Application of Deliberative Technology in ECOWARN: Challenges and Prospects

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This paper examines institutional applications of deliberative technology within the ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN). ECOWARN has traditionally relied on incident reporting and expert analysis to monitor human security risks. In 2025, we used the Pol.is deliberative platform during an ECOWAS retreat and health security workshop. The paper documents the technology’s introduction, institutional hesitations, and insights generated, and argues that deliberative technology can enhance early warning systems by integrating perception data into monitoring frameworks. It concludes that deliberative technology shows promise for early warning systems, especially through national coordination and community engagement, while highlighting both opportunities and constraints within regional security architectures.