The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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PAPER The Drum Beat - 24 - Ohio University - Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding - West Africa

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The Drum Beat - 24 - Ohio University - Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding - West Africa
Additional Information and Commentary - Please contact the student identified for a full copy of their paper.


By Abu Bakar Koloh
International Student of Ohio University
July 1999
ak341692@oak.cats.ohiou.edu


4. The Role of Communication in Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding in West Africa

West Africa has witnessed the most sustained and violent conflicts since the end of the last decade. In Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Niger and Mali war has claimed the lives of millions and has uprooted many more from their homes. Furthermore, the sub-region ranks as one having the highest population of child combatants in the world.

Even though efforts like regional peacekeeping and military action have provided immediate responses, those are only useful as short-term measures. Communication, it is believed, provides an answer to the quest for long term solutions to war and conflict situations not only in West Africa but in other parts of the world as well. Since communication strategies like Entertainment-Education have worked perfectly in other sectors, especially health, there is a firm conviction that its application to conflict will be very useful.