Dare We Hope?—Building Lasting Peace: A Swiss Ambassador’s Insight

Bridge of Mostar. (Photo: Unsplash)

The world is at a breaking point. Wars spread, mistrust deepens, and cooperation falters. Yet giving in to despair is not an option. Hope is not naïve—it is a responsibility. After decades at the negotiating table, I believe we can still chart a path toward peace if we equip ourselves with vision, courage, and the right instruments.

Four Decades on the Frontlines of Diplomacy

After more than four decades in international diplomacy, I have lived through wars, negotiations, fragile truces, and moments of reconciliation. I have seen both the worst of human conflict and the quiet power of dialogue. These experiences gave rise to my new book: Dare We Hope? – Building Lasting Peace: A Swiss Ambassador’s Insight.

Not a Memoir, but a Guide

This book is not a personal memoir. It is a guide for anyone who wants to understand how peace can be built in an age of confrontation. At its heart lies the conviction that governance, like navigation, requires both vision and instruments. That is why I present what I call the Global Governance Toolkit—a set of conceptual instruments forged in practice, designed to help leaders, diplomats, and citizens find their bearings in a turbulent world.

Lessons Forged in Practice

The toolkit includes ways to identify deeper forces, map stakeholders, and craft integrative solutions. It draws from history, from the United Nations Charter, and from concrete negotiations I was part of—from the Balkans to South Asia, from Geneva to Ankara. My aim is to share lessons learned not as abstract theory but as practical wisdom.

The Bridge That Speaks

The cover image tells its own story. The old bridge of Mostar, destroyed during the Bosnian war in 1993, was rebuilt a decade later with local and international support. It stands today as a monument of reconciliation—a reminder that even after deliberate acts of destruction, trust and coexistence can be restored. This message is at the very core of Dare We Hope?.

Why Now?

Why publish this book now? Because the world is once again at a crossroads. Wars are spreading, multilateral cooperation is weakening, and mistrust between global powers is growing. Yet I believe that hope is not naïve. It is an act of responsibility. To dare hope is to refuse resignation. It means asking: what steps, what processes, what visions can bring us closer to peace?

An Invitation

I invite you to explore this book not only as a reflection on the past but as a resource for the future. Whether you are a student, a policymaker, or a concerned citizen, my hope is that these insights will help you think more clearly, act more wisely, and believe that cooperation is still possible.

Dare We Hope? is now available. I warmly welcome you to join me in this conversation, share your reflections, and continue the work of building peace together.