--- title: Peace in Our Cities Kicks into High Gear During Strategy Retreat in Amman, Jordan description: "Rachel Locke recaps their recent major global meeting for their largest campaign, Peace in Out Cities: In early February, senior staff from Mayor's offices together with local civil society partners came together in Amman, Jordan to strategically plan how Peace in Our Cities can bring greater attention, resources and evidence-based action to meeting violence reduction priorities." image: https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ac161911-50cb-435e-89dd-3defbb407f71.jpg --- [Skip Navigation](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/the-innovating-peace-blog/peace-in-our-cities-kicks-into-high-gear-during-strategy-retreat-in-amman-jordan#main) [![University of San Diego](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Branding%20Assets/logo-usd.png)](https://www.sandiego.edu/) [Joan B. 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Through the [Peace in Our Cities](https://www.sdg16.plus/peaceinourcities) campaign, which Kroc IPJ’s [Impact:Peace](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/institutes/ipj/global-programs/impactpeace.php) co-facilitates, Mayors representing 15 cities and roughly 20 million people are championing the roles that they – together with civil society – can play in lowering violence and building peace. In early February, senior staff from Mayor's offices together with local civil society partners came together in Amman, Jordan to strategically plan how Peace in Our Cities can bring greater attention, resources and evidence-based action to meeting violence reduction priorities. The focus of the strategic retreat was to reinforce the coalition of partners, to set a clear advocacy and messaging agenda, and to articulate a research plan for how Kroc IPJ can support the curation and dissemination of knowledge to aid cities in the work of building peace. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ff8ca7d2-bc5f-4caf-b323-9a9765684196.jpg?width=465&name=ff8ca7d2-bc5f-4caf-b323-9a9765684196.jpg) Violence is not only the acute expression of a violent act. It also refers to the presence of fear within society and a lack of what many refer to as positive peace. The range of cities represented in the Peace in Our Cities campaign made clear the imperative of both bringing down acute acts of violence in the short term, while simultaneously building up the factors that reinforce peace within society in the more medium-to-long term. To do this, Impact:Peace will be building out a research agenda that provides knowledge on what works to address violence across a range of articulated priorities, including violence against women, group or gang violence, political and identity-based violence and more. ![Partners from Lebanon, Somaliland, Jordan, Macedonia and Colombia in a site visit to Petra, demonstrating the breadth of Peace in Our Cities and the power of cooperation across borders.](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/ac161911-50cb-435e-89dd-3defbb407f71.jpg?width=553&name=ac161911-50cb-435e-89dd-3defbb407f71.jpg) On our last day in Jordan, many of the assembled participants enjoyed an excursion to [Petra](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/world-heritage/petra-jordan/#close), the “Rose City.” The field trip reinforced social bonds between cities and reminded us that throughout history when people put their minds to something, seemingly impossible goals can be reached. We take that spirit forward as we set our ambitions on a more peaceful, just and safe world for all.    ## Contact: Adrian Velázquez [avelazquez@gmail.com](mailto:avelazquez@gmail.com) (619) 260-7873 ![Kroc School](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/USD-SPS-logo-reverse-3.png) About the Author [Kroc School](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/peace/the-innovating-peace-blog/author/kroc-school) The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies (Kroc School) at the University of San Diego is the global hub for peacebuilding and social innovation. Founded in 2007, the Kroc School equips the next generation of innovative changemakers to shape more peaceful and just societies. We offer master's degrees in peace and justice, social innovation, humanitarian action, conflict management and resolution, and a dual degree in peace and law — programs that have attracted diverse and dynamic students from more than 50 countries. In addition to our graduate programs, the Kroc School is home to the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice (Kroc IPJ). Founded in 2001, the Institute supports positive change beyond the classroom. Through groundbreaking research, experiential learning, and forward-thinking programs, the Kroc School and Kroc IPJ are shaping a future in which peaceful co-existence is the new normal. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Photos/rmi-hex.svg) ## Request More Information Please complete the form below to learn more about the Kroc School graduate programs. We will email you more information regarding each of our programs. If you would like to receive a program guide for a specific degree, please select a program. ![](https://krocstories.sandiego.edu/hubfs/KROC/%5BKROC%5D%20Photos/rmi-hex.svg) ### Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies [Joan B. 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