One of the workshops held at the Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and Treatment of Offenders will focus on this topic; this background paper discusses some of the issues to be raised in that forum. The prevention of violent crime requires an understanding of its characteristics, the characteristics of its victims, factors contributing to violent crime, and the consequences of violent crime. Some current, successful crime prevention efforts are described here. Future efforts will have a better chance of success if the members of the international community are firmly committed to them and if the tools and instruments necessary for a scientific approach to crime prevention are secured. Examples of international cooperation and United Nations-initiated efforts in crime prevention and control are presented. 1 appendix