June was a busy month for Peace in Our Cities at the World Bank Fragility Forum in Washington, DC. Our Secretariat joined conversations on violence prevention, including a workshop on Identity-Based Mass Violence in Urban Contexts: Uncovered. #IBMV

Reflecting on the UCLG World Congress in Tangier! 🌍✨ Our "Violence Prevention in Practice" panel highlighted how local leaders drive innovation in urban peacebuilding. Leaving inspired and affirmed that global peace starts at the local level. 🏙️🕊️ #UCLGCongress #Listen2Cities

🌍 Daniel Friedman represented Peace in Our Cities at @uclg.bsky.social's World Summit in Tangier 🇲🇦, calling for cities to play a stronger role in the post-2030 agenda and violence prevention. 🎥 Watch his full remarks: buff.ly/WY0EgJo #UCLGCongress #Tangier2026 #Listen2Cities

What a night! 🎉 With @open-society.bsky.social and Mercociudades, PiOC co-organized a rich fireside conversation w/two mayors on the real-world challenges + breakthroughs shaping their cities’ approach to violence prevention on the sidelines of the @uclg.bsky.social #WorldCongress in Tangier, 🇲🇦.

Join us at the UCLG Congress in Tangier for Violence Prevention in Practice: Showcasing Global Innovation at the Subnational Level. City leaders and partners will share practical approaches to preventing and reducing violence, with room for cross-regional learning and exchange. #UCLGCongress #PiOC

🚨 Happening tomorrow! Join us for the webinar, “Communications for Sustainable Local Safety Practice,” to explore how communication can achieve safety. 🔍 This webinar will explore communication as a conversation that is led by the needs of community members. RSVP now ⤵️ buff.ly/ejKgiM7

🤔 How can the role of communication achieve safety? 💡 On June 2, the webinar co-hosted by Peace in Our Cities & Fixed Africa, “Communications for Sustainable Local Safety Practice,” will focus on the localised communications needs of safety practitioners. RSVP now ⤵️ buff.ly/ejKgiM7

How can communication be used effectively to provide accurate information & enable coherent collection action? Join us for a webinar to explore communication as an underutilized tool at the core of municipal strategies & as a conversation led by the community's needs. ⤵️ buff.ly/ejKgiM7

Please welcome the City of Manta in Ecuador to the @peaceinourcities.org network! Manta has a common goal of: 🟡 Raising awareness about urban violence 📊Advancing evidence-based solutions ⚒️Supporting local leaders & civil society in building peace Learn more: manta.gob.ec

❓ How can structured dialogue and inclusive participation bridge divides, strengthen accountability, and improve coordination across sectors? RSVP now ⤵️ buff.ly/saAoNoy

📣 Please welcome the city of Montego Bay in Jamaica to the @peaceinourcities.org network! 🇯🇲 Over the past decade, Montego Bay has worked tirelessly with their communities, security partners, and the government of Jamaica to reduce violence and strengthen public safety. More ➡️ buff.ly/Bxd8gGT

👥 This week, we are also present at the Meeting of Municipal Secretaries of the UNICEF Brazil Cities’ Agenda! 🌆 UNICEF Brasil + #PiOC are mutually committed currently to the prevention of violence against children + youth in Brazilian cities. #ViolencePrevention #Cities

DAY 1️⃣ | PiOC #CityExchanges w/Niterói & Rosario 🌄 The PiOC Secretariat + Rosario representatives were welcomed by the gov't of Niterói w/a 101 primer on the Niteroi Pact Against Violence program. 🖼️ The group also visited the inspiring MAC Niterói!

🆕 PiOC #CityExchange | Niterói & Rosario 📅 May 12-14 📍 Niterói, Brazil City leaders from Rosario 🇦🇷 travel to Niterói 🇧🇷 for a technical exchange on violence reduction. Real results being shared through site visits, peer dialogue, and civil society partnerships. Follow for real-time updates!

👏 Please welcome LAB-CO to the @peaceinourcities.org network! 🌎 LAB-CO is a nonprofit laboratory for policy innovation in crime prevention, citizen security and justice in Latin America. Learn more: buff.ly/0gGzk4w #PeaceInOurCities #PIOC

🤔 How can multistakeholder convenings serve as practical tools for rebuilding trust and advancing collective violence prevention efforts?

A new communications guide by @peaceinourcities.org supports a balanced approach to public safety in Latin America that integrates law enforcement, justice systems, and social prevention to deliver both immediate relief and durable security. Read the guide: peaceinourcities.org/resources/ta...

Cities should be safe for all their residents. Local governments & those supporting their work have the tools to increase peace and reduce violence. Stanley Center’s Kelsey Paul Shantz presented the Letter of the Local Social Covenant on Violence and Conflict Prevention at the UCLG Annual Retreat. ⤵️

🆕 EVENTO | ¿Cómo gestionan la seguridad los gobiernos locales? 🗓️ 5 de mayo ⏰ 10:00 a. m. (Argentina, Uruguay, Brasil) | 9:00 a. m. (Chile) | 8:00 a. m. (Colombia, Perú, Ecuador) Inscríbete ▶️ buff.ly/SxkcpeX Coorganizado por Canelones (🇺🇾), Peñalolén (🇨🇱) y Godoy Cruz (🇦🇷).

👏 Please welcome Amassuru to the @peaceinourcities.org network! 🌍 Amassuru, the Latin American Network of Women in Security and Defense, is a network of women working on security and defense issues in Latin America and the Caribbean. ➕ Learn more: buff.ly/3OZy0bR

👏 Please welcome Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) to the @peaceinourcities.org network! 💪 PADF has worked throughout Latin America and the Caribbean to promote development, strengthen democratic institutions, and improve living conditions in cities affected by insecurity. ➕ www.padf.org

👏 Please welcome @soudapaz.bsky.social to the @peaceinourcities.org network! 📊 Sou da Paz’s mission is to contribute to public policies for violence prevention that are efficient and guided by the values of democracy, social justice, and human rights. Learn more: buff.ly/d3Bu9EK

👏 Please welcome Bayi, Inc. in Quezon City, Philippines, to the @peaceinourcities.org network! 💡 They aim to collectively advance feminist peacebuilding in urban spaces, center marginalized voices, and promote inclusive, accountable, and transformative peace. Learn more: buff.ly/xiPTUMz

🔔 ¡Mañana mismo! El seminario web «Enfoques centrados en los jóvenes para la prevención de la violencia» analizará cómo las ciudades han apostado por enfoques innovadores para identificar los riesgos que afectan a los jóvenes y ofrecerles vías alternativas y apoyo. ⤵️ buff.ly/9nm8UX4

🔔 Happening in three days! The webinar, “Youth-Centered Approaches to Violence Prevention,” will explore how cities have invested in innovative approaches to identify risks affecting young people and provide alternative pathways and support. RSVP now! ⤵️ buff.ly/9nm8UX4

🤔 ¿Cómo podemos hacer frente al aumento del reclutamiento de jóvenes por parte del crimen organizado? 💡 El 8 de abril, el evento «Enfoques centrados en los jóvenes para la prevención de la violencia» analizará cómo las ciudades han apostado por enfoques innovadores centrados en los jóvenes...

🤔 How can we address the increasing recruitment of youth into organized crime? 💡 On April 8, “Youth-Centered Approaches to Violence Prevention” will explore how two cities invested in innovative youth-centered approaches to identify risks affecting young people and provide alternative pathways.

🚨 Los jóvenes de entre 15 y 29 años representan más del 40 % de todas las víctimas de homicidio a nivel mundial, y hay millones más afectados por otros delitos violentos. Entonces, ¿cómo podemos abordar este desafío?

🚨 Youth aged 15 to 29 account for more than 40% of all homicide victims globally, with millions more affected by nonfatal violent crimes. So, how can we address this challenge? 🌟 Join us on April 8 for a webinar to explore how Cali and Guadalajara are supporting alternative pathways for youth.

Cities are increasingly recognizing that effective violence prevention requires engaging w/ masculinities across this continuum. Join us + @efusnews.bsky.social for a webinar to explore gender-responsive and gender-transformative approaches to this violence. RSVP now! ⤵️ buff.ly/c2CYAcA

"We need to understand the way in which crime can be used by political actors against democracy to create an unstable state."—Mr. Bernardo Arévalo, President of Guatemala.

How can local governments recommit to preventing violence and building safer communities? Peace in Our Cities joins @uclg.bsky.social in supporting city leaders to commit to violence prevention strategies that are balanced, evidence-based, legitimate, inter-related, and focused.

🔔 This week, the webinar, “Evidence for Peace: Gathering Local Data to Prevent Urban Violence,” showcased two initiatives as practical examples of how cities can generate actionable evidence to inform violence prevention. Learn more ⤵️ buff.ly/rJm2RYE

🆕 Our new Peace Incentive Fund 2024-25 Report demonstrates how even small investments in violence reduction and prevention can yield significant results and transform the lives of those most vulnerable to violence and insecurity.

🤔 How can cities address the gender norms that shape urban violence? 💡 Join us for a webinar to explore the challenges and approaches in navigating gender norms in street-based outreach, group violence intervention, and public-space safety strategies. RSVP now! ⤵️ buff.ly/c2CYAcA

#DYK: Harmful constructions of masculinity linked to power, status, territorial control, risk-taking, & the use of force often cut across private & public forms of violence. Join us + @efusnews.bsky.social for a webinar to learn how we can address this challenge. RSVP ⤵️ buff.ly/c2CYAcA

❓ How can masculinities & gender norms shape violence in private & public spaces? 💡 Join us + @efusnews.bsky.social for the webinar, “Masculinities, Gender, & Urban Violence Prevention,” to explore this topic in spaces including IPV, GBV, & community violence. RSVP ⤵️ buff.ly/c2CYAcA

🤔 How can multi-sector & multilevel partnerships build more resilient cities? 🌟 On January 26, @sdg16.plus, @internationalidea.bsky.social, + @peaceinourcities.org will host a virtual event to highlight partnerships that fostered trust, built shared purpose, & delivered results.

💡 A finales de julio de 2025, organizaciones de la sociedad civil y el gobierno municipal de Rosario se reunieron en un intercambio de conocimiento para avanzar en la prevención de la violencia mediante la mediación comunitaria y la colaboración entre múltiples partes interesadas.

💡 In late July 2025, civil society organizations + the city gov't of Rosario, came together in a tailored peer exchange that revealed key insights into advancing violence prevention through community mediation + multistakeholder collaboration. 📥 Full report: buff.ly/b9hJjTt

🌍 In 2025, #PiOC brought together gov'ts, civil society, & researchers to share strategies on reducing violence & strengthening peace. 🌟 In 2026, we look forward to building on the momentum for another impactful year working in partnership with all of you. 2025 recap ⤵️ buff.ly/w9ce3UW

🗞️ A recent Oil City News article shares how the city of Casper is working to implement changes into its public safety programs and policies following a city exchange with the city of Edmonton, Canada, organized by PiOC.

🌟Please welcome our newest member, Vox Populi Ecuador Foundation, to the #PeaceinOurCities network! 💡 Their work focuses on developing projects that address the needs of marginalized populations in Quito, Ecuador 🇪🇨, & prioritizing the promotion of human rights. ➕ buff.ly/5S4jZc0

🌟Please welcome our newest member, AfroReggae, to the #PeaceinOurCities network! 📲 AfroReggae’s mission is to transform lives through inclusion, culture, and innovation, using digital culture as a tool to create opportunities and combat prejudice. Learn more: buff.ly/EEFKbUz

📰 Our latest newsletter is out now! Highlights include: 🔦 New members spotlight. 📑 Rosario City Exchange Report. 🖥️ #PiOC Mano Dura Webinar. Check it out ⤵️ buff.ly/5S4jZc0 Subscribe to receive regular updates ⤵️ buff.ly/B6qNyKy #PeaceinOurCities #SaferCities

📣 Happening now! Join us for a conversation with Enrique Betancourt, author of “Tackling the False Dilemma: A Communications Guide for Advancing Balanced and Effective Public Safety Approaches,” and @carolinaricardo.bsky.social, Executive Director of @soudapaz.bsky.social.

On #HumanRightsDay, how can we reflect on our own agency to build safer, more peaceful, and more just cities—grounded in the inherent rights of all people? PiOC Secretariat member Jai-Ayla Sutherland highlights insights on how city-led action can confront inequality + identity-based violence. 🏙️

📣 Happening tomorrow! Join us for the virtual launch of PiOC’s comms guide “Tackling the False Dilemma of Mano Dura: Communications Guidance for Balanced and Effective Public Safety Approaches.”

📣 ¡Esta semana! Únase a nosotros en el lanzamiento virtual de la guía de comunicación de PiOC «Abordar el falso dilema de la mano dura: orientación sobre comunicación para enfoques equilibrados y eficaces en materia de seguridad pública».

📣 Acontece em três dias! Junte-se a nós no lançamento virtual do guia de comunicação do PiOC «Abordando o falso dilema da mão pesada: orientação sobre comunicação para abordagens equilibradas e eficazes em matéria de segurança pública».