From Crisis to Community: Mapping as a Peacebuilding Tool

There has been a surge of enthusiasm and activity around crisis mapping recently, thanks to rapidly expanding access to mobile devices and social media, as well as to some high profile success stories. Crisis maps were used in Haiti, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Kenya, and elsewhere, providing real-time information for everything from disaster relief to political violence and election monitoring. 

But, as the field matures, how do we turn this information into insight that engages and empowers  local communities in conflict prevention and peacebuilding? How do we move from “map making” to “problem solving” using the crowdsourced data generated by these powerful technology platforms? What's an appropriate role for governments and international organizations -- "hands-on" or "hands-off?"

USIP and Ushahidi, the crisis mapping pioneer, explored these questions with mappers from conflict zone countries and policymakers in Washington, DC.

This event was part of USIP's week-long Universities for Ushahidi training program. 

• Listen to an audio archive of the event

Speakers:

• Patrick Meier
  Director of Crisis Mapping
  Ushahidi
• Sheldon Himelfarb 
  Director
  Center of Innovation: Science, Technology & Peacebuilding
  United States Institute of Peace
• Peter Mandaville
  Policy Planning Staff, Office of the Secretary of State
  U.S. Department of State
• Roohafza Ludin
  Universities for Ushahidi trainee (Afghanistan)
• Osamah Khaleel
  Universities for Ushahidi trainee (Iraq)
• Aggrey Otieno
  Universities for Ushahidi trainee (Kenya)