'Peacebuilders are frequently urged to engage local actors in their efforts, but advice on how to do so in a politically and culturally sensitive way is in short supply. Susan Allen has helped us fill this gap. Her powerful study of the hostile inter-ethnic fight between Georgians and South Ossetians provides concrete examples of how individuals have worked for peace in their communities, while her broader framework illuminates important lessons for all third parties on how to support individual peacemakers. Interactive Peacemaking: A People-Centered Approach provides a clear roadmap for both policymakers and practitioners and will be a valuable resource for all those working for peace in contested societies.'
Pamela Aall, Senior Advisor for Conflict Prevention and Management, US Institute of Peace
'Interactive Peacemaking reaffirms the rightful place reflective practice and practitioners have always occupied in peace and conflict research since its founding. It cogently demonstrates the essential roles of deep self-reflection, perseverance, and teamwork in research innovation.'
Tatsushi Arai, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies, Kent State University, USA
'Bravo to Susan Allen for providing an extraordinary insight into the inner workings of a Track 2 process from the point of view of participants, and demonstrating how practice creates theory! These are significant and unique contributions to our understanding of peacemaking.'
Eileen Babbitt, Professor of Practice, Fletcher School, Tufts University, USA
‘Read this book and you will encounter a world of possibilities. Peace is made by many and it invites creativity and persistence. Indeed, as Susan Allen convincingly writes, both individuals and groups make peace. Yet in the end it is also peace that "makes" them who they are.’
Andrea Bartoli, President, Sant’Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue
'Based on three decades as a scholar-practitioner with in-depth experience of the South Caucasus Susan Allen’s Interactive Peacemaking: A People-Centered Approach unravels the nuance of peacemaking in a lucid and personal way. This rich and insightful book never loses sight of the people who make peace possible.'
Jonathan Cohen, Executive Director, Conciliation Resources
'Susan Allen has fashioned a significant scholarly and practical work on people-centered peacemaking in an under-studied area of the world. Without losing sight of global forces, she centers the work of everyday people as they make peace after war in their local communities.'
Cheryl Duckworth, Nova Southeastern University, USA
'Interactive Peacemaking provides a unique exposition of innovative thinking in unofficial conflict resolution that is the culmination of years of reflective, professional work. It should sit on the shelf of every conflict resolution scholar and lay open on the desk of every practitioner.'
Ronald J. Fisher, Professor Emeritus of International Peace and Conflict Resolution, American University, USA
'Theories of peacemaking come alive in vibrant stories of people bridging across bloody divides. It’s a thorough textbook and gripping reader, probing a long-term peace process Allen facilitated and illuminating multiple others she collaborated on in the US and other countries.'
Paula Garb, Center for Citizen Peacebuilding, University of California, Irvine, USA
'Interactive Peacemaking is packed with the sort of insights that come from long and deep engagement in conflict-affected contexts. Scholar-practitioner Susan Allen brings together the latest thinking from academia with profound observations from her long-standing peace work in multiple contexts. This is an optimistic book and is highly recommended.'
Roger Mac Ginty, Durham University, UK
'Stories and insights pour out of every page. The core narrative, that the voices of people in conflict must be central to crafting their peace, changes everything. It is trademark Susan Allen, heartfully weaving theory and practice to show us how.'
Susan Collin Marks, Peace Ambassador, Search for Common Ground
'In this groundbreaking book, Susan Allen builds on 13 years of engagement with local peacemakers in the Georgian-Ossetian conflict to develop a theory of interactive peacemaking. Remarkably, she draws our attention away from big headlines to the noteworthy efforts of women and men that bridge across conflict divides.'
Cécile Mouly, Research Professor, FLACSO Ecuador
'Susan Allen shines a much-needed light on how people-centered peacemaking processes work outside of the limelight, confront challenges and persist with creativity and courage. Interactive Peacemaking: A People-Centered Approach is an important contribution to the field of peace and conflict resolution written by an expert scholar-practitioner.'
Reina Neufeldt, Chair, Peace and Conflict Studies, Conrad Grebel University College, Canada
'Allen continues the distinguished tradition of scholar-practitioner peacemakers, including the late great Hal Saunders, who long convened the U.S.-Russian/Soviet Dartmouth Conference. Regional specialists will find fascinating insights into the Georgian conflicts. Peacemaking students will find valuable practical lessons.'
Matthew Rojansky, Director, Wilson Center's Kennan Institute and US Executive Secretary, Dartmouth Conference
'This is a timely publication, as the world watches the Russia–Ukraine conflict unfold and peace appears elusive. Allen’s lessons can serve as an introduction for future peacemaking that puts people at the centre.... An optimist always willing to acknowledge her flaws, the author is an excellent role model for young professionals and practitioners who are contemplating similar careers as peacemakers. The book will be useful for readers interested in peacemaking in the region.'
Barbare Okropiridze, International Affairs, January 2023
