The author advises that the complexity of youth gun violence regarding its causes and the variety of forms it takes in divergent countries and regions means that no simple or single approach is going to provide sustainable solutions. Although international conventions and protocols must continue to be enforced to help reduce the supply of small arms, much more needs to be done in order to reduce the demand for small arms among young men. Internationally there is an emerging consensus that the most effective and sustained response to youth violence is a balanced and strategic prevention approach. This includes strengthening local communities, changing attitudes toward gun use, offering alternatives to youth, and reducing opportunities for accessing guns, as well as working with youth who are already immersed in a violent gun culture. The effort requires a multidisciplinary approach through a broad and comprehensive coalition of partners at the local level, grounded in a broad public health and community safety perspective. Although the causes of youth violence are similar across cultures and countries, strategies and interventions must be tailored to the contexts in different countries and regions. There is also a consensus regarding youth violence and offending in general that it is better for policies and programs to invest in and support youth and their families. Gender, ethnicity, and cultural backgrounds of youth should be taken into account in the planning and development of policies and programs. A review of a number of countries’ experience in youth violence shows that this requires a range of interventions. These include early intervention, conflict-resolution training, cross-cultural training, and gender-related projects. 33 references