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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 23/09/2026

🌎 Junte-se a nós em nosso próximo webinar, que contará com a participação dos autores do nosso novo compêndio sobre abordagens baseadas em evidências para a prevenção da violência urbana em um contexto de incerteza global. 🗓️ 8 de outubro ⏰ 10h–11h30 (ET) Inscreva-se: buff.ly/WpPEDJl #SafeCities

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 23/09/2026

🌎 Rejoignez-nous à l’occasion de notre prochain webinaire, qui réunira les auteurs de notre nouveau compendium consacré aux approches fondées sur des données probantes pour prévenir la violence urbaine dans un contexte d’incertitude mondiale. 🗓️ le 8 octobre ⏰ 10 h–11 h 30 (ET) ➡️ buff.ly/WpPEDJl

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 23/09/2026

🌎 Acompáñanos en nuestro próximo webinar, que contará con la participación de los autores de nuestro nuevo compendio sobre enfoques basados en evidencia para prevenir la violencia urbana en un contexto de incertidumbre global. 🗓️ 8 de octubre ⏰ 10:00–11:30 a. m. (ET) Regístrate: buff.ly/WpPEDJl

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 23/09/2026

Join us at an upcoming webinar featuring authors of our new compendium, which looks at evidence-based approaches to urban violence prevention amid global uncertainty. 🌎 🗓️ October 8 ⏰ 10:00-11:30 AM (ET) Register: buff.ly/WpPEDJl #SafeCities #PeaceInOurCities

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

The value isn't importing a model from Bristol 🇬🇧 or Abeokuta 🇳🇬. It's learning to do this work with YOUR stakeholders, YOUR media landscape, YOUR political structures. Local communities building solutions. That's where peace is built. 🕊️🧭

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

For cities considering this work: bring diverse stakeholders to the same table 🪑. Understand what each contributes 🧩. Use media strategically 📢. Generate local commitments to address violence in YOUR context. 🔑 It will look different everywhere. 🌐

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

"Community organisations should be recognised as essential infrastructure, not an optional extra." —Martin Bisp. Not charity. Infrastructure. This reframing is everything. When communities are infrastructure, systems begin to shift. 🏛️✨

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

"Change begins with an individual, a family, or a neighbourhood before it reaches a city or nation." —Martin Bisp, Empire Fighting Chance. Trust is built where communities live. Transformation starts where people are. Change radiates outward. 🌱

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

The insight: prevention work is about building and sustaining relationships. 🔗 Not programs. Not structures. RELATIONSHIPS. With credible use of media 📢, strategic partnerships 🤝, and consistent engagement with decision-makers 🎯. This is the infrastructure of change. 🧩

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

For PIN, the exchange revealed Empire Fighting Chance's Box Champion model 🥊—integrating mental well-being into non-contact boxing training with young people. 💪 Same commitment to youth transformation. Different context. Shared learning. Different paths to peace. ✨

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

For Empire Fighting Chance, Abeokuta meant learning from PIN's cross-sector work: government 🏛️, traditional leadership 👥, civil society 🤝, faith communities 🙏, youth 🧑‍🦱. This is what systems-level violence prevention looks like—integrated, diverse, intentional. 🔄

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 14/08/2026

How does prevention shift from local to regional to systems-level change? The Peace Initiative Network shows us how, through deliberate tactics. From radio 📻 to police reform 🚔 to faith-based peacebuilding 🙏, they've built a system where local action drives regional and systems-level change. 🔄

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

PIN demonstrates the model: Local prevention + regional amplification + systems influence = addressing cycles of violence. 🕊️ This is intentional peacebuilding through media, evidence, and strategic infrastructure. 📣✨

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

Prevention infrastructure IS evidence infrastructure. 🧬 When learning spreads through media 📢, advocacy 📣, and strategic relationships 🤝, entire regions shift how they think about violence prevention. 💡

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

The key insight for Empire Fighting Chance: Strong local programs matter. 💪 But systems change requires sharing evidence 📊, leveraging media 📢, and influencing policy 🏛️. Local + amplification = transformation.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

PIN's infrastructure isn't accidental. It's woven into their theory of change: Radio 📻 + Police 🚔 + Faith 🙏 + Media 📢 = Prevention infrastructure. Each element serves a purpose. Together, they drive systems-level influence. 🧩🔄

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

Faith-based groups like Chapel of Christ The Glorious King (CCGK) bring peacebuilding into trusted community spaces. 🙏 Local TV station OGTV documents the work. Credibility builds. 📺✨

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

PIN works with Splash FM, a regional radio station reaching several Nigerian states. 🇳🇬📻 Through this platform, they communicate prevention approaches and key principles. As a result, local police have shifted from top-down responses to balanced prevention strategies. That's influence.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 13/08/2026

How does prevention infrastructure work at scale? PIN shows us through deliberate media tactics. 📢 From radio 📻 to police reform 🚔 to faith-based peacebuilding 🙏, they've built a system where local action drives regional and systems-level change. #PeaceinOurCities

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

When figures like Anthony Joshua and organizations like Matchroom Boxing lend support, they provide visibility, legitimacy, and new prevention opportunities. 👁️✅ But critically, PIN’s leadership and community relationships ensure this equipment reaches young people for years. 🕊️

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

A moment that stood out: Empire Fighting Chance & Matchroom Boxing presented equipment donated by Anthony Joshua & the Clean Herts Community Foundation to the Ogun State Boxing Association. 🎁🏆 Champions lending their weight matters.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

Traditional boxing can intimidate. The non-contact model changes that. 🥊✨ It offers an approachable entry point while maintaining legitimacy for young people. It's accessible AND powerful. That's intentional design.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

But the deeper insight: embedding psychosocial support within sports transforms prevention infrastructure entirely. 🔄 A boxing program isn't just for those labeled "at-risk"—it's for ALL young people, as early as possible. Universal, accessible, powerful.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

This creates multiple entry points for engagement. Young people who'd never approach formal mental health services? They'll walk into a boxing gym. There's no stigma. 🥋 That credibility opens doors that clinical services often can't—especially when waitlists are long. 🚪

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

As young people practice footwork, movement, and breathing, coaches incorporate emotional regulation, resilience, confidence, and trust. 🧠💪 The coach isn't a therapist—they're a trusted messenger, a guide, and support. 👂

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 12/08/2026

On Day 2 in Abeokuta, Empire Fighting Chance demonstrated something powerful: how sports can be a vehicle for psychosocial support and emotional self-awareness. 🥊💭 Through their Box Champion model, psychological principles are woven into every drill and conversation.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 11/08/2026

The deeper insight: Trust isn't transactional. It's built through years of intentional work, respect, and showing up consistently. This is what sustainable peacebuilding looks like. This is what PIN demonstrates daily.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 11/08/2026

The ecosystem PIN holds space across: 👥Traditional leaders share cultural knowledge and hold trust within communities 🤝Civil society offers advocacy, coordination, lived experience, and local insight 🏛️ Government recognizes the prevention priority and benefits from deep community knowledge

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 11/08/2026

What enables this? Three foundational principles: 🗣️ Years of listening to what each stakeholder brings 🌍 Respecting lived realities, language, and priorities 📍 Showing up consistently with a clear sense of purpose

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 11/08/2026

And the remarkable part? PIN entered each meeting with genuine credibility. They weren't performing different roles—they were authentically trusted by every stakeholder present. That's extraordinarily rare.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 11/08/2026

On day one of our exchange, we observed the Peace Initiative Network’s multistakeholder coalition in action. Back-to-back meetings: government officials, then traditional leaders, then civil society networks, then community representatives. All in one day.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 11/08/2026

How do you build trust with government without losing credibility with communities? The Peace Initiative Network answered this through years of consistency and clear purpose. In Abeokuta, we watched them operate credibly across government, traditional leaders, civil society & grassroots communities.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

The takeaway: Safer, more connected communities aren't built through isolated interventions. They emerge when diverse stakeholders—government, civil society, faith, media, youth, police—coordinate around shared values and sustained commitment. More stories coming soon.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

For our partners at Empire Fighting Chance, this exchange represented a shift from local impact in Bristol to influencing wider systems and policy. That's the value of peer learning and cross-border collaboration in the peacebuilding space.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

What makes this model work? Three foundational principles: 1️⃣ Relationships built on trust 2️⃣ Working within political structures, not against them 3️⃣ Recognition that systemic change takes time These aren't quick fixes. They're sustainable approaches.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

→ Traditional leaders (like the Sarkin Hausawa) bridging communities and countering stereotypes → Government coordination with Abeokuta South Local Government ensuring policymakers align with community-based initiatives Each actor adds unique strength.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

The ecosystem PIN built includes: → Partnership Against Violent Extremism (PAVE): 50+ civil society groups coordinating regionally → Media embedded as a prevention & peacebuilding strategy → Youth & faith groups as anchors of the work

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

Last week, we traveled to Abeokuta with Empire Fighting Chance (Bristol) to learn from the Peace Initiative Network's approach to violence prevention. Their model shows what's possible when you build an inclusive ecosystem from the ground up.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 10/08/2026

In Abeokuta, Nigeria, we witnessed multistakeholder violence prevention in action. When government, civil society, faith leaders, media, youth, and police coordinate—real change happens. Key insight: systemic change built on trust, working within structures, and time. 🧵

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 21/07/2026

📸 NYU Center on International Cooperation (CIC)/Symphony Chau + United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG)/Joel Sheakoski #PeaceInOurCities #SaferCities #SDGs #HLPF2026

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 21/07/2026

⚒️ Later that week, Luisa also represented the network during #UCLG’s Local and Regional Government Day, where she spoke about the role that cities must have in delivering and crafting the commitments of a post-2030 Agenda.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 21/07/2026

🪽 Luisa Portugal represented the PiOC secretariat at the @sdg16.plus’ VNR Lab to talk about how building safer cities—particularly combating organized crime—can be a catalyst to build more sustainable and inclusive cities.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 21/07/2026

🏙️ With #SDG11 under review, cities were at the center of the discussions at this year’s High-Level Political Forum at the #UnitedNations. Peace in Our Cities made sure to be there to highlight the crucial role of cities and local leaders in creating a more safe, just and inclusive world for all.

People listening to speaker in light green blouse and glasses seated at a long table.

"Welcome to VNR Labs | July 7-15, 2026 | Dag hammarskjöld Library" signage in front of the room in the United Nations HQ.

Speaker in light green blouse and glasses seated at a long table.

Speakers and attendees listening to remarks from a speaker at the UCLG side event during HLPF 2026 at UNHQ.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 15/07/2026

💫 We are thrilled to welcome Instituto Cidade Segura to the #PIOC network! A civil society organization based in Porto Alegre 🇧🇷 , their goal is to “promote an evidence-based approach to public safety + violence prevention.” ▶ buff.ly/cHbxDjL #SafeCities #SDG10

PIOC + Instituto Cidade Segura logos. Text: New Member, #PEACEINOURCITIES

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 09/07/2026

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

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 02/07/2026

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

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 26/06/2026

🌍 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

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Daniel Friedman's Remarks at the UCLG World Congress 2026.

🌍 As conversations on the future of global governance look beyond the 2030 Agenda, cities must have a stronger voice in shaping—not just implementing—the solutions to today's greatest…

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 25/06/2026

🚧 Obstacles that define their cities’ realities 🧰 Role of prevention as a long-term investment 📣 Lessons learned across phases 🏙️ What’s next for cities to move from vision → impact to create lasting change? Interested in learning more? Check out the PiOC Network: buff.ly/KCuZkEu.

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Our Cities - Peace in Our Cities

Our member cities are local governments and civil society organizations dedicated to significantly reducing severe forms of violence.

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 25/06/2026

Flavia Carbonari from the #PIOC Secretariat moderated a discussion with Mayor Rodrigo Neves from Niterói, Brazil 🇧🇷 ; and Mayor Merly Viana Pérez from San Jacinto, Colombia🇨🇴 , where they explored:

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Peace in Our Cities @peaceinourcities.org · 25/06/2026

Thank you to Paul Smoke @nyucic.bsky.social + Ana Clara Telles @open-society.bsky.social for their opening remarks highlighting the role of cities in leading innovative approaches to violence reduction. #ViolencePrevention #UrbanViolence #LocallyLedStrategies

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