Impact:Peace and Stanley Center Release New Analysis of Identity-Based Mass Violence in Cities

On Monday, December 21, 2020, the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice’s Impact:Peace Initiative released an analysis of identity-based mass violence in cities, which was completed in partnership with the Stanley Center for Peace and Security. 

The research report and accompanying discussion paper represent major progress in advancing collaboration between the atrocity prevention community and those focused on addressing acute and systemic violence at city-level. 

Two documents are included as part of the release.

The first is the research report, “Big Events on a Small Scale: Exploring Identity-Based Mass Violence in Cities,” which utilizes a series of carefully-collected case studies to explore how urban violence intersects with mass atrocities. The work seeks to establish common ground between atrocity prevention and urban violence prevention, identifying five strategies to sustain and strengthen cities, their inhabitants, and the communities of scholarship and practice that support them. 

The second is a discussion paper, “Preventing Identity-Based Mass Violence in Cities,” which was co-authored by Impact:Peace Director Rachel Locke and Research Consultant Theo Sitther. The brief summarizes the research, providing specific policy recommendations to reduce the risk of identity-based mass violence in urban spaces.

“In practice, the authority for preventing and responding to violence is often a shared responsibility across different levels of government, in some cases including international actors. Greater attention to how national and international actors can either boost the protective responsibilities of city-based actors or constrain them is urgently needed. This research and recommendations will help bridge that gap.” — Rachel Locke

Research was conducted by Ariana Markowitz. The work benefited from research support from Impact:Peace intern and Kroc School MS in Conflict Management and Resolution student, Nasema Zeerak, and Impact:Peace Policy and Communications Associate Julia Canney.

Learn more about Impact:Peace.