media rewards and amplifies extremist content, resulting in more polarization in conversations.
Promoting pro-social design governance and tools on social media can help build cohesion, encourage understanding, and bring out the best in humanity.

Preventing conflicts in African states involves more than just promoting democracy and good governance; a deeper understanding of complex factors like identity, power dynamics, and economic incentives is crucial.
African states' weakness and susceptibility to conflicts stem from historical and structural factors, like the maintenance of colonial borders and lack of incentives for strong state-building.
To reduce conflict likelihood, African states should focus on improving rural governance, addressing international dimensions, localizing conflicts, and avoiding the use of mercenaries.

NATO serves as a defense pact among countries, fostering collective security.
For NATO to act effectively as a global government, member countries must uphold their defense spending commitments.
In a scenario where NATO evolves into a world government, it could potentially facilitate global peace by pooling resources and deterring aggression.

The Council on Tech and Social Cohesion is focused on incentivizing technology to promote trust and collaboration, rather than division and conflict.
The revamped Steering Committee consists of diverse experts working at the intersection of technology and social cohesion, driving initiatives like design codes, elections integrity best practices, and digital peacebuilding efforts.
The Council is working on multiple fronts such as public policy, funding, establishing metrics, scientific evolution, and implementation to drive the adoption of prosocial technology and mitigate harms.

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Imagine the potential of AI mediators to assist in conflict resolution alongside human mediators, offering objective perspectives and solutions.
Digital technologies have the power to enhance inclusion in mediation and peace processes by addressing barriers like distance, language needs, and limited access to information.
Social media analytics and digital technologies are increasingly being integrated into peace agreements to address harmful social media content and amplify voices for peace.

Deliberative technology, enhanced by AI, can foster inclusive public discourse by bringing together diverse perspectives to tackle shared challenges.
Deliberative technologies enable dynamic exchanges that go beyond traditional polls, allowing participants to refine solutions collaboratively.
The integration of AI in deliberative tech not only streamlines processes but also amplifies democratic participation, navigates polarization, and reveals common ground for more effective solutions.

Both Israelis and Palestinians are searching for home and security.
It's important to move beyond false dichotomies and see the humanity in both communities.
The trauma and pain of seeking home is universal but experienced deeply by Israelis and Palestinians.

Compassion can lead to a deeper understanding and new possibilities for peace.
Violence arises from pain turning into hate; breaking this pattern is crucial for peace.
To achieve peace, it is necessary to address the root causes that turn individuals into perpetrators of violence.

Clearly define the problem to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Use tools like the Fishbone Diagram to visually map out causes and connections.
Employ techniques like the "5 Whys" to dig deeper into root causes and prioritize based on impact for effective problem-solving.

Tech can bring people together and promote peace and democracy if designed with trust and collaboration in mind.
Digital tools like chatbots and AI can play a significant role in transforming conflict zones and promoting peace online and offline.
Events like the Digital Peacebuilding Expo and the Defending Democracy Symposium highlight the potential of tech to enhance societal well-being and drive positive change in our digital landscapes.