Roles of media in peacebuilding & conflict generationSanjana Hattotuwa
Was invited by Associate Professor SungYong Lee at NCPACS to deliver a guest lecture to his 2021 MA class on media's role in peacebuilding violent conflict generation.
Are we collectively ruining democracy? Polarisation of thought and belief seems to be on the increase particularly in the online environment. Where people who think similarly move (or are pushed) towards more fixed or extreme views, it makes it harder for people to express opinions or suggest new ideas. How can we challenge it? This is an opportunity to talk about how groupthink is affecting our lives, and to discuss positive alternatives.
Peace processes after the pandemic: What role for technology?Sanjana Hattotuwa
Increasingly discussed today in the Global North, Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) have featured in mediation processes in the Global South for close upon two decades. This bears mention in what are often discussions that appear to present or posit the use of ICTs in mediation as recent or somehow pegged to the advent and, today, ubiquity of social media. The challenges today are both similar and different to those that existed at the turn of the century. Transparency, agency and voice, central pillars of democracy, find expression, at ever increasing scale, scope, and speed, on social media. Conversely, new forms of spoiler dynamics, linked to in large part the manipulation of public discourse, also use social media as key vectors to incite violence, inflame hate and spread incendiary falsehoods. The dilemma facing mediation today is one of having to deal with vectors of information production that lie entirely beyond the remit of the Chatham House rule, rules of confidential engagement, and the sandboxing needed to incubate fragile processes and relationships. Mediators are bombarded with information they must make sense of, and this sense-making process is itself often under-valued in modern day mediation. The confusion leads to (understandable, yet misplaced) anxiety, which often finds expression in suspicion and scepticism around the role, reach and relevance of ICTs in mediation processes.
Additionally, the post-Coronavirus landscape brings with it added challenges. If physical meetings are no longer viable for the foreseeable future, a key question is how the rich, sensory experience, relational depth, non-verbal cues, physical contact and the security of verbal communication in a closed-door environment can be replicated, and to what degree, through virtually mediated environments. Aside from the obvious cyber-security concerns are also psycho-social, cognitive, socio-cultural, gendered challenges in mediation processes that will be predominantly anchored to online technologies, including social media apps, products, and platforms. Questions asked by Hattotuwa in 2018 are even more relevant in the long-shadow of Covid-19, in addition to others borne out of global and local circumstances that a few months ago seemed unimaginable. How can social media and ICTs help? What is important to focus on, and what are some dangers of today’s conflict landscape beyond the headlines? What questions should mediators ask in order to avoid the more uncommon pitfalls of incorporating ICTs in negotiations processes? Fundamentally, how will conflict transformation, anchored to mediation, change in a post-Coronavirus world where travel and meetings will be severely restricted, or no longer possible to do discreetly? More fundamentally, how can and should expectations from, models of and approaches to mediation change, post-pandemic, in a world increasingly mediated (no pun intended) through social media?
Beyond the global reset: Towards pandemic panopticons or something radically ...Sanjana Hattotuwa
On the invitation of Christina Goodness, Chief Information Management Officer at the Departments of Peacebuilding, Political and Peace Operations DPPA-DPO, United Nations, the ICT4Peace Foundation's Sanjana Hattotuwa gave a presentation titled 'Beyond the global reset: Towards pandemic panopticons or something radically new?' as part of the '(un)data Seminar Series on Outrageous Questions'.
Details and overview at https://ict4peace.org/activities/post-coronavirus-towards-pandemic-panopticons-or-something-radically-new/
This document discusses some of the challenges of truth and transparency in today's digital world. It touches on topics like deepfakes, anonymity online, manipulation of users through algorithms and privacy, radicalization, and the illusion of choice and engagement provided by social media. It argues for more grounded research on how social platforms actually function and could be regulated to focus on duties of care, privacy and health rather than just growth and profits. Overall it examines issues around verifying truth online and finding common ground amid increasing political and social polarization.
This document discusses the challenges of regulating and shaping violent conflict in the modern era. It notes issues like the engineered and constant nature of conflicts, the invisibility of media manipulation, and the weaponization of algorithms. It questions the role, reach and relevance of organizations like the UN in peacekeeping, and argues that the Global South should be seen as agentive actors rather than just voiceless victims in discussions around conflict.
«From the burning of the Notre Dame in Paris to heinous terrorism in Sri Lanka and Christchurch, social media inextricably is entwined with how billions see or engage with the world.»
More details at https://ict4peace.org/activities/full-video-slidedeck-of-lecture-from-christchurch-to-sri-lanka-the-curious-case-of-social-media/
Social media and pervasive technology may impact closed-door, high-level peace negotiations in the future as radical transparency increases. Livestreams from negotiations could influence fragile societies undergoing discussions about identity and resources. Additionally, digital natives may approach justice, reconciliation, and outcomes differently than past frameworks. Overall, social media presents challenges like the potential weaponization of the technology, but it also provides opportunities such as using big data for context on the underlying drivers of conflict and peace.
Presentation delivered at the Zentrum für Internationale Friedenseinsätze gGmbH (Centre for International Peace Operations) based in Berlin, Germany, as part of an event to celebrate 15 years since its inception on 28 June 2017.
Human Rights & ICTs. A presentation delivered on 1 April 2017 to Amnesty International's 2017 Chairs Assembly and Director's Forum (CADF), held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The document discusses issues around surveillance, privacy, and ethics in the digital age. It notes that personal data is increasingly being collected and stored by governments and companies without proper oversight or user consent. New laws allow intelligence agencies to access people's web browsing histories and communication data. Maintaining privacy has become difficult as technology advances and more entities seek to gather and leverage people's digital information for surveillance or other purposes. Overall it raises concerns about how surveillance has become normalized and privacy eroded in today's digital world.
I was recently asked to put together a presentation on the fake news phenomenon for discussions with leading journalists and media institutions in a developing country, with extremely poor media literacy but strong growth around social media use, on how to both identify misleading content and also stem its flow, reach and influence.
Download the full presentation as a PowerPoint (with embedded videos) or as an Apple Keynote file, here - https://drive.google.com/open?id=0Bxbk4wYolphwcVk4bV85aEFtYXc
Gave a short presentation at the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) on 26th October on drone journalism, as part of the excellent OneSriLanka Journalism Fellowship programme, supported by Internews.
Digital transformation and the role of civil society in Sri LankaSanjana Hattotuwa
The Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit Regional office South Asia organized a regional seminar on "Promoting Liberty Digitally" in Sri Lanka from 15th to 17th October 2016. I was asked to speak on "Digital transformation and the role of Civil Society in Sri Lanka" and to be present at a group discussion on "Civil rights and the Internet".
Government Information Centre as portal for Right to InformationSanjana Hattotuwa
I was recently asked for my input to a submission to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) process around Sri Lanka’s Right to Information (RTI) framework. In the course of my research, I revisited the Government's 1919 call centre and web based services, run by the Government Information Centre.
A message to the Israel’s and Palestinian's leaders.pdfSabry Shaheen
A message to the Israel’s and Palestinian's leaders
Achieving peace in Middle East
Hatred and injustice have resulted in destruction and atrocities.
Cultivating more hatred and injustice will result in more destruction and atrocities for generations.
Both Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live in peace in secured homes
We should support the Israel’s existence, but we should not support Israel’s injustice.
Israel might be reluctant to accept solutions based on UN resolutions or based on Christian or Islamic teachings, so we propose a solution based on the teachings of Judaism.
The Israeli–Palestinian conflict could be resolved if we refer to the religion teachings as taught by Moses.
The core of the issue is the inaccurate understanding that the Jews are the unconditionally chosen people of God; that is wrong according to the teachings of Moses like Exodus 19:5, Leviticus 18:4-5, Leviticus 26, Deuteronomy 11:18-20, 11:26-28 , Deuteronomy 28, Deuteronomy 30:15-16 , and Deuteronomy 30:19, Deuteronomy 32:46-47
Those are the most reiterated and consistent teachings of Torah which teach that the choice of God and the blessings are conditional ‘blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience’
Moses did not teach that the Jews are the only chosen people; the correct definition of the chosen people of God as taught by Moses is an open invitation to each person to be a chosen son of God by obedience, by maintaining justice, by applying one measure or one law for Jews and Non-Jews, for taking care of the orphans, the widows, and the strangers
Jewish scholars do not teach the original teachings anymore; they teach the distorted teachings of Deuteronomy 9:5-6 and Deuteronomy 7:6 in order to claim that God has chosen them regardless of the condition of obedience
Those claims were not taught by Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, or by the Prophets; those prophets have warned of the wrong teachings
In order to resolve the conflict, it is necessary to follow the original teachings, to maintain justice and to have the same law for Jews and non-Jews as per the original Torah teachings Deuteronomy 25:13-16, Exodus 12:49, Leviticus 19:33-37, Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:15-16, Deuteronomy 24:14-15
To resolve the conflict, it is necessary to maintain Justice as taught by Moses and the Prophets; if any house or land is not sold to the Jews; then the old owner or his descendant must be fairly compensated
To resolve the conflict, it is necessary to use the same measure and the same law for Jew and non-Jew as taught by Moses and by the Prophets
Good Jewish teachers have a role to play; they can teach the original teachings instead of the distorted teachings
Good Muslim scholars have a role to play; they can explain the teachings that encourage forgiveness instead of revenge; they can teach the verses which encourage reconciliation and friendship
The most frequently used Hebrew word is Shalom; the most frequently used Arabic word is Salam; both words mean PEACE
Conquering Load Balancing: Experiences from ScyllaDB DriversScyllaDB
Load balancing seems simple on the surface, with algorithms like round-robin, but the real world loves throwing curveballs. Join me in this session as we delve into the intricacies of load balancing within ScyllaDB Drivers. Discover firsthand experiences from our journey in driver development, where we employed the Power of Two Choices algorithm, optimized the implementation of load balancing in Rust Driver, mitigated cloud costs through zone-aware load balancing and combated the issue of overloading a particular core of ScyllaDB. Be prepared to delve into the practical and theoretical aspects of load balancing, gaining valuable insights along the way.
एडिटर्स गिल्ड ऑफ इंडिया ने स्पीकर को पत्र लिखकर संसदीय कार्यवाही तक पत्रकारों की ‘पूर्ण’ पहुंच बहाल करने का आग्रह किया है, जिसे पहले कोविड-19 संबंधी प्रोटोकॉल के कारण हटा दिया गया था।
साकेत कोर्ट के मेट्रोपोलिटन मजिस्ट्रेट राघव शर्मा ने पाटकर को वीके सक्सेना को 10 लाख रुपये का हर्जाना देने का भी आदेश दिया क्योंकि अदालत ने माना कि वीके सक्सेना के खिलाफ प्रकाशन उनकी सार्वजनिक प्रतिष्ठा को नुकसान पहुंचाने के इरादे से जारी किए गए थे।
INGRADINATS OF A SUCCESSFUL POLICY - Copy (1).docxJIT KUMAR GUPTA
Policies and planning form integral part of governance of any nation, state and community. Every state, region and city must have an overarching policy dedicated to promoting universal good, prosperity, equity and quality of life of both existing and future population going to live in the given geographical area. Policies are the outcome of the vision and approach adopted/stated/declared by the group governing any geographical entity. In the political system, it is invariably the ruling party , which remains, primarily and essentially, involved in formulation and implementation of policies. In a democratic system of governance, policy formulation falls in the domain of party elected/voted to power through the process of election. In the other systems , it is the entity/people who exercise power and authority, by virtue of the system put in place for governing the state/nation. In majority of cases, basic agenda , aim and objective of any policy framed by the governance structure, is to ensure that ruling entity remains perpetually in power. Against this objective, all policies put in place focus on empowering people in power and intend to make ordinary citizens happy and supportive of the policies put in place.Majority of nations and communities are suffering from the malaise of irrational policies formulation at the state and the local level, which are embedded with distortions.Many communities , nations and states also suffer from policy paralysis.Policy formulation must define, intent, contents, scope, specify goals and objectives to be achieved; communities to be addressed; process of implementation, time-frame for implementation and expected outcome; for evaluation etc. Wrong policies are known to damage the basic fabric of the society whereas policies addressing universal good framed in a transparent manner are known to elevate the nations and communities.
वोट देने की अपनी आज़ादी का इस्तेमाल करने के लिए जाते ही अंजुमा को संदिग्ध विदेशी घोषित कर दिया गया, जिसके बाद उन्हें अपनी नागरिकता वापस पाने के लिए कई सालों तक संघर्ष करना पड़ा। अब आखिरकार, कई सालों के संघर्ष के बाद, CJP ने अंजुमा को उनकी खोई हुई नागरिकता वापस पाने में मदद की है।
QUIZARU ONLINE QUIZ BY RISAV AND MANTRASRI.pdfRisav Singha
Introducing Risav Singha and Mantrasri Ganguly, the dynamic duo of quiz partners and quiz masters. With a shared passion for reading and a relentless curiosity, they bring their love of knowledge to every challenge. Together, they inspire and engage, turning every quiz into a journey of discovery. -Slideshare
30062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
India’s Voice Getting “Stronger” In a World Surrounded By Challenges: PM Modiarora90avinash
The Italian government has strategically chosen the location of the Summit. Apulia is a region in the southern part of the country. The place was historically known to be a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.
Visit Us: - https://www.orfonline.org/research/modi-in-apulia-india-can-be-the-bridge-between-g7-and-the-rest
28 जून को मुंबई के माहिम स्थित सेंट माइकल चर्च में 1 जुलाई से लागू हुए तीन आपराधिक कानूनों पर चर्चा का आयोजन किया गया। तीन नए आपराधिक कानून ‘भारतीय नागरिक सुरक्षा संहिता (बीएनएसएस) अधिनियम 2023’, ‘भारतीय न्याय संहिता (बीएनएस) अधिनियम 2023’ और ‘भारतीय साक्ष्य अधिनियम (बीएसए) अधिनियम 2023’ ने भारतीय दंड संहिता, 1860, दंड प्रक्रिया संहिता और भारतीय साक्ष्य अधिनियम की जगह ली है।
27062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Pride march, other related events could be targets for violenceMyFlooronline
Pride march, other related events could be targets for violence, NYPD says4
Saving a historic LGBTQ+ safe space in New York City
Saving a historic LGBTQ+ safe space in New York City
The People’s Beach at Jacob Riis Park has long been a gathering place for the queer comm...Show More
This weekend's Pride March and other Pride-related events throughout New York City could be targets for violence, the New York Police Department's Intel Bureau warned.
"LGBTQIA+ community remains a high priority target for violent extremists and malicious actors across the ideological spectrum, necessitating elevated vigilance during the Pride March and the other Pride-related events across New York City," according to the NYPD.
In this June 25, 2023, file photo, New York City Police Department officers, standing beh...
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UIG via Getty Images, FILE
People gather outside of the Stonewall Inn as President Joe Biden's motorcade passes by...
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Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (REMVEs), homegrown violent extremists (HVEs), and ideologically unaffiliated malicious actors harboring anti-LGBTQIA+ grievances may view these widely publicized, heavily attended, and symbolic events as an opportunity to carry out an attack," according to the NYPD.
The Pride March is set to kick off Sunday at 12 p.m. on 25th Street and Fifth Avenue. It will then proceed south on Fifth Avenue before heading west on Eight Street, crossing over to Sixth Avenue.
In this June 25, 2023, file photo, a large crowd watches the NYC Pride March 2023 on 5...
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UIG via Getty Images, FILE
The march will then continue on Christopher Street, then turn north on Seventh Avenue, ending in Chelsea at 16th Street and Seventh Avenue.
The NYPD noted there have been numerous acts of violence against members of the LGBTQIA+ community this year and in previous years.