Columbia International Affairs Online: Working Papers

CIAO DATE: 12/2010

Can You Help Me Now? Mobile Phones and Peacebuilding in Afghanistan

Sheldon Himelfarb

November 2010

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

The United States Institute of Peace, in conjunction with Mobile Accord, TechChange, the UN-mandated University for Peace, and the National Defense University, hosted a Smart Tools for Smart Power event on June 24, 2010, entitled "Can You Help Me Now? Mobile Phones and Peacebuilding in Afghanistan." The meeting brought together a cross section of the leading innovators in the use of mobile phones in difficult environments with Afghanistan specialists and government policymakers. Mobile telephony has significant potential to further peacebuilding efforts in Afghanistan. This report summarizes the key points addressed during the meeting and expands on them with additional research and analysis.