About this Book

In the heart of a world torn by conflict, a quiet revolution is taking place. Across boardrooms and battlefields, from the corridors of power to the streets of embattled cities, a new approach to building peace is emerging - one conversation, one collaboration, one flicker of trust at a time.

In this groundbreaking book, Hoicka shares hard-won insights on the transformative power of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) - a potent and versatile toolkit for bridging divides, fostering cooperation, and paving the way for sustainable peace.

Drawing on a rich tapestry of case studies and practical guidance, from Cold War hotlines to modern-day community dialogues, Hoicka shows how these carefully calibrated gestures of goodwill - joint projects, cultural exchanges, information sharing protocols and more - can disrupt cycles of mistrust, reframe contentious issues, and open new space for empathy and problem-solving, even between the bitterest of enemies.

For leaders grappling with the tragic costs of the war in Ukraine, this book offers an urgent and timely message of hope. By illuminating the human faces behind the headlines, and the quiet acts of courage that can shift the course of history, Hoicka invites us to imagine a different future - one where the power of collaboration and creativity can triumph over the forces of division and destruction.

More than just an inventory of techniques, Confidence Building Measures is a clarion call for a new kind of leadership in an age of existential crisis - one grounded in patience and persistence, humility and empathy, and a relentless commitment to the hard work of stitching our tattered social fabric back together. Whether you are a diplomat or a CEO, a civil society activist or a concerned citizen, this book will equip you with the tools and inspiration to become a bridge-builder in your own sphere.

In a world that can feel irrevocably broken, Confidence Building Measures offers a powerful reminder that another way is possible - and a roadmap for getting there, one human connection at a time. If you believe that our interdependence is greater than our differences, and that the solutions to our gravest challenges lie in our collective imagination, then this book is your invitation to join the quiet revolution that could change everything. The journey begins with a single page - and the conviction that together, there is no divide too wide for us to cross.