10 October 2022 – The Global Parliament of Mayors is excited to share that GPM Mayor Óscar Escobar from Palmira, Colombia, has been nominated and is one of the finalists of the UCLG Peace Prize 2022!

Alongside four cities, Palmira has been recognized for its efforts in tackling urban violence. Moving away from the habitual military response approach, the city has developed a comprehensive violence prevention strategy, prioritizing resources for youth, who are more vulnerable to gang violence.

Mayor Escobar’s initiative, PAZOS, has helped the city reduce the homicide rates, currently being the lowest in 17 years. Throughout its implementation, more than 600 community conflicts with a high probability of violence have been mediated and interrupted, 290 young people from the Forjar Oportunidades programme enjoy psychosocial support to reduce youth violence. Moreover, 185 children, adolescents, and young people are part of artistic and cultural programs with a differential focus on violence prevention.

Among the nominees are Mersin, Turkey, Mishiha, Burundi, Monterrey, Mexico, and Recife, Brasil. The UCLG Peace Prize highlights the importance of local governments in conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and post-conflict reconstruction in fragile contexts all over the world. To read more about the Prize, click here.

To read more about Palmira’s initiative, PAZOS: https://palmira.gov.co/noticias/la-estrategia-pazos-paz-y-oportunidades-sigue-trabajando-para-fortalecer-los-territorios/