Preventing genocide: Activating bystanders, helping victims, and the creation of caring.

Passivity by nations and the community of nations in the face of violence against ethnic, religious, racial, or political groups within a country makes increasing violence, mass killing, and genocide more likely. Nations and the community of nations can serve important roles by several kinds of actions required to prevent genocidal violence: stopping perpetrators, mostly by early nonviolent reactions and sanctions; efforts to heal longstanding antagonism between groups; efforts to help victimized groups heal, which makes it less likely that they will become perpetrators; and nation building. Institutions must be created to promote such actions. Creating genuine connections between members of groups and raising inclusively caring children are other important avenues for the prevention of genocidal violence.