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When considering the vast development needs and challenges in Africa, as reflected in post-2015 development plans, the cost of violence is both tragic and wasteful. In 2013 alone, the cost of dealing with global violence and its aftermath was approximately US $9.8 trillion, equivalent to 11.3% of global GDP. This figure is twice the GDP of the entire African economy, including many countries classified as fragile states (Institute for Economics and Peace 2014). Such wastefulness in economic terms is a shadow of the loss in human terms. Interventions such as the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), which promote and educate for nonviolence and peace are important counters to widespread violence.

AVP offers training in non-violent conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Originating with workshops in New York prisons in 1975, AVP has grown slowly and organically through volunteer-led, bottom-up networks …