Multi-lifespan Information System Design in the Aftermath of Genocide: An Early-Stage Report from Rwanda

Abstract

In this paper we report on our research and design efforts to provide Rwandans with access to and reuse of video interviews from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. More generally, we investigate methods and designs that can be deployed successfully within a post-conflict political climate concerned about recurring violence. We describe our general approach and report three case studies with diverse sectors of Rwandan society: governmental information centres, youth clubs, and a grassroots organization working with victims of sexual violence. We use five indicators to assess the success and limitations of our approach: diverse stakeholders; diverse uses; on-going use; cultural, linguistic and geographic reach; and Rwandan initiative. This work makes three important contributions: first, it directly supports the Rwandan people in their efforts to achieve justice, healing and reconciliation; second, it provides the HCI community with methods and approaches for undertaking information and interaction design in post-conflict situations; third, it describes the first empirical exploration of multi-lifespan information system design.