This very interesting and timely paper discusses how information and communications technology (ICT) can be used to identify conflicts through early warning systems, prevent conflicts, promote peaceful resolutions, and assist post-conflict peace building and reconstruction.

It is widely believed that ICT can facilitate effective and sustained communication between people, communities, and stakeholders involved in peace building, environmental protection, and humanitarian aid [1]. “Thanks to the revolution in ICTs, there is a real opportunity for ‘multilogue’ to promote mutual understanding and peace,” said Abdul Waheed Khan, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information [2].

Having analyzed various case studies, Hourcade presents factors that can lead to conflict. He also identifies areas of research and development in the field of human-computer interaction (HCI) that can contribute to conflict prevention or resolution. The writing style is very good. There is an in-depth investigation of the way ICT development projects can promote peace, as an ultimate goal.

Hourcade gives clear examples of initiatives, such as the ICT for Peace Foundation that “aims to enhance the performance of the international community in crisis management, through the application of ICT” [3]. He also mentions initiatives such as One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and the International Children’s Digital Library (ICDL). Among areas of research and development in the HCI field, Hourcade mentions games with social activist themes, such as Stop Disasters, a simulation educational game from UN’s International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR), and Food Force, a simulation game developed by the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), although these games are not mentioned by name in this paper. Both of these educational computer games teach children about the problems created by natural hazards and hunger, including the importance of humanitarian aid work for building a safer environment.

This paper is a very good starting point for setting up initiatives that promote the concept of peace building through ICT.