Decoding PeaceTech, as a community!

Tech drives peace. Join us at the Open Peace Tech Hub @ the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). We blend innovation, journalism, and peace insights to promote usability and capacity building for peacebuiders. Empower grassroots change-makers with effective PeaceTech. Get involved today!

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About Us

Technology holds incredible potential for peacebuilding, spanning from conflict prevention and addressing AI biases to understanding migration and enhancing the capacity of on-ground organisations. However, it also comes with its pitfalls, emphasizing the need for collective vigilance.

PeaceTech, a relatively new agenda, demands a focus on usability from its inception. After all, if PeaceTech isn't accessible to its intended users, its purpose is lost.

This initiative aims to craft narratives on PeaceTech in collaboration with creators and users, complementing our projects at the AIT. Through this platform, you'll discover practical insights via blogs, podcasts, and toolkits. Additionally, we're developing digital projects to support peacebuilders, enabling them to continue their impactful work in global communities that need them the most.

The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, a European leader in research, is dedicated to addressing crucial infrastructure challenges. As a bridge between industry and public institutions, AIT is pioneering innovative technologies, methods, and tools. With a focus on future-oriented solutions, AIT is shaping the tomorrow of industries in Austria and beyond. While rooted in Austria, AIT's global perspective is evident in its contributions to peace technology through the Open PeaceTech Hub. This international focus aligns perfectly with AIT's motto "Tomorrow Today," as the institute strives to create a better future by addressing the challenges of the present. We look to:

  • Help to make PeaceTech accessible to those who will use it
  • Act as a medium to champion people who are working in PeaceTech and Digital Peacebuilding
  • Build communities around PeaceTech, bringing together experts with actors on the ground
Our mission

Providing a platform for the peacebuilding community to shape the narrative of PeaceTech, collaborating with experts, industry professionals actively engaged in the field, and peacebuilders.

To truly make PeaceTech accessible, we must incorporate diverse voices – from tech experts to field workers who might not be tech-savvy. This inclusivity is key for creating cohesive, universally applicable, and user-friendly PeaceTech. That's why, at the Austrian Institute of Technology, we established the Open Peace Tech Hub. It aims to facilitate discussions, collaborations, and the sharing of best practices among field workers. Here's our approach to achieving this goal:

  • 01 Community building

    We believe true accessibility of PeaceTech requires a community-centered approach. While decision-makers, peace foundations, and academics engage in discussions and project developments, it's vital to involve those who would actually use this technology. Incorporating the input of on-ground actors in identifying needs and practical usage is essential.

    A community-oriented strategy is equally crucial to uncover the drawbacks of PeaceTech and, importantly, to learn from these mistakes. Our goal is to unite individuals and establish an online community focusing on PeaceTech. Just as the Civic Tech movement attracted volunteers to address urban needs using digital skills, we foresee a similar movement within digital peacebuilding.

  • Creativity is a powerful force, and employing innovative outreach strategies to promote useablity within PeaceTech is a formidable tool. On our platform, you'll discover an array of blogs, project profiles and our podcast. This is a dedicated space to celebrate individuals utilizing technology for peacebuilding, offering us all an opportunity to learn from their experiences, processes, and even the aspects that didn't go as planned.

  • Beyond our current PeaceTech initiatives, we are committed to cultivating fresh opportunities in this space. In addition to serving as an innovation lab, expect updates on hackathons, diverse events, and toolkits within this space.

 

Austrian roots, global focus

AIT is dedicated to promoting peace technology and fostering collaboration. Through initiatives like the Open PeaceTech Hub, AIT provides a platform for experts to discuss emerging trends, share knowledge, and develop collaborative projects. This commitment aligns with AIT's broader mission to create a sustainable and equitable future. The Republic of Austria and the Federation of Austrian Industries jointly own the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology, with a 50.46% and 49.54% stake respectively.

While based in Vienna, we have a global outlook. We aim to empower peacebuilders worldwide by providing them with tools and knowledge to utilise technology on a global scale, fostering sustainable peace efforts across continents. Our focus remains on harnessing technology's potential to create positive impacts in conflict resolution, transcending geographical boundaries.

Projects

Here is a taste of what we are cooking up here at the Open PeaceTech Hub with the help of our partners and supporters.

Workshops, hackathons and events:

Bringing together the peacebuilding and social tech communities to shape the PeaceTech agenda from the ground up, focusing on the perspective of those who will actually use it. From specific tech areas such as tech diplomacy, data for peacebuilding, cybersecurity, AI, digital inclusion, and more, there is also the opportunity to influence policy and strategic direction through these engagements.

Human-centric projects:

Collectively designing projects that encompass social tech and accessibility, putting users at the heart of the agenda. To truly achieve this, we need a community of ownership and co-design, listening to peacebuilders and using their knowledge to build projects and campaigns that are fit for purpose and create meaningful impact. If PeaceTech isn’t accessible, then what’s the point?

Digital, for everyone - multimedia:

Never top-down, always bottom-up! The tech industry is often guilty of creating highly corporate narratives that exclude the third sector, and the same applies to peacebuilding. These individuals aren’t tech-savvy, nor do they need to be. Their focus is on creating cohesion, bringing people together, and connecting communities. Digital tools are simply a way to enhance their capacity. We must craft narratives they can engage with, which is the mission of the Open PeaceTech Hub. Here, you’ll find blogs, policy discussions, and more.

Building communities:

Collaborating with partners such as the Open Knowledge Foundation on the civic tech side, and a range of peacebuilding organisations in Vienna and beyond, we are fostering various community spaces that bring people together informally. Take Code for Peace, for instance, our monthly meet-up that unites individuals from the tech and peace communities at all skill levels to discuss needs and develop open-source, free-to-use digital projects.

Supported by the civic tech community

Skills

PeaceTech must embrace the principles of civic tech to maximise its potential for societal change. Civic tech, driven by transparency, accountability, and community participation, aligns perfectly with the goals of peacebuilding. To achieve this, we need the support of champions of open technology, such as the Open Knowledge Foundation, a key supporter of the Open PeaceTech Hub. By collaborating with civic tech advocates, we can ensure that PeaceTech is not only accessible but also inclusive, leveraging open-source tools and community-driven solutions to address real-world conflicts and promote lasting peace. Read about our work on how the Open PeaceTech Hub and the Open Knowledge Foundation are looking to put peacebuilders needs in regards to outreach strategy.

Project: Unlocking the Power of Data for Peace: Highlights from the Policy Driver Document for Data Accessibility and User-Friendliness in Peacebuilding

Frequently Asked Questions

What is PeaceTech?

  • What is PeaceTech?

    Peace Tech refers to the innovative use of technology and digital tools to prevent conflicts, resolve disputes, and promote peace and stability in communities and regions affected by conflicts or unrest. It involves applying various technological solutions, such as data analysis, social media platforms, mobile applications, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality, to address the root causes of conflicts, facilitate communication, foster understanding among diverse groups, and empower individuals and organisations working towards peacebuilding efforts. Peace Tech aims to harness the potential of technology to create positive social change and support peacebuilding initiatives worldwide.

  • Peace Tech involves the strategic application of technological innovations, such as data analytics, mobile apps, virtual reality, and social media platforms, specifically to foster peace, prevent conflicts, and facilitate dispute resolution. On the other hand, digital peacebuilding is a more expansive concept encompassing the utilisation of digital tools and technologies like online platforms, cybersecurity measures, and digital communication, not only for peacebuilding but also to enhance various aspects of peace initiatives. While Peace Tech concentrates on leveraging technology for peace-related goals, digital peacebuilding extends its scope by incorporating diverse digital elements to bolster peacebuilding efforts.

  • Not necessarily! Peace Tech requires a diverse range of skills beyond technical expertise. While technology skills can be valuable, there are numerous roles for individuals with backgrounds in peace studies, conflict resolution, policy-making, design, communications, and more. Collaboration among multidisciplinary teams is crucial for successful Peace Tech initiatives. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or a peace advocate, there's a place for everyone in Peace Tech efforts.

  • Peace Tech leverages technology to address social issues, bridge divides, promote dialogue, and empower marginalised communities. It aids in conflict prevention, facilitates access to vital information, strengthens transparency, and fosters collaboration among diverse groups, ultimately contributing to peaceful resolutions and sustainable development.

  • Peace Tech thrives on inclusivity and accessibility. Ensuring user-friendly and easily understandable technology is pivotal as it allows peacebuilders, regardless of their digital skills, to utilise these tools effectively. Not all individuals engaged in peacebuilding are tech-savvy, yet they possess invaluable expertise in conflict resolution. By making Peace Tech accessible, we empower these experts to harness digital solutions, bridging the gap between traditional peacebuilding practices and the advancements offered by technology. This accessibility fosters a collaborative environment where peacebuilders can focus on their core expertise in fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and community engagement while leveraging technology to enhance their impact.

  • The Peace Tech agenda at the Austrian Institute Of Technology (AIT) thrives on insights directly from Peace Tech experts themselves. Through interactive workshops, forums, and direct engagement with practitioners working in Peace Tech, we prioritize learning from their real-world experiences. While AIT and our peacebuilding partners provides support and guidance, the primary impetus is driven by the firsthand expertise of Peace Tech practitioners. Their knowledge and perspectives take precedence, contributing significantly to the collective development of our Peace Tech initiatives.