Community-Centred Security Governance: From Cape Town to Oakland a story of Peace Committees

Presenters: Khariyyah Shabazz, Clifford Shearing and Mayssa Sultan

4pm UK time | 8am Oakland California | 6pm Cape Town

Abstract

This joint presentation tells the story of the journey of Peace Committees, a restorative inspired, community-centred safety initiative that reimagines community conflict resolution. The journey begins with the 1994 South African elections, is supported by the Mandela and Mbeki governments, is brought to a halt by the Zuma government, and is currently entering a new phase in Oakland, California. It is a story relevant to the defund the police movement, calls to decolonialise security and justice, security budgets, and community-led governance.

Image: Thomas Hawk, Flickr.