Reduce Crime Together Project

ASEZ Crime Prevention Meeting hosted by the Ministry of Justice in Peru

The “Reduce Crime Together” project is an initiative led by ASEZ, the university student volunteer group of the Church of God. The project seeks to prevent crimes that threaten human dignity and sustainable development, and to lower crime rates within local communities.

As part of its efforts, ASEZ offers crime prevention education through its character-building program for youth, titled “RCT School (for a crime-free school).” In addition, the organization raises public awareness through forums, seminars, and campaigns focused on crime prevention. ASEZ also takes a hands-on approach by engaging in urban environmental improvement activities—such as cleaning and revitalizing city streets and university campuses—as a means of reducing crime through environmental design. To foster global awareness and participation, ASEZ promotes both online and offline “Reduce Crime Together” support signature campaigns. Furthermore, the organization continues to strengthen its impact by forming partnerships and collaborating with educational institutions, local and national governments, and international organizations to ensure sustainable cooperation in crime prevention.

ASEZ
Major Projects and Activities • SDGs Implementation Activities • Reduce Crime Activities • Climate Change Response Activities • Community Service Special Lecture • Jerome Glenn, Futurist • Duberlí Apolinar Rodríguez Tineo, Peruvian Supreme Court Justice • Sylvio Mário Puga Ferreira, Rector of the Federal University of Amazonas, Brazil, and Others • Bianca Dager Jervis, Ecuador’s Vice Minister of the Environment Global Cooperation • Forums/Conferences Global Forums for the Implementation of the SDGs UN Civil Society Conference Global ASEZ Summit • Supporting Signatures Campaign (Join) • Signing of MOUs / Advisory Committee Members Appointment Achievements ASEZ is an international volunteer organization consisting of university student members of the Church of God, active in 175 countries with more than 7,500 members worldwide.

Purpose of the Reduce Crime Together Project

Crime heightens anxiety in everyday life and can leave lasting trauma on victims and those around them, often resulting in lifelong suffering. Traditionally, crime-related policies have focused on responding after a crime has occurred. However, in recent years, the emphasis has shifted toward prevention—reducing the likelihood that individuals will commit crimes in the first place.

Unlike natural disasters, which are often beyond human control, most crimes are preventable. A study conducted in Scotland among incarcerated individuals identified key contributing factors to criminal behavior, including mental illness, substance and alcohol abuse, financial hardship, family conflict, and peer pressure. These personal and environmental factors can be mitigated through community support, education, and access to medical and social services.

ASEZ believes that because the root causes of crime lie within people and their surroundings, crime can be reduced when individuals and communities undergo positive change. Based on this belief, ASEZ implements the Reduce Crime Together Project, focusing on families, schools, and society at large. The initiative aims to eliminate both physical and emotional violence by raising awareness of crime prevention and carrying out environmental improvement activities. Through these efforts, ASEZ contributes not only to crime prevention but also to the creation of safer, more sustainable communities.

Crime Reduction Education

The Doha Declaration, adopted at the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, emphasizes that educating children and youth is essential for preventing crime and fostering the sustainable development of humanity. Research indicates that individuals with a higher tolerance for violence are more likely to commit violent crimes. In contrast, youth who have received crime prevention education exhibit lower tolerance for violence and reduced levels of aggression, underscoring the positive impact of early intervention and education.

RCT School (Crime Free School)

Crime reduction education held at Santa Maria del Bosque School in Madrid, Spain

ASEZ operates the “RCT School (Crime-Free School)” program, a character education initiative designed to help young people—future leaders of society—build a strong sense of identity, lead healthy lives, and grow into responsible citizens who actively contribute to crime prevention. The program is founded on six core values: honesty, responsibility, respect, consideration, communication, and cooperation. It covers key competencies such as self-management, communication, conflict resolution, and community-building skills. By 2021, the RCT School program had been conducted 21 times across six countries—including India, Mexico, the Philippines, Argentina, and Spain—with a total of 2,448 youth participants.

In July and August 2019, classes were held in Mumbai, Shillong, and Panaji, India, drawing over 600 participants, including children, youth, university students, and faculty members. ASEZ volunteers provided education on the definition of crime and the current global crime landscape, emphasizing that creating a crime-free world begins with individual transformation. In January 2020, during a session held in Puebla, Mexico, ASEZ facilitated a variety of interactive activities. One such activity involved participants creating personalized name cards—an exercise designed to help students reflect on their individual characteristics, express themselves confidently, and foster peer connection.

Crime Reduction Campaigns

ASEZ conducts a wide range of campaigns to encourage global citizens to take an active interest in and participate in crime prevention efforts. These campaigns are held both online and offline, addressing diverse themes tailored to current social issues and the unique circumstances of each region. As of November 2021, ASEZ had carried out 240 campaigns across 81 countries, engaging more than 22,100 participants worldwide.

Human Rights Day Campaign

ASEZ Human Rights Day Campaign 2023

In commemoration of Human Rights Day (December 10)—established by the United Nations—ASEZ holds “Human Rights Day Campaigns” in various countries to raise awareness about the definition and significance of both human rights and crime prevention, while encouraging active public engagement.

In 2018, ASEZ organized campaigns at 146 universities across 14 countries, including South Korea, the United States, the Republic of South Africa, and Ukraine. ASEZ members installed educational panels on their campuses and personally engaged with students, professors, faculty members, and local citizens. They explained the key principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and emphasized the meaning and importance of upholding human rights in daily life.

Human Rights Day seminar is held in Korea

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEZ expanded the scope of its human rights campaigns by incorporating online platforms. In December 2021, ASEZ launched a hybrid online and offline campaign titled “Everyone, Everywhere, Everyday” at 210 universities worldwide, under the theme “University Students at the Center of Human Rights Activities.”

Drawing from pre-campaign surveys, ASEZ members in various countries organized webinars to discuss human rights challenges both on and off campus, including the heightened vulnerabilities and violations experienced by marginalized groups during the pandemic. Human rights experts also participated, offering professional insights and guidance.

Notable speakers included Professor Joseph Berra, Human Rights in Americas Project Director at the Promise Institute for Human Rights, UCLA School of Law (USA); Professor Jang-hee Lee, Department of Law, Changwon National University (South Korea); and local government officials. These experts delivered lectures on the definition of human rights, the importance of human rights advocacy, and the critical role of university students in promoting and protecting human rights.

In tandem with these events, ASEZ hosted an online human rights seminar at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple in South Korea. The seminar addressed a broad range of topics, including the role of students in combating human rights violations on campus and identifying areas in human rights legislation in need of reform.

Verbal Abuse Prevention Campaign

“Happy Words” card news from ASEZ’s verbal abuse prevention campaign

Each year on October 2, in observance of the International Day of Non-Violence, ASEZ runs a verbal abuse prevention campaign to raise awareness of the seriousness of verbal abuse and to promote healthier language habits in everyday life. To enhance awareness, ASEZ creates and shares card news, and during the campaign period, encourages the use of positive, respectful, and encouraging words.

In 2020, under the theme “Words Are More Powerful Than a Sword,” the campaign was carried out while adhering to each country’s COVID-19 safety protocols. From October 2 to 11, it reached 13,459 participants in 81 countries. The 2021 “Happy Words” Campaign included: 1. Collecting support signatures for preventing verbal abuse, 2. Sharing card news and videos emphasizing the importance of using positive language, 3. Completing a “language bingo board” with 25 encouraging words. Over the course of October, the campaign drew 23,370 participants. Participants shared that they practiced daily gratitude, self-affirmation, and verbalizing their dreams once a day, which helped foster positive thinking and appreciation.

• “Happy Words” Campaign videos included titles such as:

① "IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, BUT I CAN'T SEE IT."

② "Legendary Boxer Muhammad Ali"

③ "Pygmalion Effect"

Traffic Safety Campaign

Adhering to traffic laws and public order is a crucial first step toward protecting the lives and safety of others, and it plays a role in cultivating a spirit of lawfulness and social morality, which in turn helps prevent larger crimes.

In January 2019, ASEZ partnered with the Raipur City Traffic Police Department in India to conduct a Traffic Safety Campaign along a 2-kilometer stretch from Telibandha Chowk to Ghadi Chowk. According to Indian government statistics, 17 people die every hour in traffic accidents in India. In Raipur, the importance of this campaign was especially significant, as the city had designated a special “Traffic Week” to raise public awareness of traffic issues. At the time, the campaign was conducted by about 50 ASEZ members, who explained the importance of obeying traffic rules and protecting pedestrians to drivers and citizens, and assisted with stopping vehicles at crosswalks.

The Head of the Raipur Traffic Police Department expressed anticipation, saying that ASEZ’s activities would inspire Indian youth and provide a good opportunity for them to learn understanding and consideration for others. He also pledged full support for ASEZ’s awareness-raising efforts and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Environmental Improvement

Mural painting in San Bernardo, Santiago, Chile

Physical conditions, such as residential environments, have a significant impact on criminal behavior. A representative theory supporting this is the “Broken Windows Theory.” In New York during the 1980s and 1990s, based on this theory, authorities succeeded in reducing crime rates by improving the subway environment, which had been considered a hotbed of serious crime.

Following this premise—that crime rates can decrease when environments improve—many countries and cities are paying attention to Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which promotes crime prevention through local environment enhancement and architectural design.

In line with this global trend, ASEZ has been carrying out environmental improvement activities aimed at preventing crime by brightening dark areas that could potentially become high-crime zones. They work to beautify urban areas by painting murals, collecting trash, and removing weeds, thus creating a safe and peaceful city atmosphere. ASEZ’s environmental improvement activities were carried out 928 times in 38 countries, including Korea, the Philippines, the U.K., and Peru, as of November 2021, and more than 40,000 people participated.

Planting chrysanthemums in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea

In Seoul, ASEZ cleaned a 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch around Hyehwa-dong and Daehak-ro in Jongno-gu, collecting enough trash to fill ten 100-liter garbage bags. In cooperation with the Hyehwa-dong Community Service Center, they participated in rearranging pots, pulling weeds, plowing the soil, and planting chrysanthemums.

Removing graffiti on José de Diego Street in San Juan, Puerto Rico

In the Bronx, New York, around 50 members gathered to clean up Park Avenue, picking up trash and pulling out weeds. New York State Assembly Member Chantel Jackson said, “It’s important that you show interest in the community through your street-cleaning efforts. I hope the local residents, seeing your volunteer work, will be inspired to join you.”

In Puerto Rico, in collaboration with the Police Department and the San Juan City Council, 160 members took part in a graffiti removal project at Paseo de Diego shopping center. San Juan Mayor Miguel Romero praised the ASEZ university students, saying, “I commend ASEZ for taking the lead in crime prevention in Puerto Rico and setting a good example. The future begins here.”

Mural painting at Trapeang Svay Primary School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Mural painting and street cleaning were also conducted in Pune (India), Santiago (Chile), Cajamarca (Peru), and Valenzuela (Philippines). In Cambodia, Yeon-woo Park, a volunteer who participated in the mural painting, shared, “Many people stopped to admire the mural, and one person even laid out a mat nearby to sit and appreciate it. Local children circled the mural with sparkling eyes. I was grateful to know that our small volunteer effort could bring happiness and comfort to people’s hearts.”

“	“You are making significant contributions to safety through your practical activities . . . Not only do you clean the environment, but you are also creating a culture by removing graffiti that contributes to crime. . . . This is a much more effective method of ensuring safety than forceful repression policies. The messages of participation delivered by ASEZ members will become a better indicator of public security.”	“
— Jose Manuel de la Fuente, Minister of Security of La Rioja, Argentina

Forums and Seminars

ASEZ Crime Prevention Seminar at National Pedagogical Dragomanov University, Ukraine

ASEZ holds forums and seminars to raise global awareness about crime prevention and to promote broad, practical initiatives in collaboration with local communities. Seminars have been held at institutions such as Inje University (Korea), Hudson County Community College (U.S.), UES University (Ecuador), and Mumbai University (India), helping inspire university students to become more conscious of crime prevention. As of November 2021, ASEZ had hosted 19 seminars across five countries.

In January 2020, crime prevention seminars were held at Kyiv University and National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Ukraine. Following the events, vice presidents of both universities were appointed as ASEZ advisory committee members. Viktor Ihor Heorhiyovych, Vice President of Dragomanov University, referred to ASEZ’s UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights campaign on campus and stated, “Crime prevention is an extension of human rights protection,” expressing hopes for continued ASEZ activity within the university. Petro Oleksiyovych Bekh, Vice President of Kyiv University, also expressed his support for ASEZ’s initiatives.

In October, Argentina hosted an online seminar titled “Preventing Domestic Violence.” More than 200 participants joined, including ASEZ members, deputies, local government officials, and citizens. Attorney Marise Silva, head of a domestic violence victim support organization, gave a keynote speech emphasizing the importance of eradicating verbal abuse at home as a foundation for creating a society free from verbal violence.

ASEZ Future Leaders Forum: Newport News, Virginia, U.S.

In April 2019, the ASEZ Future Leaders Forum was held in Newport News, Virginia, the United States. The event aimed to nurture university students into future leaders for crime prevention and explore ways to encourage civic engagement. Approximately 90 attendees—including city police officials, ASEZ members, and local citizens—gathered to discuss how to build a safe, crime-free community. Speakers included the Newport News Police Chief, a professor from Norfolk State University, and a local law firm attorney, who all emphasized the value of education and participation in preventing crime.

Sheriff Gabriel Morgan remarked: “I sensed a genuine desire for change. ASEZ has a clear understanding of urgent societal issues, and that fueled my own passion.” Participants pledged their support for ASEZ’s initiatives through support signatures.

In January of the same year, a seminar was held at the Meghalaya University of Science and Technology in India, attended by around 60 participants including the vice-chancellors, professors, students, and ASEZ members. During the seminar, ASEZ emphasized the idea that “crime is not just someone else’s problem—it’s our shared responsibility,” highlighting the importance of individual change as a solution to crime prevention.

• Global ASEZ Summit

Global ASEZ Summit 2019

On July 15, 2019, the Global ASEZ Summit 2019 was held at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple, under the theme: “A Quantum Leap for Change Towards Zero Crime.” Over 2,500 participants—including university students, professors, and journalists from 42 countries—attended the summit. Congratulatory messages from distinguished figures and experts across the world, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico, were also delivered in support of the event.

During Part 1: Expert Lectures, Rector Viktor Andrushchenko of National Pedagogical Dragomanov University in Ukraine emphasized the vital role of universities in overcoming crime through education and enlightenment. He expressed his hope that university students would serve as a breakthrough force for the future. In Part 2: Student Leaders’ Summit, students presented reports on major crime trends by continent and proposed joint activities in response. After about 90 minutes of discussion, the participants identified collaborative tasks to be carried out across six continents for crime prevention. The resolution adopted on that day contains specific action plans in three areas: education, action, and solidarity.

The theme of the Global ASEZ Summit 2023, which was held at the New Jerusalem Pangyo Temple on July 6, 2023, was “Driving Force for Strong Solidarity: Toward Sustainability.” More than 1,500 participants attended, including ASEZ members from 500 universities in 40 countries, and notable figures such as Jong-gil Park, former Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of South Korea. The program consisted of online and offline lectures by domestic and foreign figures such as Jose Williams Zapata, President of the Congress of Peru, and panel discussions with representatives of ASEZ members by continent. Attendees explored a variety of action plans for the sustainable future of the planet and humanity, such as crime prevention education integrated with Project-Based Learning (PBL). The summit concluded with the adoption and announcement of the “U500 Joint Declaration,” which outlined implementation strategies across three domains: Awareness, Action (Practice), and Partnership.

Building Partnerships

ASEZ Introducing “Reduce Crime Together” at the Philippine National Police Headquarters

Governments, schools, and institutions around the world that have observed ASEZ’s “Reduce Crime Together” project have expressed support through signed statements and MOUs, thereby establishing official partnerships with ASEZ.

ASEZ attends the 68th UN Civil Society Conference

In January 2019, ASEZ Philippines presented the “Reduce Crime Together” project to high-ranking officials at the Philippine National Police Headquarters, including the Undersecretary of National Defense and the Chief of Police. The authorities praised the Church of God and ASEZ, referring to them as a “noble organization,” and expressed expectations for a strong partnership in crime prevention. They also requested ASEZ’s cooperation in providing educational programs for both law enforcement personnel and prison inmates.

That same month, ASEZ visited the Ministry of Justice in Peru to attend a crime prevention meeting with the Minister of Justice, Vice Ministers, and other key officials. ASEZ introduced its global activities and presented the “Reduce Crime Together” initiative. Discussions focused on avenues for future cooperation. Minister Vicente Antonio Zeballos Salinas commented, “It’s impressive that ASEZ carries out the initiative based on a mother’s love and does not blame adults for the issues but rather focuses on motivation and direct student involvement. I am very pleased and thankful for ASEZ’s efforts.”

In August 2019, ASEZ was invited to participate in the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference, the UN’s largest platform for civil society engagement. Held annually, the conference brings together representatives from over 700 organizations in more than 100 countries to discuss global issues such as climate change, human rights, and volunteerism. The 2019 theme was “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities.” Under the theme “Youth Innovation and Volunteerism,” ASEZ emphasized the crucial role of young adults in global development, as called for by the international community.

Following the conference, ASEZ signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with the United Nations Association of Utah and the Lowell Bennion Community Center at the University of Utah, both of which pledged support for the “Reduce Crime Together” project.

In Brazil, the Manaus City Council and Nova Iguaçu Municipality also signed MOUs with ASEZ to foster ongoing collaboration in crime prevention. As of November 2021, a total of 19,658 individuals, including representatives from national and local governments, international organizations, university presidents, and professors, had signed in support of ASEZ’s crime prevention initiatives.

Awards

Declaration by a New York State Assemblymember, U.S.

ASEZ received certificate of appreciation from local governments in India, the Philippines, and South Africa in recognition of their contributions to crime prevention through the “Reduce Crime Together” project. In the United States, ASEZ members’ efforts were commemorated with declarations and resolutions. The Principal of Malanday National High School in Valenzuela, the Philippines, also awarded a certificate of appreciation, expressing gratitude for ASEZ’s efforts to build a crime-free school.

• Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor of Mumbai, India(2020)
• Declaration from a New York State Assemblymember, U.S.(2019)
• Certificate of Appreciation from the Principal of Malanday National High School in Valenzuela, Philippines(2019)
• Resolution of Baltimore City Council, U.S.(2019)
• Certificate of Appreciation from the Councilor of Cape Town, South Africa(2019)
• Certificate of Appreciation from the Mayor of Las Piñas, Philippines(2018)

External links

• ASEZ Official Website
• ASEZ Official Youtube Channel

See also

• ASEZ (The Church of God University Student Volunteer Group)

Related videos

• ASEZ Reduce Crime Together CampaignⅡ

• Global ASEZ Summit 2024

• ASEZ CRIME FREE STREET

References

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