"The world is entering a volatile and unstable phase. With the COVID-19 pandemic set to persist for years, the global economy is headed into a significant decline.Structural inequalities,unemployment and food insecurityare likely to rise. The risks of social unrest, political violence, and armed conflict are growing more intense. There is already evidence of a sharp uptick in domestic and sexual violence. Communal tensions are flaring, with violent protests breaking out across the world.

The 2015 Sustainable Development Goals provide an unprecedented opportunity to build a world that reduces exclusion, fear and violence–all by 2030.This was never going to be easy. Even before COVID-19, powerful trends and interests held back progress towards peace, justice and inclusion (SDG16+).The world experienced dangerous levels of violence affecting one in six people. 89,000 people were killed in armed conflicts in 2018. More than70 million people are currently dislocated as refugees or internally displaced. Almost 500,000 more people were murdered outside war zones. And up to 1 billion children are victims of some form of violence annually. With growing inequality, destitution and anger, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the failure of governments to adequately respond may accelerate these trends in the months and years to come.

Bold global, national and subnational leadership and high-level ambition will be critical to set priorities and deliver a lasting transformation towards peace on the ground. National and city governments, businesses, non-governmental and civic organizations require access to the highest quality knowledge and resources to scale-up what is working.They also need to form strategic coalitions to implement shared strategies, exchange information about policy options,and replicate success stories and solutions. The Pathfinders for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies was set up to realize such goals and accelerate the delivery of SDG16+. Pathfinders are committed to launching and supporting a global movement to halve violence by 2030. It is partnering with at least 100 national governments, city authorities, international and national organizations, as well as business and philanthropic groups to prioritize and scale-up concrete and practical solutions to prevent and reduce multiple categories of violence. The movement coincides with the75th Anniversary of the UN and the Decade of Action to accelerate the SDGs. Without dramatic action and achievements when it comes to violence, Agenda 2030 will fail. This document provides an overview of the Pathfinders’ strategy for reaching the goals and assisting national and sub national decision-makers to mobilize support for, and implement, the goals to halve global violence."

 

The Movement to Halve Global Violence by 2030

For more information, visit the Pathfinders' page on Peace.

To read the full document, click on the file below.

Files