SAFE COMMUNITIES IN AFRICA (SOUTH) Mohamed Seedat Institute for Social & Health Sciences University of South Africa & Shahnaaz Suffla MRC-UNISA Crime, Violence and Injury Lead Programme WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training

OVERVIEW Roots Safe Community- Community Psychology Synergy CPA: Early Focus Ten Years Later Scope of Safecom Initiatives Regional Safecom Conference Challenges and Questions WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training

ROOTED IN: Struggle to dismantle apartheid Post-colonial skewed health systems Quest for equity, accessibility & cultural congruence Critical community psychology (South Africa) Search for appropriateness and relevance WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training

INTRODUCED THROUGH… Formalisation of Eldorado Park Centre for Peace Action – 1st African Safecom 6th International Safe Communities Conference (Johannesburg, October, 1997) WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training

CENTRE FOR PEACE ACTION WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training

SAFE COMMUNITIES CRITERIA SYNERGISED WITH… Community psychology’s accent on: – Collaboration and partnerships – Community participation and consultation – Prevention – Equity and justice – Competencies (as opposed to deficiencies) WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training

ELDORADO PARK CENTRE FOR PEACE ACTION: EARLY FOCUS Injury registration Youth development and after-school mentorship Early childhood development and parenting Schools-based safety initiatives. Women and violence WHO Collaborating Centre for Violence and Injury Prevention Research and Training