Community Violence Prevention
The Community Violence Prevention Project aims to strengthen and support the work of groups dedicated to addressing community violence in New York and around the world. By facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences among those working on issues of gun violence, sexual assault, domestic and family violence, and youth violence, the project strives to build a network of service and advocacy organizations that can help each other more effectively confront these problems. The project focuses on promoting preventative activities that go beyond responding to incidences of violence to tackle the causes of community violence.
Project Activities
Youth and Gun Violence: Addressing Supply and Demand Workshop at the United Nations Review Confernece on the Illicit Trade of Small arms and Light Weapons
The Review Conference on the Illicit Trade of Small Arms and Light Weapons, held at the United Nations from June 27 to July 7, offered countries and non-governmental entities an opportunity to review progress made on the Program of Action established at the 2001 Confernece and to identify priorities for the future.
On July 29, the Conflict Resolution Program hosted a workshop that included delegates to the Review Conference from diverse countries around the world, including Kenya, Colombia, South Africa, Bangladesh, Great Britain, and Costa Rica, as well as youth and program staff from groups working to address gun violence in communities of New York City. Participants shared stories of successful projects and practices around topics such as police-community relations, the exit and entry of youth into armed groups, and filling the recreational and employment gap for youth.
Violence Prevention Workshop at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women 50th Session
From February 27 to March 10, individuals convened from around the world to discuss issues that affect women at the 50th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). (Visit the CSW website.)
Nearly 60 people, including representatives to the 50th Session from around the world and representatives of NY-based groups working locally to reduce violence against women, joined us for a workshop on Thursday, March 2 at the United Nations. Successful strategies were exchanged, ranging from a peer-to-peer educational program within the NYC Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence to a community fundraising initiative in Rwanda. After the workshop, representatives from Kenya, Brazil and Mozambique visited programs in Washington Heights and mid-town to exchange experiences and knowledge.
Second Community Violence Prevention Workshop
As follow-up to the first community violence workshop held in July at the United Nations, a second event was held on November 16, bringing together individuals working in anti-violence organizations throughout New York. Workshop attendees included those who had been part of the original U.N. workshop, as well as new participants from a diversity of organizations.
In a large group discussion, participants identified potential causes and responses to three incidences of violence that took place within New York and noted points of intervention where their organization provides services. During the second half of the workshop, participants split into small groups to discuss particular strategies for addressing community violence that included coalition building, conflict resolution with youth, working in culturally diverse communities, and bringing forth the voices of victims.
Local/Global Community Violence Workshop
On July 19, 2005 the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) held a conference at the United Nations on the role of non-governmental organizations in preventing armed violence. The conference drew nearly a thousand delegates from peacebuilding organizations around the world.
(Visit the GPPAC web site.)
As part of the conference, the Conflict Resolution Program organized a workshop to draw attention to the problem of community violence and to offer a forum for groups working on this issue in the New York area and in other countries to discuss and share effective strategies in violence prevention. Community leaders from New York organizations as well as international delegates to the conference attended. The experience of the workshop, and of the preparatory and follow-up interviews, revealed that increased communication and collaboration among anti-violence groups, both locally and internationally, could help these groups expand and improve their work.
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