by Brian Koehler

Marty's posting has inspired me to explore the question: How violent is the USA compared to other countries? I used WHO stats (which can be found at the following website devoted to peace: http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~cpb/peace/countries.htm)

The best source of information we can find on comparative violence levels across countries is the World Health Organization (WHO) Mortality Statistics. The agency collects data from 77 countries and regions on causes of death. Among the more than 100 causes listed three are pertinent: "Homicide and injury purposely inflicted by other persons," "Other violence," and "Other external causes."I do not believe that war casualties are included in these statistics (if so the US would have a higher ranking).

The USA is ranked 42nd out of 77 countries (higher numbers represent higher rates of violence). Spain, which Julie Kipp and I just returned from (we were very impressed by their free medical care and education to all citizens, immigrants, etc.) is ranked as having one of the lowest ratings of violence (in Madrid, we hardly saw any homeless persons as well). Norway is listed as having the lowest violence rates-Australia is also very low- (I am pleased that these three countries have been or will be hosts to our ISPS congresses).

The Center for Citizen Peacebuilding at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a distinctive international clearinghouse for research, education, and action on public peace processes. The Center focuses on how citizens participate in these activities to prevent violent conflict and, if violence occurs, to promote reconciliation and sustainable peace. The purpose is to significantly contribute to the theory and practice of conflict resolution.

The Center for Citizen Peacebuilding is one example of UCI's response to the growing national and international problems of conflict and violence. Unlike other peace and conflict institutions that tend to focus on either international or domestic issues, the Center has an integrated approach to studying the best peacebuilding methods in both domestic and international conflicts. We also focus on grassroots peacebuilding efforts and leave government-level concerns to other institutions. Current efforts include peacebuilding in neighborhoods in Orange County and Los Angeles, California as well as in communities in Northern Ireland, the Middle East, Cyprus, and the former Soviet Union.

The Center for Citizen Peacebuilding has three primary goals. The first goal is to study citizen peacebuilding initiatives at home and around the world to determine the best practices currently in place and to share these findings with all interested organizations and individuals. The second goal is to offer training in successful conflict resolution skills. The third goal is to initiate and participate in citizen peacebuilding initiatives worldwide as well as advocate for a safer world. Research, education, and action inform one another. All three are important to promote knowledge about positive models for change and constructive public debate.

Their website address is:
www.socsci.uci.edu/~cpb/peace/countries.htm