Mexico Peace Index 2021: Measuring Peace and Its Complexity [] Rotary Club Program

Please support our Rotary Projects

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/6bYTjeo35hg

By: Elizabeth Adlung

Is the world at peace or at war? This is not a simple question to say the least!

Carlos Juárez Cruz, Mexico Director of the Institute for Economics and Peace, discussed peace and conflict on International Peace Day, Tuesday, Sept.21 – at the San Miguel Midday Rotary meeting.

Rotary International has partnered with the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), an independent think tank and leader in the study of peace and conflict, to help address the root causes of conflict and create conditions that foster peace.

IEP develops conceptual frameworks to define peacefulness; provides metrics for measuring peace; and reveals the relationships between business, peace and prosperity. IEP also promotes better understanding of the cultural, economic and political factors that create peace.

The total economic impact of violence to Mexico is more than double the total yearly exports from the automotive industry, Mexico’s largest industrial sector. The costs associated with violence remain high, yet government expenditure on countering violence has decreased. Since 2015, expenditure on domestic security services has fallen by 31.4 percent. However, military spending and private protection costs increased when compared to 2019, highlighting a shift towards using the military to combat organized crime.

Carlos leads the Mexico Program of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) which spans academic, corporate, and social impact spheres, and focusses on peacebuilding and conflict resolution. He has led multi-sector peacebuilding initiatives in Mexico that include local governments, universities, and NGOs.

He has given talks and training in Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and several cities of the United States, to diverse audiences ranging from military and police officers, to religious leaders, children and college students.

Carlos, father of three, is a Rotary Peace Fellow, a graduate of Duke University (Master of International Development Policy), and holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

Rotary is where neighbors, friends and problem-solvers share ideas, join leaders and take action to create lasting change. For more information, contact President Skip Essick at skipessickmedia@gmail.com