1717589431690-policy-brief-188-0d12cbc6d5b79e43.pdf

This policy brief examines the Violence Prevention Forum (VPF), a multisectoral platform convened by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) since 2015 to reduce and prevent violence in South Africa. Based on 2023 case study research, the document details how the VPF fosters collaboration between government, NGOs, academia, and the private sector by prioritizing relationship-building, collective sense-making, and the translation of evidence into policy and practice.

• The Violence Prevention Forum (VPF) facilitates the translation of evidence into policy and practice by providing an inclusive platform for dialogue and fostering trust between different sectors.
• The VPF utilizes a specific institutional design to ensure inclusivity and legitimacy, including the use of consensus-based decision-making and the intentional inclusion of diverse perspectives to avoid 'echo chambers'.
• In 2021, the VPF conducted sector-specific workshops to establish a shared definition of violence prevention, which is now used to inform policy and advocate for prevention efforts.
• Motivation for participating in the VPF varies by sector: researchers use it to enhance the impact and dissemination of their work; government officials value it as a non-judgemental 'thinking space' to engage with evidence; and NGOs seek connections with other stakeholders.
• A core component of the VPF's theory of change is the emphasis on personal transformation and relationship-building, using experiential methods like reflective 'check-in' sessions to build trust, though some researchers find these personal aspects challenging.
• The VPF has produced tangible outcomes, including informing government policies and funding, the development of relational skills among participants, and the creation of new networks such as the South African Parenting Programme Implementers Network (SAPPIN).

APA

Institute for Security Studies (n.d.). 1717589431690-policy-brief-188-0d12cbc6d5b79e43.pdf. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1717589431690-policy-brief-188.pdf

Chicago

Institute for Security Studies. 1717589431690-policy-brief-188-0d12cbc6d5b79e43.pdf. n.d. https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1717589431690-policy-brief-188.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Institute for Security Studies |title=1717589431690-policy-brief-188-0d12cbc6d5b79e43.pdf |url=https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1717589431690-policy-brief-188.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{instituteforsecuritystudiesnd1717589431690policybrief1880d12cbc6d5b79e43pdf, author = {{Institute for Security Studies}}, title = {{1717589431690-policy-brief-188-0d12cbc6d5b79e43.pdf}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, url = {https://issafrica.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/pages/1717589431690-policy-brief-188.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }