use case

Deliberation (Digital Dialogues) using Remesh AI in Libya

This use case demonstrates how software can be used to derive consensus about controversial political topics among citizens in countries where civil tensions are high. These conversations can also be used to inform peacekeeping organizations such as the U.N. navigate the need for interventions, and participation drove public support of the new, interim government.

source of visual

MENA, Libya, Online
- Where did this use case occur?
October 2020 - January 2021
- When did this use case occur?
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) [1], UN DPPA Innovation Cell [2], Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, Diwan (local polling company)
- Who were some of the key collaborators
1,000 citizens, to represent Libya (6.7M pop)
- How many people participated?
Conflict/Peace, Public
- What are some keywords?

What was the problem?

In the wake of the Arab Spring, free and fair elections have not been possible in Libya where there is ongoing activity of Libyan militias.

How does the community approach the problem?

The UN stepped in to support digital dialogues where civilians could give input on major and consequential political topics. The deliberations in Libya were designed to bring people in tension (generally those from the East and West) together for peaceful conversations about the impact of civil war, militia power, and economic issues. This segmentation was done with support from Diwan, a local polling company.

Process

Deliberation / Deliberative Forums

Technique

Using the platform Remesh AI, 1000 Libyan citizens at a time could engage with political topics such as: “the impact of the civil war and the ceasefire, domestic militias and foreign fighters, economic issues – including a fair distribution of oil revenues – as well as concerns around human rights and future elections.” [3]

Tool

Remesh

What were the results?

• Assumptions were able to be tested and validated including: “widespread public support for a unified currency that could end discrepancies between exchange rates used in the East and West, a development elites grumbled about because it ran against their interests.” [4]
• Country-wide broadcast which helped the process gain legitimacy. These events achieved social media audiences of 1.7 million, a third of the Libyan population.
• The successful transition to a new government: the election of the Government of National Unity. [5]
• Consensus was developed as a prelude to the establishment of this new Government of National Unity.

In Our Opinions

How participatory was it?

Involve

This process involved 1,000 Libyan citizens in digital dialogues which contributed to peace-building. It doesn't appear that the implementing actors collaborated with participants to design the process in any meaningful way or that power was shifted directly into the hands of participants to take control over some part of the government process.

What makes this Use Case unique?