( A Project supported  by Alton W Jones Foundation)

The  rapidly  increasing number of web sites hosting useful insights and international dialogues in the realm of peace building  and conflict resolution  has made the internet an essential tool in any productive study of these areas, especially in a region where access to this type of interaction and information is otherwise limited. Thus the Malaviya Centre for Peace Research has been striving to enhance and reinforce the peace constituencies in South Asia through internet and web based dialogue. 

The Malaviya Centre for Peace Research acquired  a server connected with  six terminals and allied networking implements with the help of a generous grant from Alton W Jones Foundation, USA in the year 2000.   Access to these tools and the launching of Centre's website have made it possible for  the researchers, and other  participants of Centre  to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable peace imperatives in the region. 

The location of Malaviya Center for Peace Research in the core of the Hindi-speaking region has accorded it with immense potential for providing a forum to an extremely large domain of college and university teachers from Uttar Pradesh (India's most populated State) and other adjoining regions that have no other institutional platform accessible to share peace and conflict resolution concerns and as a base to network with people having similar concerns elsewhere.

The MCPR has developed a virtual library having access to many online journals on a variety of themes relating to peace and development.

By participating in various internet based regional &  global dialogues , the emerging peace constituency has been able to access a wider audience in ways that was not possible previously. We see a viable prospect of initiating a virtual dialogue group to provide a common platform to academics, media, NGO’s and practioners, civil society, private sector and donors to exchange ideas and work together to promote the impulse of peace, conflict resolution and human development in South Asia .

Such interactive website would eventually promote a meaningful policy advocacy initiatives including workshops and training for conflict resolution and capacity building for peace as well as development practioners in the region.

The improved communication through internet access and creation of an interactive website has enhanced  manifold the capacity of Malaviya Centre for Peace Research to link with other initiatives having similar concerns in the region. This has facilitated a  greater sharing of data and mutual experiences among the peace and development community, civil society, researchers and international donors and other stakeholders. All this has made it possible for us to be a dynamic partner of the expanding  knowledge community  concerned with  peace and   development.