Among the unwelcome legacies of the past century are a group of conflicts, both intrastate and interstate, that seem destined never to end. From Kashmir to Nagorno-Karabakh, Colombia to Sudan, the Korean Peninsula to the Middle East, these deeply entrenched, intermittently violent conflicts have so far resisted all outside efforts to resolve them.What lessons aside from the apparent futility of mediation can such dismal situations possibly offer? As the distinguished contributors to "Grasping the Nettle" make plain, this is not a rhetorical question. Unyielding conflicts offer numerous insights not only about the sources of intractability but also about such facets of mediation and conflict management as how to gain leverage, when to engage and disengage, how to balance competing goals, and who to enlist to play supporting roles.The first part of this eye-opening volume identifies and analyzes the defining characteristics and underlying dynamics of intractable conflicts. The second part turns the spotlight on no fewer than eight current cases, in each instance chronicling the conflict's evolution, evaluating the internal and external factors that have conspired to prevent a settlement, and assessing whether past peacemaking initiatives have in fact only aggravated the conflict. The conclusion makes the point that even intractable conflicts eventually end and highlights the strategic approaches and tactical steps that have yielded success in the past for mediators and conflict managers from governments, international organizations, and NGOs."

The expert guide to biodynamic farming and gardening. In this revised and updated edition of Grasp the Nettle Peter Proctor tells the reader how to apply biodynamic methods of farming and gardening to a wide range of conditions in New Zealand and in other countries. The book provides practical observations and techniques, and relates these to the spiritual scientific knowlege upon which that biodynamic practice is based. Peter gives tips on how to recognise healthy soil and pasture, and on how to make your own biodynamic preparations. He also gives examples of farms that are successfully using biodynamic methods. This book aims to assist biodynamic farmers and gardeners to observe the processes of life and growth, and to understand how these processes are governed by cosmic forces, so they can use this knowlege in applying their practical skills. Peter Proctor, past national field advisor for the NZ Bio Dynamic Farming and Gardening Association, now teaches and advises farmers on biodynamic methods around the world.

Some conflicts seem to defy resolution. Marked by longevity, recurrent violence, and militant agendas, these intractable conflicts refuse to be settled either on the battlefield or at the negotiating table. The longer they fester, the stronger the international community's inclination to lose heart and to turn away. But, explain the authors of this provocative volume, effective mediation in intractable conflicts is possible if the mediator knows what to do and when to do it.Written from the mediator's point of view, "Taming Intractable Conflicts" lays out the steps involved in tackling the most stubborn of conflicts. It first puts mediation in a larger context, exploring why mediators choose or decline to become involved, what happens when they get involved for the wrong reasons, and the impact of the mediator's institutional and political environment. It then discusses best mediation tradecraft at different stages: at the beginning of the engagement, when the going gets very rough, during the settlement negotiations, and in the post-settlement implementation stage.Forceful, concise, and highly readable, "Taming Intractable Conflicts" serves not only as a hands on guide for would-be mediators but also as a powerful argument for students of conflict management that intractable conflicts are not beyond the reach of mediation."

IT SEEMED A MOST UNLIKELY MATCH When Jenny gave up her nursing job to look after her aunt, she saw it as no sacrifice. The only difficulty was her aunt’s doctor, the imposing Eduard van Draak te Solendik. Eduard managed to be both attractive and infuriating at the same time. Unfortunately for Jenny, the attraction won and soon she was falling in love with him. Much good it would do her, though, since Eduard was engaged to be married. But luckily for them both, he seemed to have some alternate wedding plans.

What exactly is happiness? Can we measure it? Why are some people happy and others not? And is there a drug that could eliminate all unhappiness? People all over the world, and throughout the ages, have thought about happiness, argued about its nature, and, most of all, desired it. But why do we have such a strong instinct to pursue happiness? And if happiness is good in itself, why haven't we simply evolved to be happier? Daniel Nettle uses the results of the latest psychological studies to ask what makes people happy and unhappy, what happiness really is, and to examine our urge to achieve it. Along the way we look at brain systems, at mind-altering drugs, and how happiness is now marketed to us as a commodity. Nettle concludes that while it may be unrealistic to expect lasting happiness, our evolved tendency to seek happiness drives us to achieve much that is worthwhile in itself. What is more, it seems to be not your particular circumstances that define whether you are happy so much as your attitude towards life. Happiness gives us the latest scientific insights into the nature of our feelings of well-being, and what these imply for how we might live our lives.

"Evolution and Genetics for Psychology explains how to think in evolutionary terms, and shows how to apply this thinking to any subject. With the principles in place, it goes on to show how they are applied to issues of human behaviour, from sex to social relationships, to learning." --Book Jacket.

How belief in a loving and sovereign God helps us to make sense of and cope with the coronavirus outbreak. We are living through a unique, era-defining period. Many of our old certainties have gone, whatever our view of the world and whatever our beliefs. The coronavirus pandemic and its effects are perplexing and unsettling for all of us. How do we begin to think it through and cope with it? In this short yet profound book, Oxford mathematics professor John Lennox examines the coronavirus in light of various belief systems and shows how the Christian worldview not only helps us to make sense of it, but also offers us a sure and certain hope to cling to.

A step by step guide to tackling Poor Performance, Unacceptable Behaviour and Poor Attendance in the Workplace. Any manager can manage good people, you only have to point them in the right direction and leave them to get on with job. Any manager can manage a gross misconduct situation because there are nearly always clear facts to work on and a clear process to follow. Poor performance however is not so easy because there are often unclear facts to work on and there is no recognised process to follow; until now! Use the performance management tools outlined in this book and follow the GRASPING the Nettle steps and you will be able to address poor performance issues fairly and professionally. GRASPING the poor performance nettle. Did you know that it is possible to grasp a stinging nettle without getting stung? All you need to do is grab hold of it boldly, quickly and by using the right technique. Tackling poor performance or poor behaviour should be approached in the same way. Confront a performance or behaviour issue quickly, confidently, and in the right manner, and it is possible to do this (the most difficult and challenging of all management tasks) without too much pain. Read and digest the critical information outlined in this manager development book and follow the Grasping the Nettle steps and you will find that tackling poor performance is not as difficult as you may think. This is a must read for all people managers because by using the unique procedures, tips and techniques outlined in this book, you will be able to address performance issues effectively, professionally, fairly and reasonably. Reading this book before tackling a performance issue will certainly minimise the risk of complaints, grievances and spurious tribunal claims.