February 2005
Research and Knowledge Transfer

Small Arms Matter

"More people throughout the world are killed by small arms than any other weapons."

This is just one of the facts which the University's Centre for International Co-operation and Security (CICS) is highlighting through its work on the impact of small arms and light weapons - on post-conflict reconstruction, rural livelihoods, development and governance.

The Centre has conducted a 10-month research project for the UK Government's Department for International Relations called the Armed Violence and Poverty Initiative (AVPI).

The project assessed the impact of armed violence, particularly small arms and light weapons, on the economy, the state, households and communities.

The work involved the Centre travelling to the world's trouble spots such as Sierra Leone, Northeast India, Nepal and Nigeria to assess the impact of these conflicts on the lives of ordinary people.

Director of the Centre Owen Greene said: "We are breaking new ground in terms of linking security, development and policy to small arms. This is an area that doesn't tend to be connected."

Senior Research Fellow at the Centre Jeremy Ginifer gives examples of urban gang violence in parts of Nigeria where violence amongst youth groups is having a huge impact on people's livelihoods.

Not only does this violence affect the economy, but even when small arms reduction projects allow some sort of return to normality, whole communities can be left with a feeling of distrust and fear. In these circumstances, work needs to be done to ensure that groups work together to develop a secure environment and build community spirit.

Owen said: "During the 1990s it became evident that it was not only larger weapons such as tanks and missiles which were causing security concerns internationally.

"However, amongst the development community the belief still exists that although small arms are dangerous, they are part of the world we live in.

"But small arms have a direct impact on development and on the ability of development workers to carry out their projects. The development community needs to take this seriously."

The aim of CICS is to develop research which assists international co-operation and security. Projects are currently being undertaken in several areas including the impact of armed violence on development and governance, and the political economy of war.

• For a complete list logon to www.bradford.ac.uk/acad/cics/

14 February 2005

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