La très catastrophique visite du zoo

Joël Dicker

Description

A Groundbreaking Guide to Building the City of Peace from the City of War

We live in a City of War, with constant stress and conflict. "City of Peace: Mediation, Prosperity and Happiness" — Building bridges in a fragmented world, presents a revolutionary yet practical approach to humanity's oldest challenge: how to transform conflict into cooperation. In an era of increasing polarization, David Hoicka, one of the Principal Mediators in neutal Singapore, offers a roadmap from the City of War — where difference means danger and conflict requires enemies — to the City of Peace, where diversity strengthens communities and former adversaries become partners in problem-solving.

This timely and important book synthesizes decades of mediation practice with compelling stories of transformation from around the globe. Hoicka demonstrates how mediation's principles work at every scale, from local disputes to international peace processes, from family conflicts to political polarization. The result is both a philosophical framework and a practical toolkit for anyone seeking alternatives to the destructive cycles of attack and revenge that characterize our current moment.

Drawing on diverse wisdom traditions and modern conflict resolution science, "City of Peace" shows how creating sanctuary spaces enables truth-telling, how exploring interests beneath positions reveals unexpected common ground, and how skilled facilitation can transform even the deepest hostilities into collaborative relationships. The book's power lies in its combination of emotional depth and practical application, moving seamlessly from the story of Argentine mothers mediating with their children's killers to specific techniques readers can apply in their own conflicts.

Structured in four comprehensive parts, the book first diagnoses how we became so fragmented and introduces the mediator's mindset that sees beyond current divisions. Next are core bridge-building tools including transformative dialogue techniques, reconciliation processes, and collaborative problem-solving methods. Next demonstrates these tools applied at scale in communities, politics, and digital spaces. Then explores how to create sustainable cultures of peace through education, media transformation, and institutional change.

What sets "City of Peace" apart is its insistence that peace-building isn't for saints or specialists but for ordinary people making extraordinary choices. Every reader — whether a CEO dealing with departmental conflicts, a teacher managing classroom disputes, a politician seeking to bridge partisan divides, or a parent mediating between children — will find immediately applicable techniques. The book includes detailed case studies from Northern Ireland's peace process, Rwanda's post-genocide reconciliation, Tunisia's democratic transition, and innovative community programs worldwide.

Hoicka writes with the authority of extensive mediation experience but the humility of someone who knows that building peace is ongoing work requiring constant learning. His prose is accessible without sacrificing details, speaking to both general readers and conflict resolution professionals. Each chapter includes practical applications and reflective questions that help readers integrate learning into action.

"City of Peace" arrives as humanity faces existential challenges requiring unprecedented cooperation. Pollution remediation, global crises, economic inequality, and technological disruption all demand that we transcend traditional divisions. This book provides not just hope but proven methodology for building the collaborative capacity our species needs to survive and thrive.

For anyone who has ever wondered if there's a better way to handle human differences — for anyone tired of living in the City of War — this book offers both vision and tools for building something better.

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