The Cairo International Center for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding (CCCPA), in partnership with DDR Section United Nations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, Department of Peace Operations (DPO), the Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC), and the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) organized a pilot training course on CVR titled: “Laying the Grounds for Peace: A Holistic Approach to Community Violence Reduction (CVR)” from 26 to 31 May 2024 at the Swiss Armed Forces International Command Training Center (SWISSINT), in Stans, Switzerland. CCCPA was represented by Ms. Lina Raafat, Programme Manager for DDR. 

The pilot training course marked an important milestone, as the training brought together a rich group of experts, practitioners and African national officials to discuss and unpack the concept of CVR, its contribution to DDR processes, and how it fits within broader stabilization and peacebuilding efforts. It comprised 19 participants, representing different national bodies from South Sudan, Somalia and Nigeria, as well as various UN missions and agencies, civil society organizations and academia. It marks the second iteration of the Global Annual CVR Course, which was launched in 2023 and scheduled to take place annually, and can also be tailored to specific contexts.

The course introduced CVR as an opportunity to support the strategic objectives of a DDR process by contributing to the reduction of armed violence and building sustainable peace. It adopted a holistic approach by critically reflecting the variety of CVR programmes, including challenges and opportunities, through the perspectives of field practitioners, academia, researchers and other individuals involved in CVR. The training course provided participants with a deepened understanding of the concept of CVR and its related aspects, in addition to a clearer understanding and guidance on CVR project conceptualization, development, monitoring and evaluation.