Framework
Positive Peace, applied to the neighborhoods of New York
The Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP) defines Positive Peace as the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies, measured through eight interdependent Pillars. ARAC's Positive Peace work is led by M. Nuri Shakoor, an IEP Positive Peace Ambassador. This site applies the framework at the scale of a city: each story is tagged with the Pillars it illustrates.
01
Well-Functioning Government
- What it describes
- Institutions that deliver public services, uphold the rule of law and keep public trust.
- What it looks like locally
- Civic programs, public agencies and community boards that residents can reach and rely on.
02
Sound Business Environment
- What it describes
- Economic conditions in which enterprise, employment and the private sector can grow.
- What it looks like locally
- Small businesses, street vendors and neighborhood markets that anchor diaspora communities.
03
Equitable Distribution of Resources
- What it describes
- Fair access to essentials such as health, education and income opportunity.
- What it looks like locally
- Who can reach libraries, broadband, arts programming and youth services across the five boroughs.
04
Acceptance of the Rights of Others
- What it describes
- Formal protections and informal norms that respect the rights and freedoms of all groups.
- What it looks like locally
- Cultural festivals and heritage events where communities share traditions in public space.
05
Good Relations with Neighbours
- What it describes
- Peaceful relations between communities within a country and with neighboring states.
- What it looks like locally
- Interfaith, intercultural and block-level events that build ties between neighbors.
06
Free Flow of Information
- What it describes
- Free and independent media and broad access to accurate information.
- What it looks like locally
- Media, digital and AI literacy so residents can find, test and share reliable information.
07
High Levels of Human Capital
- What it describes
- A skilled, educated and healthy population able to contribute to society.
- What it looks like locally
- Youth mentorship, workshops and creative training that build skills and confidence.
08
Low Levels of Corruption
- What it describes
- Accountable institutions in which public resources are used for their intended purpose.
- What it looks like locally
- Transparent, documented community work with sources that readers can check.
A systems view
IEP treats the Pillars as a system: they reinforce one another, and progress in one tends to depend on the others. A single event rarely moves a Pillar on its own. Our coverage records where community activity connects to each Pillar; it does not claim to measure peace.
Primary sources: Institute for Economics & Peace · Vision of Humanity