Berlin Expert Dialogue on “Responding to mis-/disinformation in peace operations”

From 15 to 17 November, ZIF hosted the annual "Berlin Expert Dialogue" and invited 40 international experts to Berlin. The dialogue event was dedicated to the effects of disinformation in the context of peace operations and was organized in collaboration with the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations.

The multidisciplinary group of participants consisted of policy makers and experts from field missions, international organization headquarters, think tanks and other civil society organizations. Particularly interesting views were those of Allan Cheboi, whose organization Code for Africa (the largest network of civilian digital technologies on the African continent) makes a valuable contribution to the fight against disinformation. Or Fatoumata Kaba, the spokesperson for the UN mission in Mali, MINUSMA, who must deal with the impact of disinformation on mandate implementation and the safety of mission personnel on a daily basis.

The topic of disinformation concerns peace operations worldwide. Targeted campaigns exacerbate conflicts by exploiting existing ethnic, social, or political cleavages. It can also pose a direct threat to peace operations, by undermining their credibility, impeding the implementation of mandates, and threatening the safety and security of personnel.

The impact of disinformation on the entire spectrum of crisis management, humanitarian aid and development work became clear at the Berlin Expert Dialogue. Participants emphasized the importance of addressing deeper, structural causes that provide the breeding ground for disinformation. This in turn requires comprehensive coalitions that promote the regulation of social media, resilience in conflict zones and targeted strategic communication.

"The frank exchange with the experts is really valuable," says Annika Hansen, Head of the Analysis Team at ZIF. "We spent three days deliberately and debating intensively in an effort to devise constructive approaches to jointly tackle disinformation in the context of peace operations. I am proud that we at ZIF were able to facilitate and provide the space for dialogue. We will continue to follow this important topic and support our international partners."