Is gang-related violence becoming worse in small islands?

Update: 2025-05-19

Description

Small states are among the most peaceful societies, rarely experiencing war and conflict. Yet, on a per capita basis, some - especially, but not exclusively, in the Caribbean—suffer from daunting levels of homicidal violence. In this episode, ODI Global's Emily and Matt ask whether gang violence is getting worse, and explore how SIDS are investing in young people as one part of the solution.

Featuring:

Mtima Solwazi - Trinidad’s Roots Foundation on guiding disenfranchised youths away from illicit activities.
Adam Baird, a leading gang expert who has pioneered a “masculinities” approach to anti-violence interventions throughout Latin America and the Caribbean
Rivke Jaffe, an Amsterdam-based academic who has written extensively about Jamaica’s “Dons”
Dylan Kerrigan, who has spent two decades working on myriad community peacebuilding projects across the Port of Spain.

Resources:

Programme page | Resilient and Sustainable Islands Initiative (RESI)
Mtima in the media | The impact of the USAID cuts on anti-crime programs
Mtima’s videos and promos | Roots Foundation YouTube page
Adam’s book | From South Central to Southside
Adam's recent UNIDIR paper | Focusing on men to reduce global armed violence
Adam on the Common Ground podcast | Chronic vulnerability and violence in Belize
Rivke’s book | The Rule of Dons
Rivke’s University of Amsterdam webpage | Professor Rivke Jaffe
Dylan’s personal website with all of his writings | www.dylankerrigan.com
Adam, Matt and Dylan’s papers | Breaking Bad: Gangs, Masculinities and Murder in Trinidad and How do gangs mediate ‘residual violence’ to sustain Trinidad’s homicide boom?

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