Promoting sustainable peace in Africa, and how that affects America

Tim Sample is an Arlington resident and CEO and Co-Founder of 72 Africa, a non-profit organization committed to conflict resolution and promoting peace in Africa.  It’s becoming increasingly clear that reacting to major threats around the world after they emerge is not a sustainable strategy.  For example, as of June 2015, the United States was spending $9 million per day fighting ISIS, yet the State Department spends only $5.75 million per year on civil-society-led CVE (countering violent extremism) initiatives across the entire globe.  We are experts at waging war, yet not so good at waging peace.  72 Africa is developing and implementing preventative programs designed to head off the growing influence of groups like ISIS and Boko Haram before they pose a threat to Africa and the United States.