Crime, Violence, At-Risk Youth, and Responsible Tourism in Latin America and the Caribbean
The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region has one of the highest levels of crime and violence in the world. While the average world homicide rate is 11 homicides per 100,000 residents, the rate in the LAC region is 36 per 100,000 (WHO, 2003). Cr...
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
World Bank, Washington, DC
2012
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/2009/08/11472749/crime-violence-at-risk-youth-responsible-tourism-latin-america-caribbean http://hdl.handle.net/10986/10234 |
| Summary: | The Latin America and Caribbean (LAC)
region has one of the highest levels of crime and violence
in the world. While the average world homicide rate is 11
homicides per 100,000 residents, the rate in the LAC region
is 36 per 100,000 (WHO, 2003). Crime and violence are now
recognized as serious economic and social problems with very
high economic and social costs, especially in poor urban
areas. By some estimates, the region loses up to 14 percent
of its gross domestic product (GDP) to violence.
Particularly worrisome is the fact that youth in the region
(typically defined as 15-24 year-olds) and young men in
particular are disproportionately involved in violence, as
both victims and perpetrators. As a case in point, the LAC
region has the world's highest homicide rate of men
between the ages of 15 and 29 (69 per 100,000), with
perpetrators of violent crimes most often being young men
between the ages of 16 and 25. This note provides an
overview of three sustainable tourism initiatives in the
region that seek to link tourism related activities with
social programs that by focusing on the most common types of
risk factors help prevent youth from becoming engaged in
at-risk behavior, including crime and violence. All three of
these initiatives were highlighted at the 'learning
event on sustainable and responsible tourism in LAC.'
Although the initiatives described in this note have not yet
undergone impact evaluations, they do provide promising
ideas for future Bank operations that seek to link
sustainable tourism and at-risk youth programs. |
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