Inter-American Program for the Prevention of Violence and Crime

1. Inter-American Program for the Prevention of Violence and Crime October 2014

2. Background • A lack of opportunities turns young people, in particular, into criminals or crime victims. • Renewed interest among the member states in a preventive approach to violence instead of a reactive one. • Need to change the assistance-based approach to one of participation and action for change.

3. Lack of participation Sexual exploitation Precarious health Child labor Dropping out of school VULNERABILITY Drug use Domestic violence Limited access to culture No life plans Low self-esteem Unemployment Limited access toeconomic assets

4. Concept of vulnerability Vulnerability is not a permanent condition; it is dynamic in nature; circumstances can be minimized or reduced.

5. Current Needs Mandates General Secretariat Member States Inter-American Program for the Prevention of Violence and Crime

6. Relevant Mandates • General Assembly • To instruct the General Secretariat to support initiatives by member states in preventing and comprehensively addressing the phenomenon of violence in its diverse forms and specific manifestations. (AG/RES. 2431) • To instruct the General Secretariat to establish and coordinate [...] an Inter-American Network for the Prevention of Violence and Crime to contribute to the efforts and capabilities of the member states, particularly in areas relating to participation by the population within the framework of citizen security and community organization. (AG/RES. 2866) • Declaration of San Salvador • 7. (…) the need to continue implementing policies and measures in the area of prevention, law enforcement, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society, in order to ensure a comprehensive approach in combating crime, violence, and insecurity, for the purpose of enhancing public security. • Declaration of San Pedro Sula: • Paragraph 19. Their commitment to strengthen hemispheric cooperation to fight crime and violence, through the adoption of strategies that emphasize the role of prevention at its various levels and the administration of justice.

7. Objective of the Program To promote public security through a Comprehensive Prevention Strategy, focused on reducing and mitigating the risks related to violence and crime – particularly related to youth.

8. INTER-AMERICAN PROGRAM FOR THE PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME Three simultaneous components COMMUNICATION • MOBILIZATION • - Awareness raising • Institutional mobilization • Formalized agreements • INTERVENTION • - Implementation of projects • Optimization of resources • Promotion of cooperation • PREVENTION • - Universal • Selective • Indicated BASE COMMUNITY External evaluation and validation process

9. Levels of Prevention • Universal Prevention • Awareness campaigns, use of new media. • Governments, schools, parents, companies, general public. • Selective Prevention • Promote changes in social and cultural norms. • Mechanisms for youth participation. • Parents/families, schools/teachers, churches, civil society. • Indicated Prevention • Community interventions; training actions. • Young people, families, governments, community policing.

10. Prevention is a joint responsibility of governments, the private sector, civil society, and the public.

11. Next steps • Organize meeting of experts to set general guidelines • Design and devise program • Organize meeting of experts to validate the program • Prepare and implement outreach campaign

12. Thank you Paulina Duarte Department of Public Security pduarte@oas.org