NGOs and Mediation

Peacemaking is a human duty, individually bestowed on us by virtue of being human. NGOs provide one of the organizational frames through which we do peacemaking. NGOs have experimented with peacemaking in several ways and often become the cradle of innovative and relevant experiences. From Adam Curle’s (Curle 1986; Curle and Elworthy 1995) work in Biafra to John Burton’s efforts in troubled Cyprus, some of the best conflict resolution theoreticians have gained practical experience and explored the potential of peacemaking through NGOs. It is not by accident that Johan Galtung founded Transcend,1 that Ambassador John McDonald launched the Institute for Multi-Track Diplomacy,2 or that Harold Saunders worked with the Kettering Foundation3 for many years. In order to sustain dialogue, institutional settings like these are necessary, as an NGO may provide the most suitable climate for work that involves official and unofficial actors but requires perseverance, continuity, and cumulative results (Saunders 1999). Saunders, a former diplomat, describes his major project, The Institute for Sustained Dialogue, as a “systematic process for political, social, and economic change. Its distinguishing characteristic is that it focuses on transforming the relationships that block collaboration. Sustained Dialogue is best suited to those situations not ready for formal mediation and negotiation; it is so, because it addresses the strained relationships that prevent people from talking in the reasoned ways mediation and negotiation require” (Saunders 2005).

In a world where conflict is never ending, this thoughtful compilation fosters a new appreciation of the art of peacemaking as it is understood and practiced in a variety of contemporary settings.

Whenever we seek to understand others, build healthy relationships, soothe discord, right wrongs, or nurture respect, we are making peace. Whatever the situation, peacemaking is about learning—learning the other; learning the issue; learning the future; learning to co-create a new, shared reality. The more we know about how peace is made, the better equipped we are to help peace prevail.

Peacemaking: From Practice to Theory is about seeing, knowing, and learning peacemaking as it exists in the real world. Built on the premise that peacemaking is among the most elemental of human experiences, this seminal work emphasizes the importance of practice and lived experiences in understanding the process and learning what works to nurture peace.

To appropriately reflect the diversity of peacemaking practices, challenges, and innovations, these two volumes bring together many authors and viewpoints. The first volume consists of two sections: "Peacemaking in Practice" and "Towards an Inclusive Peacemaking;" the second of two additional sections: "New Directions in Peacemaking" and "Interpreting Peacemaking." As the title states, the work moves peacemaking beyond mere theory, showcasing peacemaking efforts produced, recorded, recognized, and understood by a variety of individuals and institutions. In doing so, it refocuses the study of peacemaking and guides readers to a systematic understanding and appreciation of the practices of peacemakers around the globe.

Features
• Contributions from an international, interdisciplinary team of 48 experts who bring together insights from peace and conflict resolution studies, anthropology, sociology, law, cultural studies, and political science
• First-person narratives detailing the experiences of prominent peacemakers
• Offers access to an ongoing, Internet-based, practice-to-theory project
• An extensive bibliography of resources about peacemaking and related fields

Highlights
• Recognizes and promotes peacemaking as an empirical, shared human experience
• Proposes a practice-to-theory movement for facilitating peacemaking, linking academic research with practice across disciplines
• Draws on insights from multiple religious and philosophical traditions
• Enriches the reader's understanding of the evolving international system