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v i r t u a l d i a s p o r a s | |
and global problem solving project |
As we begin to
understand the emerging post-September 11th world order, it
becomes clearer that global networks of ethnic communities, linked
together by information technologies, will play an increasingly important
role in international conflict and cooperation. In the last twenty years,
globalization and the information revolution have combined to produce
transnational connections that differ in fundamental ways from those
maintained by immigrants a century ago. Today, information communication
technologies bind global diaspora communities with their homeland,
facilitate new and efficient economic networks in both the host and home
countries, and increase identity and belonging to a greater transnational
community. This has led some observers to suggest that virtual diaspora networks, by virtue of their global orientations, socialization and experience, represent an emerging, and largely untapped resource for global problem solving. Yet in the wake of the September attacks on America, others contend that virtual diaspora networks are an emerging source of global conflict as they facilitate transnational terrorist and criminal activity, finance wars in “home states,” and most importantly, cultivate a particularistic and fragmenting nationalism throughout the online diaspora community. Indeed, some argue, terrorist networks have operated on a global scale, facilitating transactions, and sharing information utilizing the same technological tools, information networks, and working within the same communities as have global diaspora networks. How are we to balance a
growing need for national security and increased intelligence gathering
with the need to respect the privacy, civil liberties, and freedom of
non-state transnational networks? How will this first ever “war against
networks” impact transnational diaspora communities? How can states work with these
global diaspora networks to further their aims?
The Nautilus Institute is began the process of understanding these challenges with the Virtual Diasporas and Global Problem Solving Project. The project, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, examined the growing impact of global diasporas, and their use of information technologies, on international conflict and cooperation. Specifically, this effort explored a number of issues ranging from global diaspora communities as an increasing source of conflict to the positive contributions that emerging cosmopolitan diaspora organizations are making to global problem-solving. The project is divided into three stages: Exploration
First, beginning in the fall of 2001, the project commissioned a
series of expert papers on the emerging relationship between virtual
diaspora communities, the information revolution, and international
conflict and cooperation. Click here to
view authors Workshop
On April 25-26 2002, in partnership with the World Affairs Council, the project convened an international assembly of key academic, government, diaspora organization, and NGO representatives to initiate a focused dialogue integrating the results of this research. The workshop had four distinct objectives: 1) explore the growing impact of global diasporas and their use of information technologies on international conflict and cooperation; 2) develop a network of key academic, government, Bay Area Diaspora organization, and NGO representatives to begin examining this challenging issue; 3) educate global problem solving groups on the importance of this issue to their work; and 4) isolate and develop 3-5 “applications” whereby we can closer study this phenomenon. The
Road Ahead Lastly, in the summer of 2002, the project published a final report summarizing the insights of the dialogue and commissioned papers, and provide recommendations and strategies for governments, NGOs, and private organizations. For more information about the Nautilus Institute and its programs, please visit our web site: http://www.nautilus.org/. For more information about the Information in the Policy Process Project, please contact Jason Hunter.
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