Overview

Violent conflicts today are complex and increasingly protracted, involving more non-state groups and regional and international actors. It is estimated that by 2030—the horizon set by the international community to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals—over half of the world’s poor will be living in countries affected by high levels of violence. Information and communications technology, population movements, and climate change are also creating shared risks that must be managed at both national and international levels.

Pathways for Peace is a joint United Nations–World Bank Group study that originates from the conviction that the international community’s attention must urgently be refocused on prevention. A scaled-up system for preventive action would save between US$5 billion and $70 billion per year, which could be reinvested in reducing poverty and improving the wellbeing of populations.

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  • Comolli, V. 2017. “Transnational Organized Crime and Conflict.” Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC.
  • DCAF (Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces). 2017. “The Contribution and Role of SSR in the Prevention of Violent Conflict.” Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC.
  • Min, E., M. Singh, J. N. Shapiro, and B. Crisman. 2017. “Understanding Risk and Resilience to Violent Conflicts.” Empirical Studies of Conflict Project (ESOC), Princeton University. Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC
  • Mueller, H. 2017. “How Much Is Prevention Worth?” Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC.
  • Nygard, H. M., K. Baghat, G. Barrett, K. DuPuy, S. Gates, S. Hillesund, S. A. Rustad, H. Strand, H. Urdal, and G. Østby. 2017. “Inequality and Armed Conflict: Evidence and Data.” Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC.
  • Paffenholz, T., A. Hirblinger, D. Landau, F. Fritsch, and C. Dijkstra. 2017. “Preventing Violence through Inclusion: From Building Political Momentum to Sustaining Peace.” Inclusive Peace & Transition Initiative (IPTI), Geneva Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC.
  • Payne, L., A. Reiter, C. Mahony, and L. Bernal-Bermudez. 2017. “Conflict Prevention and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence.” Background paper for United Nations–World Bank Flagship Study, Pathways for Peace: Inclusive Approaches to Preventing Violent Conflict, World Bank, Washington, DC.