Technology and the Resurgence of the Australian Peace Movement

Trewhella D¹*, Conley Tyler M¹*

1. The International Conflict Resolution Centre, University of Melbourne, Australia

On Valentine’s Day weekend 2003, up to 500,000 people around Australia voted with their feet against the imminent invasion of Iraq. Around the world, as many as 10 million people joined public demonstrations on this weekend.

This paper considers the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) to the contemporary peace movement. How was it used throughout Australia to build a movement and mobilise people? What role has it had in supporting and nurturing the movement since the war began? What further opportunities may it offer?

This paper is based on qualitative research undertaken into the way the main peace groups in Victoria, NSW and South Australia employed technology to build their respective peace movements. It also includes perspectives from two long time peace advocates and activists, as well as helpful insights of another researcher who has been more broadly researching the role of ICTs and social movements.

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