Violence Prevention Articles & Essays

This article argues that the practice of preventing violent conflicts is not new and that there are some widely-accepted tenets that taken together constitute a basic approach to effective prevention. What is lacking are operational models which effectively incorporate most elements of this approach.

This article presents and critically analyzes a model for preventing violent conflict which takes a whole-of-problem approach and a corresponding pilot project based on the model which has been operating in Guinea- Bissau since 2004. The model is found to be well designed as it incorporates the basic approach for effective prevention and a number of principles for good international engagement in fragile states. The model is also found to be a useful framework for undertaking dynamic conflict prevention, which can be understood as the ongoing proactive identification and targeting of those factors which will likely cause violent conflict no matter in which sector or level they occur. Moreover, the flexible structure of this model situates it well for wide application in other states and regions where violence is to be prevented. Weaknesses identified with the model include limitations to the range of preventive actions which it can utilize, limitations in generating political will, and dependency upon highly-experienced and knowledgeable project staff in order for it to be successfully applied in other contexts.

http://www.ciian.org/assets/forms/wholeofproblemmodel.pdf