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Download the file - United Nations Rule of Law

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This part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Global Report explores promising policyresponses to <strong>the</strong> three major threats to urban safety andsecurity reviewed in Parts II, III and IV. It specifically buildson <strong>the</strong> international, national and local policy and practicetrends identified and discussed in Chapters 4, 6 and 8 – thatis, on crime and violence, security <strong>of</strong> tenure and forcedevictions, and natural and human-made disasters, respectively.There can be little doubt that <strong>the</strong>re is considerablescope for fur<strong>the</strong>r development in policies and practices forreducing urban crime and violence. Chapter 10, <strong>the</strong> first inthis part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> report, discusses policy responses andpractices designed to address <strong>the</strong> threat <strong>of</strong> urban crime andviolence that, on <strong>the</strong> basis <strong>of</strong> experience to date, could befur<strong>the</strong>r pursued in <strong>the</strong> future.The ‘traditional’ approach to problems <strong>of</strong> crime andviolence, which is to see <strong>the</strong>m as <strong>the</strong> primary responsibility<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> police and <strong>the</strong> criminal justice system, is increasinglybeing replaced by an approach that recognizes that <strong>the</strong>complexity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> phenomena being addressed requires abroad-based response. There is considerable scope forfur<strong>the</strong>r development <strong>of</strong> this approach. None<strong>the</strong>less, it isimportant that <strong>the</strong> police and <strong>the</strong> criminal justice system are‘fit for purpose’ in <strong>the</strong> modern world, and are seen as keycontributors to <strong>the</strong> fight against crime and violence.Improvements and reforms in <strong>the</strong>se ‘traditional’ areas areessential and should primarily be driven by central governmentsin most developing countries. Such improvementsshould be seen as complementary to <strong>the</strong> newer approachesbeing developed in ‘non-traditional’ fields, and appropriatelinkages should be developed between all <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se activities.The main ‘non-traditional’ or newer approachesexplored in Chapter 10 include enhancement <strong>of</strong> urban safetyand security through effective urban planning, design andgovernance; <strong>the</strong> development <strong>of</strong> community-basedapproaches to enhancing urban safety and security; reduction<strong>of</strong> key risk factors by focusing on groups mostvulnerable to crime; and streng<strong>the</strong>ning <strong>of</strong> social capitalthrough initiatives that seek to develop <strong>the</strong> ability <strong>of</strong> individualsand communities <strong>the</strong>mselves to respond to problems <strong>of</strong>crime and violence, provide economic, social, cultural andsporting opportunities, and improve <strong>the</strong> environment inways that assist <strong>the</strong>se processes. The combination <strong>of</strong> several<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se approaches – all <strong>of</strong> which are specially suitable forimplementation at <strong>the</strong> local level – into a systematicprogramme, driven by a broad strategy and based upon acareful understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local context, seems more likelyto be successful than <strong>the</strong> ad hoc application <strong>of</strong> individualinitiatives.The preferred mechanism for supporting this broadbasedapproach is usually <strong>the</strong> partnership mechanism; but tobe fully effective, partnerships need to address a series <strong>of</strong>questions about <strong>the</strong>ir operation, and partners need to buyfully into <strong>the</strong> spirit <strong>of</strong> partnership. Central and local governmentscan play a key role in providing an enablingenvironment and framework for partnerships to flourish.The best institutional structures for implementing suchprogrammes or initiatives are likely to be those that succeedin getting <strong>the</strong> key players involved in delivery toge<strong>the</strong>r inways that get <strong>the</strong>m not only to commit to <strong>the</strong> programme,but also to explore how <strong>the</strong> mainstream work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir ownagencies can contribute to <strong>the</strong> overall effectiveness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>seinitiatives. Local authorities will <strong>of</strong>ten be <strong>the</strong> most appropriateleaders <strong>of</strong> such structures. Local communities need to beas fully involved as possible in <strong>the</strong>se processes, not only interms <strong>of</strong> consultation, but also as generators and implementers<strong>of</strong> projects. Capacity-building is a fundamental part<strong>of</strong> work to address crime and violence at <strong>the</strong> local level. Theapproach adopted towards capacity-building activities needsto be as broadly based as possible, and to respond to <strong>the</strong>capacity-building needs <strong>of</strong> pr<strong>of</strong>essional groups, partnershipmembers and local community members.The transfer <strong>of</strong> ideas from elsewhere can be veryvaluable, but it needs to be thought about carefully in <strong>the</strong>particular circumstances in which it is intended to apply<strong>the</strong>m. It cannot be assumed that ideas that have worked inone part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world will necessarily work elsewhere. Thereare no one-size-fits-all solutions, and <strong>the</strong>re is no substitutefor a careful study <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> particular situation in order todetermine <strong>the</strong> most appropriate course <strong>of</strong> action.There needs to be a greater level <strong>of</strong> commitment toevaluating crime prevention programmes, as well as moreopen reporting <strong>of</strong> evaluation results, including areas whereproblems have been experienced. This is an area where civilsociety and independent non-governmental organizations(NGOs) can play a key role. This is because much that isdone in <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong> crime and violence prevention is ei<strong>the</strong>rnot evaluated, is assessed in <strong>the</strong> most perfunctory manner,or is declared to be successful without much, if any,evidence to support such claim. An important point that is byno means always recognized is that valuable lessons can belearned from what has not gone well, as well as what hassucceeded.International support <strong>of</strong> various kinds can help cities,

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