Presentation for the Social Media for Social Change Conference by Onnik Krikorian and Arzu Geybullayeva, 9-10 April 2010

1. Onnik Krikorian Caucasus Regional Editor, Global Voices Online http://www.globalvoicesonline.org [email_address] [email_address] Arzu Geybullayeva Regional Analyst http://www.flyingcarpetsandbrokenpipelines.com [email_address]

3. Azerbaijan Foreign radio stations taken off the air in January 2009 Arrest and imprisonment of two video blogging youth activists

4. Georgia August 2008 war with Russia Internet fastest and cheapest in region

6. Approx 25,000 dead

7. Approx 1 million refugees and IDPs

8. 14-16 percent of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenian forces (Baku says 20 percent)

9. Border skirmishes and clashes

10. Territorial integrity vs. Right to self-determination

11. Peace deal still elusive

12. Threat of new war

14. Civil society on both sides largely ineffective and/or closed

15. Notion that Armenians and Azerbaijanis are 'ethnically incompatible' put into widespread circulation

16. Media on both sides perpetuates negative stereotypes of the 'enemy'

17. Communication with the 'enemy' discouraged on both sides

18. Opposition as well as government in Armenia and government in Azerbaijan exploit Nagorno Karabakh conflict for short-term domestic political gain

19. Stereotyping the 'enemy' [A] negative context [is set] in the public consciousness, which hinders dialogue and mutual understanding […] Without more accurate and unbiased information […] free of negative rhetoric and stereotypes, Armenians and Azerbaijanis will continue to see themselves as enemies without any common ground. Report on media in Armenia and Azerbaijan , Caucasus Resource Research Center

20. Another View Nowhere in the world can you find two groups of people closer to each other. That is why we often have these stupid disputes between Armenians and Azeris. "This house is Armenian" or "this house is Azeri." Or "this music is Armenian or Azeri." This is exactly because the two have so much in common. [...] I normally say, and people don't like this, that Armenians are just Christian Azeris and Azeris are just Muslim Armenians . That is how much they are alike. Azerbaijani journalist , Re-arming the Caucasus, Al Jazeera English

21. Digital media and conflict Throughout history, war has affected media, with conflict often creating an information void. In the 21st century, media has begun to affect war more than ever before. Digital media technologies [...] have increased communication and information dissemination in conflict settings [...]. These new tools can be used to foment violence or to foster peace , and it is possible to build communication systems that encourage dialogue and nonviolent political solutions. Ivan Sigal, Global Voices Online Executive Director, Digital media in conflict-prone societies, Center for International Media Assistance (CIMA)

23. Blogs such as Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines

24. Global Voices Online

25. Skype for secure communication

26. Skype for interviews

27. Video blogging

29. Coverage and translation on Global Voices Online

30. Discovery of existing, but unknown, Armenian-Azeri online/offline relationships and networks. Natural growth in communication

31. Possible use of online tools for fact-checking by journalists in Armenia and Azerbaijan

32. Twitter Contact

34. Participants for civil society conflict resolution, simulation, transformation programs

35. Cooperation in Georgia and other third countries, such as our project on Armenian and Azerbaijani co-existence in Georgia

36. Increased communication, cooperation and networking

37. http://www.oneworld.am/diversity/

41. http://peace.facebook.com

42. Words of caution New media tools will certainly help in getting people better acquainted with each other, but at the same time can also be used to reaffirm existing biases. Just search on the Internet for Armenian and Azerbaijani web sites and you can find a lot of trash and very harmful discourse from nationalist websites. I’m mildly optimistic, but at the same time think we should be very cautious about what we find on the Internet as well. Bart Woord , International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) Secretary General

43. Holistic approach I think you can’t do it just with social media tools, but as we’ve seen over the past 15 years, you definitely can’t do it by meeting in Tbilisi for a weekend every summer. It becomes an “entertainment” and I’ve had experience with those conferences in Georgia where it’s just one big coffee break and a waste of money. However, I think that both approaches combined could propel things along . Micael Bogar , Projects Manager at the American University's Center for Social Media

44. What next? I would very much like to see more debate among bloggers in Armenia and Azerbaijan . We really need some kind of initiative for this because I would really like to see borders opened and conflict resolved. My mother says that when she went to school she had Armenians among her friends. I would very much like myself or my children when they grow up to be able to say the same kind of thing to their children. Arzu Geybullayeva, Regional Analyst European Stability Initiative (ESI), Flying Carpets and Broken Pipelines

46. RFE in particular started to increase its online presence, inc. citizen media

47. Growth in number of blogs, especially English-language

48. May Flower Day protests and commentary on blogs, videos on YouTube

49. Twitter updates on detainees

51. Use of YouTube and social networks

52. Detention after satirical video

53. International outrage. Amnesty International declares Adnan Hajizade and Emin Milli Prisoners of Conscience

55. Increased and unprecedented use of new and social media tools such as blogs, Twitter with the hashtag #EminAdnan , online video to cover the case and keep it in the media spotlight

56. Social media for organizing flash mobs

57. New connections with people worldwide

59. Facebook and social media is a valuable tool for campaigning on different issues

60. Social networking sites are essential tools in building up trust, relationships and connections with people sharing mutual interests and concerns

61. The example of social media in the Adnan and Emin campaign as well as in communication across borders now slowly being adopted by civil society, especially as it allows for continued contact after actual physical meeting

63. http://threatened.globalvoicesonline.org/