Our news feeds are dominated by conflict and division, making it harder than ever to work with those we disagree with. Clive and his team at Touch of Hope have spent years helping to rebuild relationships between people once at war in the former Yugoslavia — and he now applies the same principles both there and here in the UK.

In Spite of Our Differences tells Clive’s journey from witnessing conflict to becoming a mediator who helps others bridge divides. It also shares the experiences of those who endured war and are now learning to live alongside their former enemies in Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This book is both a testimony and a challenge — inviting you to put reconciliation into practice in your own life, your community, and beyond.

Clive says: “I wanted to share the story of how ordinary people are empowered to work for reconciliation, to work across the boundaries. I shall never forget when I first went to Osijek and met the people in the Centre for Peace Non-Violence and Human Rights. They were so committed to working to end the violence and that made such an impact on me. “These people have gone through so much, but are actually talking about living together ‘in spite of our differences’ and I wanted to tell people about that. “But I wanted also to talk about my journey in terms of the difficulties I had with the church and my own feelings about being involved in the work. But, mainly, to put on record how people can change and move forward in the direst of circumstances.”

In Spite of our Differences, Healing the hurts of war by Revd Clive Fowle 

Can be obtained from

www.springview.uk

Price £11plus £1.40 postage

Spring View Publications

ISBN 978-1-7398659-6-2

Ebook ISBN 978-1-7398659-7-9

"I welcome this book for its wealth of stories and wisdom from people living and speaking in contexts of war and violence. Their experiences and words speak to our contemporary world and communities facing the challenges of living beside those who are different. The Bench we Share and Touch of Hope show the value of encouraging people to meet and talk with each other. The book outlines stories of hurt and hope, words and workshops that will support peacemakers in their own neighbourhoods and communities. It offers training for non-violence and respectful conversations."

Rev Inderjit Bhogal-past President of the Methodist Conference, former Director of the Corrymeela Community and recipient of the World Methodist Peace Award

"Praying for peace is fundamental for most people of faith, but few take an active part in working for it. Clive Fowle and his companions at Touch of Hoppe have taken the extra steps, alongside those who have experienced the horrors of war in the former Yugoslavia. This is Clive’s story, but it’s also the words of those who survived the hostilities and are learning to live with former enemies. It will challenge you to put the same principles into action wherever there is conflict,in your own life, local communities or further afield."

Candy Evans Spring View Publications.