Country Index
The following list provides a brief description of ethnic and/or religious conflicts within countries worldwide. Each country is linked to the CIA World Fact Book to provide the reader with more information about the country and a list of current programs (involving ICTs and other mechanisms) to promote reconciliation. Not only does this country index serve as a database for readers, but it provides Roads to Resolution space to monitor various ICT programs in order to analyze and recommend which programs work best.
Countries
Middle East
Israel/Palestine
Since the division of Palestine and the creation of the state of Israel after the end of World War II, there has been conflict between Israel on the one side and Palestinians on the other. There have been several wars fought, involving Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced.
It was not until the early 1990s that a peace process began between the Palestinians and the Israelis. The main issues on the road to resolution include: the status of Jerusalem and the fate of Palestinian refugees and Jewish settlements.
Current programs:
1. Seeds of Peace
A program that recruits youth from conflict regions to participate in their International Camp program in Maine, U.S. The goal is for these youth, who see each other as enemies back home, to work together and learn to overcome differences, ultimately creating friendships and becoming seeds of hope for the future.
2. Hello Peace
A toll-free telephone service, where Palestinians and Israelis can call in and talk to each other about reconciliation and peace.
3. Peacemaker
A game inspired by the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, where you play the role of either Israel's Prime Minister or Palestine's President. The player must make decisions based on real-life news events.
4. A Force More Powerful
A team works on developing strategic nonviolent conflict resolution projects, which include: video, books, and computer games.
Iraq
In 2003 the United States waged a war in Iraq, and the conflict has been ongoing ever since. The ongoing violence in Iraq has made it difficult for resolution in the country, mainly due to the contained presence of multinational forces, sectarian and ethnic differences and other destabilizing factors. An effective resolution to the conflict would include an Iraqi state where the human rights of all Iraqis are respected and secured.
Current programs:
1. United States Institute of Peace "National Security Officials Training"
Training and Educating local Iraqi citizens to help bring about a Democratic Iraq. The National Security Officials Training workshop incorporates a two week long training session where Iraqis participated in the Strategic Economic Needs and Security Exercise (SENSE) – a computer-based simulation that focused participants on coordinated decision making in post conflict environments.
2. Art of Living Foundation
This is a group providing trauma relief camps consisting of various services such as meals, clothing, and meditation.
3. USAID Iraq Community-Based Conflict Mitigation Program
USAID has sponsored the Iraq Community-Based Conflict Mitigation Program (ICCM). The program's intent is to assess the community conflict situation locally and therefore, mitigate the issues quickly. The program intends to work with local Provincial Reconstruction Teams (USAID subject-area experts, US Coalition forces, and other US government agencies) in Iraq. The contract for the ICCM has been given to Relief International of California and the Colombia University Center for International Conflict Resolution New York.
Lebanon
Since the end of Lebanon's civil war in 1990, the country has been struggling to establish and maintain a peaceful, democratic, and independent region - free of outside interference. The recent devastation brought about by the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in the summer of 2006, has brought new humanitarian, political, and peacemaking challenges.
Current programs
1. UNDP - Peace Building: A Strategy for Conflict Prevention in Lebanon
The strategy for conflict prevention focuses on the empowerment of the institutions in Lebanon's civil society and create a social structure change.
2. UNDP - Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Programme for Southern Lebanon
Since 1996, the UNDP has helped the government of Lebanon, in generally developing a program focused on the socio-economic rehabilitation of Southern Lebanon.
Asia
Burma/Myanmar
After gaining independence from Britain in 1928, Burma was a democratic until a 1962 coup where General Ne Win came to power. In 1992 the State Peace and Development Council, a military led government, came to power. The military government has been the focus of human rights violations - particularly against ethnic minorities.
Current programs:
1. Campaigning for Human Rights and Democracy in Burma
The Burma Campaign UK is trying to restore human rights and democracy in Burma through three avenues: discouraging trade and investment, raising public awareness regarding Burma, and putting international pressure on the UK government, European Union, the Association of South East Asian Nations, and the United Nations. Furthermore, activities that help promote their work are: direct lobbying of the UK and EU governments, carrying out campaigns, public education, lobbying businesses, and research. Some of their current campaigns include a report to the UN Security Council regarding UN Security Council Intervention and discouraging clothing manufacturers to withdraw from production and sourcing in Burma.
China/Tibet
From 1959 until today, China has ruled Tibet - albeit labeling Tibet as an autonomous region. There have been and continue to be protests by Tibetans against rule by the government of China, and there remains a history of human rights violations against the Tibetan people.
Current Programs:
1. International Campaign for Tibet
The International Campaign for Tibet is based in Washington, DC and is a non-profit organization working to promote human rights and independence for Tibetans and to help protect their environment and culture. The International Campaign for Tibet encourages others to support their mission in five ways: Sending a letter to U.S. President Bush, telling people about the Tibet problem and campaign, encouraging donations to the campaign, get involved in the race for Tibet campaign, and to find a local support Tibet program.
2. International Tibet Support Network
The International Tibet Support Network is an international group of Tibet-related NGO's united together. The Network's goals are to provide the various Tibet-related NGO's with coordinated campaign strategies and enabling organizations to work together in helping Tibet.
3. Beijing 2008, Race for Tibet
Race for Tibet is a campaign by the International Campaign for Tibet. As an organization, Race for Tibet supports the non-violent movement for Tibetan rights by making the Beijing 2008 Olympics a catalyst for change for Tibet.
North Korea
Since the end of the Korean War, North and South Korea were divided. North Korea, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, was ruled by President Kim Il Sung as a Communist state. Currently, his son, Kim Jong Il is the current ruler of North Korea.
Current Programs:
1. Humanitarian Information Archived program
HIC creates a common framework of action for managers of information representing various organization such as international agencies, NGOs, and local actors. HIC ensures that these organizations have access to the information management tools needed to assess, plan, implement and monitor humanitarian assistance given local conditions via the internet. HIC’s website is a hub for information for anyone to access. They are facilitators of standardized data collection, analysis and dissemination, as well as individual and joint initiatives. HIC aims at promoting a culture of information-sharing thus creating an awareness of good practices.
2. The Carter Center Conflict Resolution Program
The Carter Center seeks to create dialogue and prevent conflict. In 1994, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter negotiated the terms of dialogue for the first time in forty years between North Korea and the U.S. Later, in June 1994, former President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Mrs. Carter, became the first people to cross the border to South Korea and then back again to North Korea since the division of the two countries after the Korean War.
Cambodia
More than 30 years after the end of the Khmer Rouge regime, was left devastated and is now on the way towards post-conflict resolution and stability. Achievements have been made since the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, yet much remains to be done.
Current Programs:
1. The Advocacy Project - Supporting Advocates for Peace
The Advocacy Project helps community-based advocates produce and spread information to become more effective advocates for social justice. Essentially, The Advocacy Project can help local groups make better use of Information and Communication technology for social justice, promotes a fellowship program, and training in advocacy among other things.
Indonesia
Indonesia faces separatist and sectarian fighting in several parts of the archipelago, in addition to Papua, giving rise to fears the country could break apart. The government has taken a hard-line approach to separatist movements since it lost control of East Timor in 1999. Many cultural differences exist between Indonesians and the indigenous population and complaints about the Javanization of Irian Jaya exacerbated tensions.
Current Programs
1.Conflict Transformation Radio Programme
The motto of this radio programme is "We may be different but we like to be together"(Menteng Pangkalan). This is Indonesia's first ever radio drama about conflict and conflict transformation. Menteng Pangkalan is a soap opera broadcast three times per week since January 2002, on over 135 radios all over Indonesia, from Aceh to Papua.
2. Conflict Transformation Comic Book Programme
Gebora is a series of comic books that are easy to follow and humorously convey messages of tolerance. This series of 12 episodes is set in a fictional village called Pagar Bukit in Kalimantan and tells the story of five teenagers from different backgrounds who form a football team and learn to relate and get along despite their differences.
Central Asia
Azerbaijan
For many years, the political situation in Azerbaijan has been focused mainly on the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh is a region of land in dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
Current Programs:
1. AzerWeb
AzerWeb is an Internet and Intranet on-line information system designed to promote dialogue and information sharing within the humanitarian and commercial sectors of Azerbaijan via website.
South East Asia
India
Pakistan
In 1947 the Indian subcontinent became independent from British rule, and its population had to decide whether to join India or Pakistan. The ruler of Jammu and Kashmir, a state between both new countries, was a Hindu and could not decide which country to join (Muslim Pakistan or predominantly Hindu India). Thus, the ruler of Jammu and Kashmir signed an agreement with Pakistan in order to maintain free trade and communication. India did not sign such an agreement. Since that time, conflict has ensued between India and Pakistan over the accession of Jammu and Kashmir.
Current Programs:
1. Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace: Athwaas
After the Kashmir Roundtable "Breaking the Silence - Women and Kashmir", there was a move to form a group of all-Kashmiris who would network for awareness, advocacy and reconciliation. The group of Kashmiri's include: Muslims, Hindus, and Sikhs. Between 2001 and 2004, the Athwaas group made as many as eight trips through Kashmir and spoke to women regarding the conflict, identified support structures, coping mechanisms, and creating awareness about alternatives to address grievances.
South America:
Peru
Abimael Guzman, former university professor, created Sindero Luminoso (the Shining Path) in the late 1960s, and his teachings created the foundation of its militant Maoist doctrine. In the 1980s, SL became one of the most ruthless terrorist groups in the Western Hemisphere. Its stated goal is to destroy existing Peruvian institutions and replace them with a communist peasant revolutionary regime. It also opposes any influence by foreign governments, as well as by other Latin American guerrilla groups, especially the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA).
Current Programs:
1. Truth and Reconciliation Commission
Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission convened in July 2001 to investigate human rights abuses that occurred between 1980 and 2000 and make recommendations. The Commission focused on massacres, forced disappearances, human rights violations, terrorist attacks, and violence against women, committed by rebel groups such as Shining Path and Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement as well as the Peruvian military. Its work encompassed holding public meetings, collecting testimonies, and making forensic investigations. It also made recommendations for reparations and institutional reforms.
2. Interpeace
Interpeace focuses on bringing together civil society networks and state institutions, including the government and military to agree on key issues of security in a democratic society. They do this by strengthening the influence of civilian actors and bringing together government institutions, including the armed forces, academic institutions, and civilians to identify the main challenges in transforming state security forces in order to make policy recommendations on reform.
Guatemala
In a 1999 report, the UN-sponsored Commission for Historical Clarification estimated that 200,000 people were killed or disappeared during Guatemala's 36-year internal armed conflict. 42,275 victims, including men, women, and children were registered by the Commission. The conclusion the Commission reached was that acts of genocide had been committed in at least four regions of the country. In order to guarantee justice and prevent such atrocities from recurring, the Commission strongly recommended that the individuals responsible for these abuses should be brought to justice by the leading Guatemalan authorities and that some kind of reparations policy should be pushed and promoted.
Current Programs:
1. United Nations Verification Missions in Guatemala Minugua
2. Interpeace
Interpeace focuses on bringing together civil society networks and state institutions, including the government and military to agree on key issues of security in a democratic society. They do this by strengthening the influence of civilian actors and bringing together government institutions, including the armed forces, academic institutions, and civilians to identify the main challenges in transforming state security forces in order to make policy recommendations on reform.
Europe:
Bosnia and Herzegovina
This region was devastated with extreme human and financial costs from the Balkan wars. Due to this, the region was devastated, especially Bosnia, where by more than tens of thousands of people died and as many as one million were displaced. The Dayton Accords, signed in 1995, established a political structure to accommodate Bosnia's warring factions including: Serbs, Croats, and Bosnian Muslims (Bosniak). The Constitution established a central government with a bicameral legislature, a three-member presidency consisting of a Bosnian Croat, a Bosniak, and a Bosnian Serb, and a council of ministers, a constitutional court, and a central bank.
Current programs:
1. Videoletters
Videoletters is a reconciliation project utilizing video to share people’s stories from post-conflict torn countries. Due to its success at reconciling people, it was launched as a TV series in the countries comprising the former Yugoslavia and was first broadcast in 2005.
Northern Ireland https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ei.html
Due to extreme disagreement and discrimination regarding the political status of Northern Ireland, for over 30 years, the six counties that comprise Northern Ireland experienced numerous deaths and injuries. Between 1966 and 1999 more than 3,600 people were killed and 36,000 injured as the conflict spread beyond Northern Ireland's borders into England and elsewhere. Most of the victims have been civilians.
Current Programs:
1. Clonard Monastery Youth Centre, Belfast
This is a voluntary full-time youth center in a community with very high levels of stratification, social and economic deprivation. In 2003, the Center began a cross-community/cross-border information and communication technology (ICT) training and reconciliation project. The aim of the project was to promote social inclusion and reconciliation by providing a target group of thirty young people, aged from 13-18 yrs old, with opportunities, through the use of ICTs, to gain skills and knowledge to increase their employability. In addition, the project gave young people the opportunity to explore each individual’s cultural identity and learn to interact with people different from them as they work in groups and seek assistance from their peers.
Africa:
Burundi
Since independence in 1962 Burundi experienced repressive military dictatorships and violent conflict between the country's Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups. After a decade of civil war and a three-year transition, Burundi held its first successful post-war democratic elections in August of 2005. For the first time since independence, a violent dispute over power among Hutu parties has eclipsed the traditional Hutu-Tutsi inter-ethnic conflict as the elections left some key political figures with uncertain futures.
Current Programs:
1. Studio Ijambo
Studio Ijambo, Kirundi for “wise words,” launched in 1995 by Search for Common Ground, a non profit based in Washington DC. Studio Ijambo is the first independent radio studio in Burundi and it produces 15 hours of current affairs programming and radio drama each week with content focusing on promoting dialogue, peace, and reconciliation.
2. International Documentation Network on the Great African Lakes Region
This Network is concerned with disseminating information on a national and international level via their website. Since the control and access of information is a decisive factor for war and negative influences of extremists groups, in order to promote reconciliation in such hostile conditions, one must start with promoting transparency. For this reason, the Documentation Network intends to be a reliable and complete information service to different users
3. Reflect ICT Projects - Burundi
Reflect is part of pilot projects launched in three other countries in 2003 by the UK charity ActionAid. It attempts to use ICTs to enhance the link between grassroots analysis and national peace processes, create links by promoting and expanding Reflect groups and create awareness amongst the wider NGO community on approaches to peace building, strengthen existing communication systems, and enable exchange of ideas between people in varying villages.
Liberia
When President Charles Taylor left office in November 2003, Liberia concluded a period of civil war which led to the collapse of the Liberian state. The transitional period was one of extreme international engagement with the reconstruction of the country through the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), deployed in September 2003. A few years later however, there was rising concern over the lack of accountability for reconstruction funds which led donors to impose the intrusive Governance and Economic Management Assistance Plan (GEMAP), aimed at improving governance practices and accountability for funds during the reconstruction period. Liberia successfully overcame its first major peace building hurdle in January 2006 with the election of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf..
Current Programs:
-1. SFCG: Talking Drums Studios
Radio programming that creates awareness for Liberians on issues such as the election process, rehabilitation and reintegration of Libera's IDPs and refugees. Talking Drum Studios (TDS) multi-media studios is comprised of a multi-ethnic team of journalists and producers to stimulate national dialogue around critical issues. TDS produces a wide range of radio and audio programming, along with print articles and videos that are relevant to everyone and factor in all key actors in the conflicts.
2. Humantarian Information:
HIC creates a common framework of action for managers of information representing various organization such as international agencies, NGOs, and local actors. HIC ensures that these organizations have access to the information management tools needed to assess, plan, implement and monitor humanitarian assistance given local conditions via the internet. HIC’s website is a hub for information for anyone to access. They are facilitators of standardized data collection, analysis and dissemination, as well as individual and joint initiatives. HIC aims at promoting a culture of information-sharing thus creating an awareness of good practices.
Sudan
Sudan, Africa's largest country, spans multiple religious, ethnic and socio-economic divides between Muslims and Christians, Arab and African, nomad and farmer. Sudan is currently under pressure and experiencing conflict in three main regions: the South, Darfur (West) and East. Sudan's longest civil war began in 1983, positioning Muslims from the north against Christians and Animist from the south leaving 2 million people dead and 4 million displaced.
Current Programs:
1. Sudan Radio Service:
SRS seeks to equip listeners with tools and knowledge to participate in peace making, reconciliation and development processes in Sudan. SRS does so by informing Sudanese on matters relating to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), providing balanced news and information on issues of education, agriculture, gender, and health, and by building the capacity of Sudanese journalists and media partners. SRS utilizes radio to empower Sudanese journalists to vocalize their opinions rather than be crippled by fear in the midst of the conflict and corruption. SRS strives to promote dialogue, transparency, and reconciliation through their radio service.
2. Gurtong
Gurtong Peace Trust Project is an independent, not-for-profit, community-based project, which aims at removing all ethnic, political or personal tensions. It aims at promoting peace and mutual respect among South Sudanese. The Gurtong Peace Trust Project broadens its peace-building and information activities among South Sudanese at home and in the Diaspora in the following three ways: by providing information through the website, a non-partisan information platform on social, political, legal and administrative issues in South Sudan, by promoting pride in the local cultures of the people of South Sudan, and finally, the website offers South Sudanese around the world a moderated discussion board. As peace has become a reality and use of the internet becomes increasingly wide-spread in South Sudanese cities and towns, the Gurtong Peace Project is in a position to intensify networking among local NGOs and Sudanese civil society organizations. Gurtong seeks to expand into broadcast radio and print magazine in 2008.
3. Humantarian Information:
HIC creates a common meeting point and framework of action for information managers from diverse organizations such as international agencies, NGOs, and local actors. They ensure that these organizations have access to the information management tools needed to assess, plan, implement and monitor humanitarian assistance given local conditions; facilitate standardized data collection, analysis and dissemination, as well as individual and joint initiatives; and promote a culture of information-sharing and awareness of good practices. Some examples of specific material they are providing the Darfur community include maps, the OCHA Sudan website, and the U.N. Sudan information gateway.
South Africa
Prior to 1948 British and Afrikaners ruled together under the Union of South Africa. However, in 1948, the National Party was voted into power and instituted a policy of apartheid (the separate development of the races). The first multi-racial elections in 1994 brought an end to apartheid and ushered in black majority rule and now South Africa is a leading country continually working on peace building and reconciliation.
Current Programs:
1. Southern Africa Humanitarian Information Management System
Human development through information management for coordinated disaster and humanitarian response.
2. Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a court-like body assembled in South Africa after the end of Apartheid, when South Africa was transitioning to a full and free democracy. The court was open to anyone who felt he or she had been a victim of violence, as they could come to court and be heard in front of the Commission. Furthermore, those who had committed violence could also give testimony and request amnesty from prosecution. TRC is generally regarded as being a successful model as peace and reconciliation program.
3. Institute for Justice and Reconciliation
The Reconciliation and Social Reconstruction programme seeks to promote processes of reconciliation in post-apartheid
South Africa through these three main mechanisms: building an inclusive society, education for reconciliation and memory, art and healing.
4. The Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation
The Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation is involved in policy making, community interventions, service delivery, education and training, as well as providing consultation services. The primary goal is build reconciliation, human rights, and democracy culture. The South Africa focuses on strengthening Community-based Reconciliation and Peace Building in South Africa.
The source for the aforementioned information is taken from the United Nations and the U.S. State Department.
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