A Resource for Innovators
Cynthia Sampson, Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Claudia Liebler, Diana Whitney. Pact Publications (2003), ISBN 1-888753-25-0, Paperback (420 pages), $24.95
This book is an outgrowth of a pioneering conference held at American University in Washington, DC, in the immediate aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the US. Attempting to feed a yearning for something new: something that stands apart, bringing a distinctive new element to the peacebuilding mix. The articles contained herein posit that a positive vision . . . an image of a better future that can draw people’s sights toward a new horizon, stir people’s energy, and give impulse to new action is a necessary prerequisite to the creation of a peaceful future.
Specifically, this book offers examples of the best of our peacebuilding practices to date, leading readers then to extrapolate from these designs for new systems, structures and organizations that will foster the kind of world we most wish to inhabit.
Table of Contents:
Part I: Origins and Encounters
1. Toward the Theory and Practice of Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding
2. Appreciative Inquiry in Organizations and International Development: An Invitation to Share and Learn Across Fields
3. Appreciative Inquiry in Peacebuilding: Imagining the Possible
Part II: Toward Cultures of Peace
4. Peace Culture for Today and Tomorrow
5. Creating a Culture of Peace in Postwar El Salvador
6. The Wow Factor and a Non-Theory of Change
7. Creative Co-Existence in Muslim Spain as a Model for Positive Peace
Part III: Social Transformation
8. Proventive Peacebuilding in the Republic of Guinea: Building Peace by Cultivating the Positives
9. Imagine Nagaland: The Courage to be Positive
10. Toward the Theory and Practice of Appreciative Inquiry in Complex Peacebuilding and Development Contexts
Part IV: Conflict Resolution
11. Initiatives of Change
12. Engage Conflict Well: A Model for Transforming Conflict in the United Methodist Church
13. Appreciative Inquiry as a Tool for Conflict Resolution
Part V Healing and Reconciliation
14. The Bread and Wine on the Front Lines Between Gay and Evangelical Christians
15. Rewriting Narratives in the New South Africa: A Story of Reconciliation
16. Transcendence: Discovering Resources for Posttraumatic Healing and Growth
17. The Positive Power of Voice in Peacebuilding
18. Journey of Healing
Part VI: Designing Organizations for Peacebuilding
19. The United Religions Initiative and Appreciative Inquiry: An Evolving partnership
20. Words Create Worlds: Articulating a Vision for Peacebuilding in Catholic Relief Services
In Praise of Positive Approaches to Peacebuilding:
This book powerfully delivers what it promises – a provocation to think more deeply about how we conduct our peacemaking and peacebuilding relationships. At a minimum, it dissatisfies us with our inabilities to ask questions that change relationships. At a maximum, it challenges us to ask whether we could not work differently altogether. For those who dare to read, the impact will last a lifetime.
Dr. Harold H. Saunders
International Institute for Sustained Dialogue and
Former Secretary of State
This book presents an innovative perspective on peacebuilding that breaks new ground while maintaining strong roots and relationships in tradition.
Ambassador John McDonald
Institute for Multi-Track diplomacy
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