Africa & Development
Research insight
INVITED EDITOR
Editorial from
Alex Armand
Assistant Professor at Nova SBE
July 16, 2024
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

16. Peace, justice and strong institutions

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
LEARN MORE

Can FM radio mitigate violent conflict?

This study conducted by Alex Armand, Paul Atwell, and Joseph Flavian Gomes, published in the American Economic Review, examines the role of FM radio in mitigating violent conflict and was highlighted in our latest research video.

Abstract

We examine the role of FM radio in mitigating violent conflict. We collect original data on radio broadcasts encouraging defections during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency. This constitutes the first quantitative evaluation of an active counterinsurgency policy that encourages defections through radio messages. Exploiting random topography- driven variation in radio coverage along with panel variation at the grid-cell level we identify the causal effect of messaging on violence. Broadcasting defection messages increases defections and reduces fatalities, violence against civilians, and clashes with security forces. Income shocks have opposing effects on both the conflict and the effectiveness of messaging.

Paper is available here

Alex Armand
Assistant Professor at Nova SBE
LEARN MORE
SHARE

Keep reading

Fleeing migrants. "These people are desperate"

Cátia Batista, scientific director of the Nova SBE NOVAFRICA Knowledge Center, calls for policies to welcome and integrate migrants.

Covid-19 in Africa: a success or a tragedy foretold?

The very fast implementation of political measures to combat covid-19 might partially explain the “African success” in this pandemic. However, all its direct and indirect consequences, as well as the long-term sustainability of these measures, are not very clear yet.

Educating the Future of Madagascar

In this episode, we look into tensions and complexity for founders with a Western mindset encountered while setting up their impact enterprise in a BOP market (Madagascar) in the education sector. An analysis rooted in a frank and open conversation discussing the target group, affordability, scalability, and ethical concerns with the co-founder of the enterprise Future Madagaskar.

Agricultural intervention: the impact on livelihoods and social capital of subsistence farmers in Guinea-Bissau

Evaluate the impact of an agricultural intervention program for farmers implemented by the ONG VIDA is the goal of this project in Guinea Bissau.

THE CHOICES OF

Nova SBE awarded at the 1st edition of the EFFAS Gasperini Awards

Professors Miguel Ferreira and José Tavares and Nova SBE PhD student Sharmin Sazedj were awarded the first edition of the EFFAS Gasperini Awards, where they represented Nova SBE

Subscribe our weekly newsletter

By subscribing to the Nova SBE Role to Play newsletter, you can stay up-to-date on the latest articles posted on the website.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

We all have a role to play

We are on a mission to be a community dedicated to the development of talent and knowledge that impacts the world.

With just ten years to go, an ambitious global effort is underway to deliver the 2030 promise. We want to take a stand and we are calling on our community to showcase how they are contributing to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, whilst influencing more and more people to unravel their role to play.

Here, you will find four different ways your ideas can flourish, dialogue can be enhanced, and action can take place. You can choose one or all four, and Nova SBE will be there to support you all the way and guarantee tangible change.

We all have a role to play, and this is your way in.