Colleagues have previously argued on this blog that public opinion is a critical force in conflict transformation and peace building. It makes intuitive sense that serious assessment of the viability of peace processes requires taking stock of various societal forces -- not just the political will of elites but also the public will comprised of the preferences of various stakeholder groups.
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This group of Kenyans singing the Indian anthem is part of Pangea Day. In 2006, filmmaker Jehane Noujaim won the annual TED award. A self-described American-Lebanese/Egyptian/Syrian, Jehane has become known for her documentary “Control Room,” an insightful view at the relationship between Al Jazeera and the US Central Command, as well as the other news organizations that covered the Second Iraq War. The TED prize granted $100,000 and a wish to change the world. Her wish was to create a day in which the world came together through film.
I was surfing the web, looking for some material on “leadership”, when I came across this music video-clip which I found striking and wanted to share with you. And not because it is my favorite type of music… Posted under:
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Political transformations are challenging processes; they can be messy; the signing of a peace accord is often only the first step in a long process. Opening up the political space, particularly in places that experienced years of domination, will increase the number of voices that call for more participation and a say in the process. These calls can feel threatening to an elite still used to the principle of exclusion and patronage; they require a change of political mind-set and acceptance of a fundamentally changed political framework. And yet, in countries emerging from violent conflict measures that head these calls and effectivly address issues of social and political exclusion are central to achieving long-term stability. Posted under:
The ethnic clashes that broke out after the announcement of Kenya’s Presidential election results have reportedly resulted in over 500 deaths and caused some 250.000 people to leave their homes and seek refuge in tribal homelands; some 3000 Kenyans crossed into neighboring Uganda looking for safety. Violence around contested elections is not new to Kenya; clashes along ethnic lines led to some 1500 dead in 1992, and 200 died around the polling in 1997; and though generally considered more peaceful, also the 2002 elections were marred by incidences of violence.
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Every morning last week I stumbled through the public foyer in the United Nations Headquarters on my way to work (which was speaking to spokespeople – a tall order). It wasn’t until Friday that I stopped to take a look at the exhibition that I had largely rushed by, running a slalom course through visiting tourists all week. 
I was delighted, yesterday to stumble across 
The second day of the
I am writing from Bonn in Germany - the venue for 
For a few years now, I have been developing a theory of media reform in post-conflict environments. It is a reading of the facts, nothing grand. I want to trot it out and see how you react to it. My sense is that when a developing country succumbs to conflict and finds the will to come out of it, or the combatants are simply too exhausted to continue the quarrel, donors rush in to help put Humpty Dumpty back together again. One of the things donors sometimes do is re-build the media system.
In Liberia we have been working with the Ministry of Information and about 50 public relations officers from the various ministries and organizations within the government, including the Ministry of Information, the President's Office, the individual line ministries and a donor-funded economic development program.
In a few weeks the 
The importance of governance and state-building for stability in post-conflict situations has been recognized widely among the multi and bilateral aid policy-set. This belief is now being shared by the US military strategists according to 
We welcome our newest guest blogger, Taeku Lee, Associate Professor of Political Science and Visiting Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkeley. 
Tom Jacobson, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the School of Communications and Theater, Temple University. 
Caroline Jaine, 
