The Underlying Need
Local governments play a vital role in preventing and responding to hate and targeted violence. Their proximity to communities, ability to convene partners across sectors, and responsibility for critical public services position them to play a critical role in catalyzing and coordinating a whole-of-city approach to addressing these threats.
In cities with a council-manager form of government, city managers and Chief Administrative Officers (CAOs) typically oversee the day-to-day operations of local government and help translate community and city priorities into action. Their cross-departmental responsibilities position them to play a critical role in violence prevention and supporting social cohesion, yet they are often overlooked as key partners in these efforts. As communities seek to strengthen prevention efforts, city managers and CAOs have identified a need for practical guidance, peer- learning opportunities, and tools that can help them leverage their full potential, including by coordinating action across local government, aligning departmental practice and embedding prevention and response into existing municipal systems.
Our Approach
This working group brings together city managers, CAOs, and subject matter experts to explore the unique role that city manager and CAO leadership can play in preventing and responding to hate and targeted violence and in building and sustaining whole-of-city approaches.
Participants will examine common challenges, share promising practices, and identify practical strategies that city managers and CAOs can use to build partnerships, coordinate resources, and support prevention efforts. Through collaboration and peer learning, the group will develop practical recommendations to better equip city managers and CAOs to navigate threats to social cohesion, declining trust in institutions, and the local impacts of broader national or global crises.
Deliverables
The working group's primary deliverable will be a practical guide that outlines the unique role city managers and CAOs can play in preventing hate and targeted violence and strengthening community resilience. The guide will provide actionable recommendations, promising practices, and tools to help city managers and CAOs mobilize and sustain whole-of-city approaches, strengthen trust and civility, and ensure cities are better prepared to respond to emerging challenges.
Following publication and presentation of the guide in 2027 at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, resources permitting, the working group will also support the piloting of at least five city manager/CAO-led prevention initiatives informed by the guide. These pilot efforts will help test and refine the resource while demonstrating how city managers and CAOs can translate its guidance into action within their cities.
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Fill out this form if you are interested in engaging with this working group. Suggested engagement includes becoming a member, promoting working group deliverables, and/or providing financial support.