International policy dialogue on youth and knife violence

On 14 and 15 September 2009 the WHO Regional Office for Europe and the Department of Health of England jointly convened an international policy dialogue on ‘youth violence using knives and other sharp implements’ with a focus on the role of health systems in multisectoral response. The event, supported by the Department of Health of England, was held at The Royal Society and was attended by over 30 experts from several countries, representatives from WHO Headquarters, the Regional Office for Europe and the Department of Health. During the meeting the scale of the problem of youth violence using knives and other sharp implements was discussed, as were risk factors and social determinants. Experience on the latest evidence-based programmes was shared and the role of health systems was discussed in a multisectoral response in preventing youth violence with knives and other sharp implements. Strategies for a way forward were debated.