From Iran to Kenya to Colombia, the impact of new and social media on movements for political and social change has been the subject of much discussion, and controversy. The Center of Innovation for Science, Technology, and Peacebuilding at the U.S. Institute of Peace and George Washington University's Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication are hosting a public event exploring the role of new media in contested politics around the world.

This event will be webcast live beginning at 9:00am EDT on July 8, 2010 at www.usip.org/webcast.html. Online viewers will be able to engage panelists and each other through live chat and Twitter discussions (hashtag: #usipblogs).