Short Takes Selected Institute Events

The Media and Conflict Resolution
The media can cover conflicts in ways that will have a positive influence and thus help to facilitate resolution, says Gordon Adam, former producer for British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) radio. He discussed "The Mass Media's Role in Conflict Resolution" at the Institute December 10 as part of a continuing series of discussions on "Media and Conflict," organized by the Office of Communications. Adam based his talk on a report he researched and wrote for Great Britain's Overseas Development Agency (ODA). Reporters and editors can contribute to peacemaking without compromising their roles if they work harder to report on the positive aspects of a situation, in addition to its negative aspects. Adam said they also can provide social education programming that stresses cultural themes relating to reconciliation and use their stories to open channels of communication between opposing parties. "The most successful conflict resolution initiatives result from a partnership between enlightened media editors and conflict resolution specialists," he said.

Left: Moo-Hong Moon (second from left) and his assistants meet with Scott Snyder (second from right) and Richard Solomon (far right).

Economic Reform Necessary in North Korea
If North Korea begins economic reform, the South Korean government is prepared to offer generous economic and technical assistance to the process, says Moo-Hong Moon, South Korea's assistant minister for unification policy. He met with Institute president Richard H. Solomon, Stanley Roth, director of the Research and Studies Program, and Scott Snyder, program officer, December 17 to discuss the current situation in North Korea and issues in coordinating a joint U.S.-South Korean policy. Moon provided his assessment of North Korea's changing leadership structure and stressed that economic reform is necessary in that country to prevent a collapse of the state. © 1997 United States Institute of Peace

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