New Certified Trainers: May 2023 | Center for Nonviolent Communication

Here are some of the newest people to join the Certified Trainer community. We invite you to get to know them by reading their stories below. Please celebrate them with us:

Portrait of Luiza Stefan

Adam Čajka (Czechia)
Eva Malirova (Czechia)
Christine Koessling (Canada)
Jovana Petrovic (France)
Peter Baum (Germany)
Carolina Izquierdo Amaruch (Spain)
Jutta Gänshirt (Germany)
Rudy Begas (Belgium)
Tilman Krakau (Germany)
Matthew Lederman (United States)
Faith Chinnock (United States)
PJ Nelsen (United States)

1.Adam Čajka (Czechia)

Email: [email protected]
Assessor: Frank Gaschler

From the Assessor:

[DE] Ich habe Adam 2013 auf dem European Intensive Course (EIC) in Südfrankreich kennen gelernt. 2016 hat er zusammen mit Eva und Inka das IIT in der Tschechischen Republik organisiert und wir haben uns seitdem immer wieder in Brno auf Seminaren getroffen.
Was feiere und schätze ich an Adam besonders? Die ersten Begriffe, die mir zu Adam einfallen sind Bescheidenheit, Neugier und Demut. Vielleicht liegt es an seinem Bezug zu asiatischen Kampfkünsten oder überhaupt zu asiatischen Kulturen, dass ich eine bestimmte Art von Höflichkeit und Zuvorkommenheit von ihm kenne, die ich als sehr angenehm und unterstützend empfinde. Ich schätze es sehr, wenn Trainer*innen nicht nur auf ihr eigenes Licht achten, sondern auch Kolleg*innen und Teilnehmende im Blick behalten. Klaus Karstädt hat gesagt, dass für ihn eine der wichtigsten Kompetenzen von IIT Trainer*innen in ihrer Bereitschaft zu dienen liegt. D.h. ihre eigenes Ego hinter die Bedürfnisse der Gruppe zu stellen. Adam macht es für mich nicht selbstaufopfernd, sondern auf sein natürliche Art, wie er den Raum einnimmt. Raum geben und Raum nehmen. Alle im Blick haben. Eine Qualität, die ich mir vor allem von Männern sehr wünsche.
Der Weg auf dem ich ihn begleiten durfte, war vor allem geprägt davon, aus dem Schatten von seinem Freund und Lehrmeister Ondras zu treten. Im Lauf der Jahre ist ihm dies gelungen, ohne dafür zu kämpfen, sondern mit genau dieser Freundlichkeit. Ich sehe Adam als einen wunderbaren Teamplayer, der eine riesige Bereicherung für das CNVC im Bereich des social changes - oder vielmehr des environmental changes ist. Ich glaube, das sind Bereiche, in denen wir noch viel von ihm lernen können.

[EN] I met Adam in 2013 at the European Intensive Course (EIC) in the South of France. In 2016, he organized the IIT in the Czech Republic together with Eva and Inka and we have met again and again at seminars in Brno since then.
What do I celebrate and appreciate most about Adam? The first terms that come to my mind about Adam are modesty, curiosity, and humility. Perhaps it is because of his connection to Asian martial arts, or Asian cultures in general, that I know a certain kind of politeness and courtesy from him that I find very pleasant and supportive. I appreciate it very much when trainers not only pay attention to their own light, but also keep an eye on colleagues and participants. Klaus Karstädt has said that for him, one of the most important competencies of IIT trainers is their willingness to serve. That is, to put their own ego behind the needs of the group. Adam does it for me not in a self-sacrificing way but in his natural way of taking up space. Giving space and taking space. Keeping everyone in view. A quality that I would like to see in men in particular.
The path on which I was allowed to accompany him was characterized, above all, by stepping out of the shadow of his friend and teacher, Ondras. Over the years he has succeeded in doing this without fighting for it, but with exactly this kindness. I see Adam as a wonderful team player who is a huge asset to CNVC in the area of social change - or rather, environmental change. I think these are areas where we can still learn a lot from him.

[ES] Conocí a Adam en 2013 en el Curso Intensivo Europeo (EIC) en el sur de Francia. En 2016, organizó el IIT en la República Checa junto con Eva e Inka y, desde entonces, hemos coincidido una y otra vez en seminarios en Brno.
¿Qué es lo que celebro y aprecio especialmente de Adam? Las primeras palabras que me vienen a la mente sobre Adam son modestia, curiosidad y humildad. Quizá sea por su conexión con las artes marciales asiáticas o con las culturas asiáticas en general por lo que conozco en él un cierto tipo de educación y cortesía que me resulta muy agradable y comprensivo. Aprecio mucho cuando los formadores no sólo se fijan en su propia luz, sino que también vigilan a sus colegas y participantes. Klaus Karstädt ha dicho que para él una de las competencias más importantes de los formadores del IIT es su voluntad de servicio. Es decir, poner su propio ego por detrás de las necesidades del grupo. Adam lo hace para mí no de forma abnegada, sino con su forma natural de ocupar espacio. Dando espacio y ocupando espacio. Manteniendo a todos a la vista. Una cualidad que deseo mucho, sobre todo de los hombres.
El camino en el que se me permitió acompañarle se caracterizó sobre todo por salir de la sombra de su amigo y maestro Ondras. A lo largo de los años ha conseguido hacerlo sin luchar por ello, pero precisamente con esta amabilidad. Veo a Adam como un maravilloso jugador de equipo que constituye un enorme activo para el CNVC en el ámbito del cambio social, o más bien del cambio medioambiental. Creo que aún podemos aprender mucho de él en estos ámbitos.

From Adam:

I first encountered NVC in 2013 at European Intensive Course. Back then, I was working in the field of global education, and I was longing for another sophisticated tool how to make this world a better place. It was a tough realization that the social change I was dreaming about or any external transformation is inevitably linked to individual inner change. A paradigm shift.
In 2017 together with Ondras Pribyla, Eva Malirova, and other friends and colleagues, we set up NVC Brno, a non-profit organization. Our main intention has been spreading NVC in the Czech Republic. We offer open courses, we work with diverse groups (schools, businesses, non-profits, artists, social justice activists, foresters, prisons etc.), and we run a train-the-trainer group for other trainers and lecturers in Czechia.
My current activities and passion is in a) supporting groups and organizations through sharing NVC, b) doing conflict transformation and c) supporting the creation of horizontal structures. I don‘t see NVC as a tool to make people feel better in a structure that does not support life, and I believe NVC has the potential to transform social structures (e.g. schools, companies, public institutions etc). I try to work with this by exploring and bringing systemic approach to my work.
I am deeply grateful to many trainers and practitioners of NVC (and other approaches), especially to Frank Gaschler, Robert Krzisnik, Father Chris, Jared Finkelstein, and Miki Kashtan.

2. Eva Malirova (Czechia)

Email: [email protected]
Assessor: Frank Gaschler

From the Assessor:

[DE] Ich habe Eva 2013 auf dem European Intensive Course (EIC) in Südfrankreich kennen gelernt. 2016 hat sie zusammen mit Adam und Inka das IIT in der Tschechischen Republik organisiert und wir haben uns seitdem immer wieder in Brno auf Seminaren getroffen.
Was feiere und schätze ich an Eva besonders? Ich habe Eva auf zwei unterschiedliche Weisen im Laufe dieses Prozesses kennen lernen dürfen. Einerseits die Kämpferin für Frieden und Nachhaltigkeit, gegen soziale Ungerechtigkeit, für globale Bildung und gegen Machtmissbrauch und andererseits als Mutter in der liebevollen Begleitung ihrer Kinder. Eva ist schnell in ihrer Auffassungsgabe und im Erspüren der Befindlichkeiten Einzelner und der Gruppe. Sie spürt die Gruppe und kann ihr Worte geben.
Eva kann gross denken und ihrer Sehnsucht folgen, zu einem wirklichen Wandel beizutragen. Gleichzeitig sehe ich Ihre Qualitäten darin, Menschen empathisch zu erspüren und sie in einem wertungsfreien Raum zu empfangen. Bei Ihr bin ich willkommen.
Ich freue mich riesig, dass Eva die CNVC Gemeinschaft fortan durch ihr Sein und ihr Engagement bereichern wird.
[EN] I met Eva in 2013 at the European Intensive Course (EIC) in the South of France. In 2016, she organized the IIT in the Czech Republic together with Adam and Inka and we have met again and again at seminars in Brno since then.
What do I particularly celebrate and appreciate about Eva? I have been able to get to know Eva in two different ways during this process. On the one hand, the fighter for peace and sustainability, against social injustice, for global education and against abuse of power, and on the other hand, as a mother in the loving companionship of her children. Eva is quick in her perception and in sensing the sensitivities of individuals and the group. She senses the group and can give it words.
Eva can think big and follow her desire to contribute to real change. At the same time, I see her qualities in empathically sensing people and welcoming them in a judgment-free space. With her, I am welcome.
I am very happy that Eva will enrich the CNVC community with her being and her commitment from now on.
[ES] Conocí a Eva en 2013 en el Curso Intensivo Europeo (EIC) en el sur de Francia. En 2016, organizó el CIE en la República Checa junto con Adam e Inka y, desde entonces, hemos coincidido una y otra vez en seminarios en Brno.
¿Qué celebro y aprecio especialmente de Eva? A lo largo de este proceso he podido conocer a Eva de dos maneras diferentes. Por un lado, como luchadora por la paz y la sostenibilidad, contra la injusticia social, por la educación global y contra el abuso de poder, y por otro, como madre en el acompañamiento amoroso de sus hijos. Eva es rápida en su percepción y en sentir las sensibilidades de los individuos y del grupo. Percibe al grupo y sabe darle palabras.
Eva puede pensar en grande y seguir su anhelo de contribuir a un cambio real. Al mismo tiempo, veo sus cualidades para sentir empatía por las personas y acogerlas en un espacio libre de juicios. Con ella soy bienvenido.
Estoy muy contenta de que Eva vaya a enriquecer la comunidad del CNVC con su ser y su compromiso.

From Eva:

As a global education trainer, I have been supporting teachers and educators to explore controversial and contemporary issues connected to inequalities in the World, in the classroom and informal learning environment. Two ongoing questions were guiding my exploration: how can we understand the situation of people in different conditions than ours, how to discuss different viewpoints in complex issues where the clear answers are missing, and still stay together and cooperate? I found a rich source of support in NVC.
I see and want NVC to be seen as a power to transform the way we live on this planet and share resources. We decided on our mission to bring NVC to the Czech Republic with Ondráš Přibyla, Adam Čajka, and Ivana Horáková after EIC in 2013. There was no NVC organization and no certified trainer at that time. We run a training group together, we organize trainings and invite trainers from abroad, we organize the first Czech IIT in 2016, and we founded the first Czech NVC organization two years later.
I offer short and long-term trainings mainly for educational organizations, activist groups, NGOs, parents, and the public. My main focus is the organizational and systemic application of NVC. The sense of international NVC community has been very supportive for me. I am nourished for this purpose by my membership in Nonviolent Global Liberation actually.

I work with schools and teachers with a focus on exploring power and emancipation with the purpose of mutual liberation of kids and teachers.
I guide teams and organizations on their ways to transforming hierarchies into self-organizing organisms with a focus on needs and purpose.
I am learning to bring systemic perspective and power and privilege notions into my NVC trainings.
I wonder how to support the development of Czech NVC community on an organizational level.
Gratitude:
My gratitude for showing me the depth, diversity, richness and power of NVC goes to: Frank Gaschler, Gundi Gaschler, Luise Romain, Robert Křišnik, Klaus Karlstadt, Irmtraud Kauschat, Annia Mills, Tomek Baginski, Newt Bailey, Jared Finkelstein, Kathleen Macferran, Dominic Barter and Miki Kashtan.

3. Christine Koessling (Canada)

Email: [email protected]
Assessor: Marcelle Belanger

From the Assessor:

[EN] I am pleased to recommend Christine to join the community of certified trainers. For several years, she has been very committed and determined to learn, integrate and experience the process. Now she shares it with dynamism, integrity, and with a deep drive to connect with each other in order to contribute to a
quality of connection and create a secure relationship.
In its transmission, it is concrete and able to reach the other where he is! She has a great love for the human beings! What’s more, Christine is committed to the community and is deeply committed to contributing to it!
In the final part of her journey, I was accompanied by my co-evaluator Valérie Lanctôt-Bédard who is also celebrating Christine’s certification.

[FR] Je suis heureuse de recommander Christine pour rejoindre la communauté des formateurs certifiés.
Depuis plusieurs années, elle est très engagée et déterminée à apprendre, intégrer et vivre le processus. Maintenant, elle le partage avec dynamisme, intégrité et avec un élan profond de se relier à l’autre afin de contribuer à une qualité de connexion et créer une relation sécuritaire.
Dans sa transmission, elle est concrète et capable de rejoindre l’autre là où il est ! Elle a un grand amour pour l’être humain! De plus, Christine est engagée dans la communauté et ça lui tient profondément à cœur d’y contribuer !
Dans la dernière partie de son parcours, j’étais accompagnée de ma co-évaluatrice Valérie Lanctôt-Bédard qui célèbre également la certification de Christine.

From Christine:

[EN] I have always had an interest in human relations, which one day led me to enroll in a training course in NVC. This was the trigger to continue the whole program and become a certified trainer, I knew very clearly at that time that I wanted to transmit this mode of communication. I was able to observe how this mode of communication has transformative repercussions in all interpersonal relationships, whether simple or complex. Since then, NVC has been part of my daily life. I give training to the general public and in the workplace. I am also trained in Relational Intelligence of Self-therapy created by Dr. Francois Le Doze, as well than the Polyvagal Theory (Dr. Steven Porges).

[FR] J’ai toujours eu un intérêt pour les relations humaines, ce qui un jour m’a amenée à m’inscrire à une formation en CNV. Ce fut l’élément déclencheur pour poursuivre tout le programme et devenir formatrice certifiée, j’ai su très clairement à ce moment-là que je voulais transmettre ce mode de communication. J’ai pu observer à quel point ce mode de communication à des répercussions transformatrice dans toutes les relations interpersonnelles, qu’elle soit simple ou complexe. Depuis, la CNV fait partie de mon quotidien. Je donne des formations au grand public et en milieu de travail. Je suis aussi formée en Intelligence relationnelle de Self-thérapie crée par Dr François Le Doze , ainsi que la Théorie polyvagale (Dr Steven Porges).

4. Jovana Petrovic (France)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Laurence Bruschweiler, Vinciane Marliere

From the Assessor:

Many of the trainers who work with her note the congruence between how she lives NVC and how she teaches it. Her mentor said of her: she has an inner fire that gathers around her!
So, her grounding and heart qualities generate trust.
We appreciate her commitment to long-term projects (medical, prison, etc.) and her ability to cooperate.

From Jovana:

Un matin de février 2017 (j’étais alors dans une période tourmentée de ma vie: mon fils commençait à se remettre d’un cancer et je cherchais à donner une nouvelle orientation, un nouveau sens à ma vie) j’ai découvert une vidéo de Marshall Rosenberg. Ça a été comme une révélation. Immédiatement je me suis dit : "je veux faire ça". En effet, je retrouvais là trente ans de développement personnel, de lectures, de champs d’actions, réunis et modélisés au service de la paix dans le monde. Je me suis donc lancée et me voila certifiée. Très vite, j'ai commencé à faire des ateliers en prison. Je voudrais dire ici toute ma gratitude à Jean-Luc Bermond qui m’a fait confiance et qui m’a poussé à le faire. Peu de temps après j’ai commencé à former des étudiants en médecine grâce à Alexandre Duguet qui lui aussi m’a fait confiance et très vite nous avons noué une solide complicité. Après les étudiants en médecine, ce sont les médecins hospitaliers que nous avons et continuons à former. Nous avons également organisé des cercles restauratifs dans des services en conflit.
C’est ainsi que nous est venu l’envie de faire entrer la CNV à l’université. C’est aujourd’hui réalisé. En octobre démarrera la première cession : Diplôme universitaire de CNV - Paris-
Sorbonne-Université. J’en suis très fière.
Mon action s’étend aussi dans le champ thérapeutique en individuel et en groupe.
J’ai aussi en projet d’aller soutenir Snezana Molnar en Serbie, le pays où sont nés mes parents et dont je parle couramment la langue.

5. Peter Baum (Germany)

Email: [email protected]
Assessor: Frank Gaschler

From the Assessor:

[DE] Ich habe Peter 2018 bei den Mentoring- und Assessmenttagen kennen gelernt und er hat mich und Esther Gerdts als Assistent im Jahrestraining unterstützt.
Was feiere und schätze ich an Peter besonders? Ich kenne wenige Kandidat*innen die mir von Anfang an so auf Augenhöhe begegnet sind, wie Peter. Keine Angst vor Autorität, keine Macht über / Macht unter Spielchen, keine Dramen. Statt dessen ein ehrlicher und offener Austausch. Ich kann mich an ein langes Gespräch erinnern, bei dem er mir empathisch zugehört hat, wie es mir damit geht, nur spärliches von Kandidat*innen Infos zu bekommen und auch als ich ihm erzählte, dass ich als Assessor aufhören will, galt seine Sorge vor allem mir.
Ich sehe Peters Qualitäten darin, „Fehler“ tatsächlich als Lernchancen zu sehen und das tut er, indem er ihnen mit einem Lächeln begegnet. Ich liebe und bewundere seine Sprache. Ich wünschte, ich hätte auch nur annähernd eine derart wertschätzende Wortwahl und aber auch diese Klarheit ohne Härte. Besonders schätze ich seine Verwurzelung in seinem Glauben. Sie lässt erahnen, wie nährend die Verbindung zu einer „Devine Energie“ sein kann.
Für mich ist Peter eine riesige Bereicherung für das CNVC. Ein Mann, der ohne Glamour und Platzgerangel einfach Liebe verströmt.

[EN] I met Peter in 2018 at the mentoring and assessment days and he supported me and Esther Gerdts as an assistant in the annual training.
What do I particularly celebrate and appreciate about Peter? I know few candidates* who have met me at eye level from the very beginning like Peter. No fear of authority, no power over / power under games, no drama. Instead, an honest and open exchange. I remember a long conversation where he empathically listened to me about how I was doing with getting sparse info from candidates, and even when I told him I wanted to quit as an assessor, his concern was mostly for me.
I see Peter's qualities in actually seeing "mistakes" as learning opportunities and he does that by meeting them with a smile. I love and admire his language. I wish I had anywhere near such an appreciative choice of words, but also such clarity without harshness. I especially appreciate his rootedness in his faith. It gives you an idea of how nurturing the connection to a "Devine energy" can be.
For me, Peter is a huge asset to CNVC. A man who simply exudes love without glamor or place-making.

[ES] Conocí a Peter en 2018 en las jornadas de tutoría y evaluación y nos apoyó a mí y a Esther Gerdts como asistente en la formación anual.
Qué es lo que celebro y aprecio especialmente de Peter? Conozco a pocos candidatos que se hayan encontrado conmigo a la altura de los ojos desde el principio como Peter. Sin miedo a la autoridad, sin juegos de poder sobre / poder bajo, sin dramas. En su lugar, un intercambio honesto y abierto. Recuerdo una larga conversación en la que me escuchó con empatía sobre cómo me estaba yendo con la escasa información que recibía de los candidatos, e incluso cuando le dije que quería dejar de ser evaluador, su preocupación era principalmente por mí.
Veo las cualidades de Peter en ver realmente los "errores" como oportunidades de aprendizaje y lo hace enfrentándose a ellos con una sonrisa. Me encanta y admiro su lenguaje. Ojalá yo tuviera una elección de palabras tan apreciativa y también esta claridad sin asperezas. Aprecio especialmente su arraigo en la fe. Te da una idea de lo nutritiva que puede ser la conexión con una "energía divina".
Para mí, Peter es un enriquecimiento enorme para la CNVC. Un hombre que, sencillamente, destila amor sin glamour ni lugares comunes.

From Peter:

[EN] I am thankful how NVC found its way into my life. It triggered so much change in me and in my environment. I look forward to more learning, more change and more movement in the years to come with NVC.
[DE] Ich bin dankbar wie die GFK in mein Leben gefunden hat. Es hat so viel Veränderung ausgelöst in mir und in meinem Umfeld. Ich freue mich auf mehr lernen, mehr Veränderung und mehr Bewegung in den nächsten Jahren mit der GFK.

6. Carolina Izquierdo Amaruch (Spain)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Marianne Sikor

From the Assessor:

Carolina Izquierdo Amaruch, Sant Cugat del Vallés, Barcelona, Spain

Work with women: I value the work with women Carol is doing. I see her deep longing to contribute to healing and empowerment and see it as a very important contribution to social change.
Connection with the body: Carol is integrating bodywork into her trainings. I value this as a way to strengthen the connection with the body and to enable a more holistic way of learning and integrating NVC.
Warmth, love, and heart: In our final feedback round on the DTA this was the quality that was mentioned the most for Carol. With this heartful warmth, she is radiating an invitation for openness and empathic connection with oneself and others.
Welcome, Carol, I joyfully welcome you as part of our CT community!

From Carolina:

[EN] My NVC path has been a great awakening to a new way of being in life.
On an internal level, it helps me every day not to get attached to things being a certain way and to let go of control, which has been a great vital learning. Also, thanks to the processes experienced in co-living and trainings, my sense of "I matter" has grown, it has allowed me to open up to vulnerability, trust the group and myself and change a deep belief that my needs are not as important as others or sometimes think they are more important than others. It has also given me a lot of freedom to put the “shoulds” aside!
I use NVC in my work as a body therapist (where I help people release emotions stored in contracted musculature). It helps me to go a step further and accompany not only to recognize what emotions move and express them, but also to be able to link them with the needs and from there give way to concrete strategies. Both in my work with women and in my work with addictions, NVC helps me make the changes come true at more structural levels of the personality, and even the energetic ones.
In my own way, NVC is closely linked to the body experience, since many times the emotions that in NVC we want to recognize and express are hold in deeper layers after processes of vital repression, and therefore can take longer to come through. For some people it is particularly difficult to get in contact with some emotions. My work as a therapist allows me to delve into these layers or, at least, as a NVC facilitator, take them into account.
In addition, it is opening paths for me in new projects that are very closed to my heart.
It gives me a lot of peace to know that with my work I can contribute to a profound transformation of the way we relate to each other in all areas. It gives meaning to my life and for that I feel deeply grateful.

[ES] Mi camino en la CNV ha sido un gran despertar a una nueva forma de ser en la vida.
A nivel interno me ayuda cada día a no apegarme a que las cosas sean de cierta manera ya soltar el control, lo cual ha sido un gran aprendizaje vital. Además, gracias a los procesos vividos en convivencia y capacitaciones, mi sentido de "yo importo" ha crecido, me ha permitido abrirme a la vulnerabilidad, confiar en el grupo y en mí mismo y cambiar una creencia profunda de que mis necesidades no son tan importantes como los demás o a veces que son más importantes que las de los demás. ¡También me ha dado mucha libertad para dejar de lado los "debería"!
La uso en mi trabajo como terapeuta corporal (donde ayudo a las personas a liberar emociones almacenadas en la musculatura contraída). Me ayuda a dar un paso más y acompañar no solo a reconocer qué emociones mueven y expresarlas, sino también a poder vincularlas con las necesidades y a partir de ahí dar paso a estrategias concretas. Tanto en mi trabajo con mujeres como en mi trabajo con adicciones, la CNV me ayuda a concretar los cambios a niveles más estructurales de la personalidad, e incluso energéticos.
En mi camino, la CNV está íntimamente ligada a la experiencia corporal, ya que muchas veces las emociones que en la CNV queremos reconocer y expresar quedan retenidas en capas más profundas tras procesos de represión vital, y por tanto pueden tardar más en manifestarse. Para algunas personas es particularmente difícil entrar en contacto con algunas emociones. Mi trabajo como terapeuta me permite profundizar en estas capas o, al menos, como facilitador de CNV, tenerlas en cuenta.
Además, me está abriendo caminos en nuevos proyectos que están muy en consonancia con mis valores.
Me da mucha paz saber que con mi trabajo puedo contribuir a una transformación profunda de la forma en que nos relacionamos en todos los ámbitos. Le da sentido a mi vida y por eso me siento profundamente agradecida.

7. Jutta Gänshirt (Germany)

Email: [email protected]
Assessor: Frank Gaschler

From the Assessor:

[DE] Ich habe Jutta 2011 kennen gelernt als Teilnehmerin auf unserem 2. Family Camp in Bad Aussee. Zusammen mit ihrem Sohn nahm sie von da aus regelmässig an den Family Camps teil und ab 2012 kreuzten sich unsere Wege immer wieder auf European Intensive Courses und zwei IITs. Mittlerweile ist daraus eine tiefe Freundschaft geworden und ich feiere, dass diese nun wieder - durch den Wegfall der Assessor-Kandidatinnen Beziehung - entspannt weiterleben kann.
Was feiere und schätze ich an Jutta besonders? Ich feiere Ihre Ehrlichkeit und Ihren Mut. Sie hat zwischen drei Zertifizierten Trainerinnen mediiert und blieb standfest, empathisch und war frei von „Angst vor Autorität“. Ihre Verwunderung über den Prozess änderte nichts an ihrem respektvollen und wertschätzenden Umgang.
Als Lehrerin an einer Regelschule lebt sie täglich einen Spagat zwischen offiziellen Anforderungen und Ihrer Integrität. Ich bewundere ihre Fähigkeit, dem System gerecht zu werden und gleichzeitig eine tragfähige Beziehung zu den Schülerinnen aufzubauen.
Jutta ist für mich eine unglaubliche Bereicherung für unsere Gemeinschaft, weil sie über social change im Bildungssystem nicht nur reden kann, sondern diesen aktiv und nachhaltig gestaltet.

[EN] I met Jutta in 2011 as a participant at our 2nd Family Camp in Bad Aussee. Together with her son she regularly participated in the Family Camps and from 2012 on our paths crossed again and again on European Intensive Courses and two IITs. In the meantime, this has become a deep friendship and I celebrate that this can now live on again - relaxed by the discontinuation of the assessor-candidate relationship.
What do I celebrate and appreciate most about Jutta? I celebrate her honesty and courage. She mediated between three Certified Trainers and remained steadfast, empathetic, and was free of "fear of authority." Her astonishment at the process did not change her respectful and appreciative approach.
As a teacher in a mainstream school, she lives a daily balancing act between official requirements and your integrity. I admire her ability to be fair to the system and at the same time build a sustainable relationship with the students.
Jutta is an incredible asset to our community because she can not only talk about social change in the education system, but actively and sustainably shape it.

[ES] Conocí a Jutta en 2011 como participante en nuestro 2º Campamento Familiar en Bad Aussee. Junto con su hijo, participó regularmente en los Campamentos Familiares desde entonces y a partir de 2012 nuestros caminos se cruzaron una y otra vez en los Cursos Intensivos Europeos y en dos IIT. Entre tanto, esto se ha convertido en una profunda amistad y celebro que ahora esto pueda vivir de nuevo de una manera relajada - debido a la interrupción de la relación asesor-candidato.
¿Qué es lo que más celebro y aprecio de Jutta? Celebro su honestidad y valentía. Fue mediadora entre tres formadores certificados y se mantuvo firme, empática y sin "miedo a la autoridad". Su asombro ante el proceso no cambió su enfoque respetuoso y apreciativo.
Como profesora de una escuela ordinaria, tiene que hacer equilibrios a diario entre los requisitos oficiales y su integridad. Admiro su capacidad para hacer justicia al sistema y al mismo tiempo construir una relación sostenible con los alumnos.
Para mí, Jutta es un activo increíble para nuestra comunidad porque no sólo habla de cambio social en el sistema educativo, sino que lo moldea de forma activa y sostenible.

From Jutta:

[EN] In 2006 I first heard Marshall Rosenberg CDs, which moved me deeply. Listening to the empathetic way in which he dealt with participants, a healing process began to blossom within me. I became aware of a deep longing within myself, and it became clear how I wished people would interact with each other. I realized that I needed to learn to communicate in this manner in order to connect this way with other people. At the beginning it was often difficult, and I´m very grateful to my family and friends that they were able to put up with my initial, often clumsy attempts at communicating non-violently.
NVC has become a concrete part of who I am, both personally and professionally.
As a teacher, it´s critically important for me to be able to share my values with the next generation, in the hopes that they are a part of helping to improve the world in which we all live.
Alongside my regular practice groups and seminars, I´m especially happy that I can share my experiences in my practice groups for teachers, and that I am able to encourage and support my collegues to speak “the language of life” with their students and at the same time remain in focus with their own needs. Within the whirlwind of dayly activities, with all that this entails, this can often be a collosal challenge. Facing this challenge within myself and helping others to face it, has been profoundly rewarding for me.

[DE] 2006 habe ich erstmals die CDs von Marshall Rosenberg gehört und war tief berührt. Während seiner empathischen Prozesse mit Teilnehmer*innen, setzte bei mir bereits ein eigener Heilungsprozess ein. Ich bin mit einer tiefen Sehnsucht in mir in Berührung gekommen, wie ich möchte, dass Menschen miteinander umgehen. So war mir nun klar, dass ich lernen möchte, so mit anderen in Verbindung zu treten und zu kommunizieren. Anfangs war dieser Weg oft steinig und mühsam und ich bin meiner Familie und meinem Freundeskreis dafür dankbar, dass sie meine ersten, oft holprigen Schritte, gewaltfrei zu kommunizieren, mitgetragen haben. Schließlich wurde die GFK ein fester Bestandteil meines Selbstverständnisses, privat und auch beruflich.
Als Lehrerin ist es mir ein großes Anliegen, mich der nächsten Generation mit meinen Werten zur Verfügung zu stellen. Darin verbirgt sich die Hoffnung, dass wir Teil davon werden, die Welt, in der wir alle leben, zu verbessern.
Neben den regelmäßig stattfindenden Übungsgruppen und Seminaren, die ich leite, freue ich mich besonders darüber, dass ich meine Erfahrungen aus der Schule in meinen Übungsgruppen für Pädagog*innen teilen kann. Hier ist es mir möglich, meine Kolleg*innen zu ermutigen und zu unterstützen, in der "Sprache des Lebens" auf Kinder und Jugendliche einzugehen und doch gleichzeitig die eigenen Bedürfnisse im Blick zu behalten. Im Trubel des Schulalltags mit all seinen Anforderungen kann genau das eine große Herausforderung sein. Mich dieser Herausforderung selbst zu stellen und andere darin zu unterstützen, gibt mir eine tiefe Befriedigung.

8. Rudy Begas (Belgium)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Frank Gaschler

From the Assessors:

[DE] Ich habe Rudy auf dem European Intensive Course EIC 2017 kennen gelernt und ab dann auf weiteren EICs, als Übersetzer von Gundi’s Buch, auf Mentoring- und Assessmenttagen und als Freund. Zu Beginn der Corona-Pandemie hatten wir eine unglaublich bereichernde Zeit, in der wir uns gegenseitig beigebracht haben, wie Webinare funktionieren. Bei meinem letzen MAT sang er ein Lied „Oh Danny boy“ für mich, welches mich unendlich berührt hat, weil es mich mit einer Zeit in Verbindung gebracht hat, in der ich 1992 in Belfast Friedensarbeit versucht habe und damals fast Marshall begegnet wäre.
Was feiere und schätze ich an Rudy besonders? Rudy kann mit Menschen. Ich habe erlebt, wie er Menschen in einem völlig chaotischen System (ich weiss, dies ist eine Bewertung) so organisiert, dass diese mit Freude zusammenarbeiten. Rudy kann Seminare. Ich habe auch erlebt, wie er Seminareinheiten gestaltet, moderiert, führt. Rudy kann lernen. Ich habe erlebt, wie er nicht nur offen für Feedback ist, sondern dies mit jeder Pore aufnimmt und daraus neues gestaltet. Rudy kann beitragen. Ich habe immer wieder erlebt, mit welcher Offenheit Rudy zum Prozess beiträgt, Inspiriert, Materialien teilt, Spiele, Energizer. Rudy kann Empathie. Menschen denen ich sehr vertraue haben mir erzählt, mit welcher Qualität sie von ihm begleitet und gehalten wurden.
Rudy ist für diese Gemeinschaft meines Erachtens ein Geschenk, vor allem, wenn es darum geht neue Wege mit neuen Technologien der Vermittlung der GFK zu gehen. Hier ist Dein Platz!
Insgesamt freue ich mich auf gemeinsame Zusammenarbeit in Netzwerk, aber noch viel mehr auf Freundschaft auf Augenhöhe!

[EN] I met Rudy at the European Intensive Course EIC 2017 and from then on at other EICs, as a translator of Gundi's book, at mentoring and assessment days and as a friend. At the beginning of the Corona pandemic, we had an incredibly enriching time teaching each other how webinars work. At my last MAT he sang a song for me "Oh Danny boy" which touched me immensely because it connected me to a time when I was trying to do peace work in Belfast in 1992 and almost met Marshall then.
What do I celebrate and appreciate most about Rudy? Rudy has a way with people. I have seen him organize people in a totally chaotic system (I know this is a judgment) so that they work together with joy. Rudy can do seminars. I have also experienced how he designs, facilitates, leads seminar sessions. Rudy can learn. I have experienced how he is not only open to feedback, but takes it in with every pore and creates new things from it. Rudy can contribute. I have repeatedly experienced the openness with which Rudy contributes to the process, inspires, shares materials, games, energizes. Rudy can empathize. People I trust very much have told me with what quality they were accompanied and held by him.
Rudy is a gift to this community, in my opinion, especially when it comes to breaking new ground with new technologies of teaching NVC. This is your place!
All in all, I am looking forward to joint collaboration in networking, but even more to friendship at eye level!

[ES] Conocí a Rudy en el Curso Intensivo Europeo EIC 2017 y desde entonces en otros EIC, como traductor del libro de Gundi, en jornadas de mentoring y evaluación y como amigo. Al principio de la pandemia Corona, pasamos un rato increíblemente enriquecedor enseñándonos mutuamente cómo funcionan los webinars. En mi último MAT me cantó una canción "Oh Danny boy" que me emocionó inmensamente porque me conectó con una época en la que yo intentaba hacer trabajo por la paz en Belfast en 1992 y entonces casi conocí a Marshall.
¿Qué es lo que más celebro y aprecio de Rudy? Rudy tiene don de gentes. Le he visto organizar a personas en un sistema totalmente caótico (sé que es una opinión) para que trabajen juntas con alegría. Rudy sabe hacer seminarios. También he experimentado cómo diseña, modera y dirige sesiones de seminarios. Rudy sabe aprender. He visto cómo no sólo está abierto a la retroalimentación, sino que la asimila con cada poro y crea algo nuevo a partir de ella. Rudy puede contribuir. He experimentado una y otra vez la apertura con la que Rudy contribuye al proceso, inspira, comparte materiales, juega, da energía. Rudy puede empatizar. Personas en las que confío mucho me han dicho con qué calidad se han sentido acompañadas y sostenidas por él.
Rudy es, en mi opinión, un regalo para esta comunidad, especialmente cuando se trata de abrir nuevos caminos con nuevas tecnologías de enseñanza de la CNV. ¡Este es su lugar!
En definitiva, ¡tengo muchas ganas de trabajar juntos en la red, pero más aún de amistad a flor de piel!

From Rudy:

[EN] I came across NVC in 2010 and triggered me! In search for learning an growth, I attended more workshops and found my mentor Karin Ferfers. I started exploring NVC, both in my own workshops and at home. I provide various training in personal development including NVC.
I have a solid passion to contribute. And as a creative trainer, coach and consultant I share both NLP, MBTI, Insights Discovery and NVC in a way that helps people, families, couples and teams in companies to grow in their self-knowledge.
I believe this wonderful world can still use a lot of NVC and I want to be the carrier of that fire.
What else I want to share about me? Warning, I have contagious enthusiasm!

[NL] Ik kwam in 2010 in aanraking met NVC en het triggerde mij enorm! Op zoek naar bijleren en groei, volgde ik meer workshops en vond ik mijn mentor Karin Ferfers. Ik ben GC gaan verkennen, zowel in mijn eigen workshops als thuis. Ik geef diverse trainingen op het gebied van persoonlijke ontwikkeling waaronder NVC en - waar mogelijk - probeer ik NVC erin te krijgen. Ik wil het ook doorgeven door het voor te leven.
Ik ben heel gedreven om bij te dragen. En als creative trainer, coach en consultant gebruik ik NLP, MBTI, Insights Discovery en uiteraard NVC op een manier die mensen, gezinnen, koppels en teams in bedrijven helpt groeien in verbinding en zelfkennis.
Ik geloof dat deze mooie wereld nog veel GC kan gebruiken en ik wil de drager zijn van dat vuur.
Wat wil ik nog meer over mij delen? Opgelet: ik heb een aanstekelijk enthousiasme!

9. Tilman Krakau (Germany)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Frank Gaschler

From the Assessor:

[DE] Ich habe Tilman 2017 als Assistent in einem Jahrestraining kennen gelernt und seit dem immer wieder mal auf Mentoring- und Assessmenttagen. Mein erster Eindruck war, mit welcher Kompetenz und nach aussen scheinender Selbstsicherheit er in dieser Rolle agierte. Meine erste Frage an ihn war: „Was willst du in diesem Prozess denn noch lernen, was du nicht schon kannst?“ Die Zeit zu reifen hat gut getan.
Was feiere und schätze ich an Tilman besonders? Mein erster Gedanke: Seine Jugend. Ja, die ist vergänglich, aber Tilman ist ein Mensch, der die Attribute, die ich mit Jugend verbinde sicherlich noch lange in sich trägt: Lebendigkeit, Lust auf Neues, Neugier zu wachsen, Wut zur Veränderung, Offenheit für Anderes, Freiheit von Altlasten, Kraft etwas Niederzureissen und Ausdauer Neues aufzubauen.
Tilman hat das Potential Räume zu füllen und Menschen zu begeistern. Er kann Menschen in Seminaren führen, hat ein faszinierendes Gespür für Gruppendynamik und kann sein Ego hinter den Bedarf der Gruppe oder des Prozesses stellen. Er spricht die Sprache junger Menschen und kann Energien kanalisieren. Er spricht auch ältere Menschen an und kann über Generationen Verbindung schaffen. Er Kann sich zeigen. Meist sehen die Menschen den Anteil der strahlt. Den verletzlichen zu zeigen und zuzulassen, dass er gesehen wird, wird sein Lernfeld der nächsten Jahre sein.
Ich glaube, Tilman ist eine wunderbare Bereicherung für das CNVC. Er bringt die Präzision und Energie für Veränderung, die es braucht, um in einer sich verändernden Welt lebendig zu bleiben.

[EN] I got to know Tilman in 2017 as an assistant in a year-long training course, and since then, I have been on mentoring and assessment days every now and then. My first impression was with what competence and outwardly appearing self-confidence he acted in this role. My first question to him was, "What else do you want to learn in this process that you can't already?" The time to mature has been good.
What do I particularly celebrate and appreciate about Tilman? My first thought: his youth. Yes, it is fleeting, but Tilman is a person who will certainly carry the attributes I associate with youth for a long time to come: liveliness, a desire for new things, curiosity to grow, anger to change, openness to others, freedom from old burdens, strength to tear something down and perseverance to build something new.
Tilman has the potential to fill spaces and inspire people. He can lead people in seminars, has a fascinating sense for group dynamics, and can put his ego behind the needs of the group or the process. He speaks the language of young people and can channel energies. He also speaks to older people and can connect across generations. He Can Show Up. Mostly people see the part that shines. Showing the vulnerable and allowing it to be seen will be his learning field in the coming years.
I believe Tilman is a wonderful asset to CNVC. He brings the precision and energy for change that it takes to stay alive in a changing world.

[ES] Conocí a Tilman como asistente en una formación de un año en 2017 y desde entonces he asistido de vez en cuando a jornadas de tutoría y evaluación. Mi primera impresión fue la competencia y la aparente confianza en sí mismo con la que actuaba en este papel. Mi primera pregunta para él fue: "¿Qué más quieres aprender en este proceso que no sepas ya?". El tiempo de maduración ha sido bueno.
¿Qué es lo que celebro y aprecio especialmente de Tilman? Mi primer pensamiento: su juventud. Sí, es efímera, pero Tilman es una persona que sin duda llevará durante mucho tiempo los atributos que asocio con la juventud: vivacidad, deseo de cosas nuevas, curiosidad por crecer, rabia por cambiar, apertura a los demás, liberación de viejas cargas, fuerza para derribar algo y perseverancia para construir algo nuevo.
Tilman tiene el potencial de llenar espacios e inspirar a la gente. Puede dirigir seminarios, tiene un fascinante sentido de la dinámica de grupo y puede poner su ego por detrás de las necesidades del grupo o del proceso. Habla el lenguaje de los jóvenes y sabe canalizar energías. También habla con personas mayores y puede conectar con otras generaciones. Puede aparecer. La mayoría de la gente ve la parte que brilla. Mostrar lo vulnerable y dejar que se vea será su campo de aprendizaje en los próximos años.
Creo que Tilman es un activo maravilloso para la CNVC. Aporta la precisión y la energía para el cambio que se necesitan para mantenerse vivo en un mundo cambiante.

From Tilman:

I am looking forward being part of this group of CNVC-certified trainers. I started my journey with NVC in 2015 when I worked foremost with teenagers. Back then I started training people, who worked with young people. This train-the-trainer workshops made me understand how important the attitude is for forming relationships. Only then is it possible to open the space so learning and growing can happen. Compassion plays such an important role in that context. I started working adults who work with people in 2017 - teachers, management, team-leaders. Nowadays I use to work not only with schools and offer train-the-trainer workshops for people, who work with young people, but also with those, who use to work in business.

10. Matthew Lederman (United States)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Sylvia E. Haskvitz

From the Assessor:

Matt and I share a love and value around nutrition and health. It has been a joy to accompany him on this certification journey. I enjoyed his consistent practice in going from intellectual understanding to connecting more and more to his heart, deepening his NVC skills and consciousness with his family and colleagues. Regularly searching for meaningful ways to connect and to create processes to support others in tuning into their emotional and physical well-being. I enjoyed how easy and joyful it was to give Matt feedback and have him take it in. Can’t wait to see what unfolds with his Weheal business as he launches and contributes to more and more people with NVC as a foundational process to support healing and connection. As a fellow healthcare professional, I am delighted Matt will be bringing his NVC skills to the field of health.

From Matthew:

I began my professional career studying conventional Western medicine. Quickly, I became disillusioned realizing more knowledge, skills, and tools were needed for true healing. My deeper dive into healing began with nutrition and lifestyle medicine. This path served me well for many years as I enjoyed the benefits and shared them with others. About six years ago, despite a pristine diet and exercise regimen, I experienced personal health challenges that drove me to search beyond my physical health. It was at this time that I became aware of my self-disconnection and guarded heart. My exploration and curiosity led me to a variety of modalities including Pain Reprocessing Therapies, Polyvagal Theory, and somatic awareness education. The more I learned, the more it became clear that my disconnection to self was causing significant physical and emotional pain in my life. This growing awareness, aided by my NVC mentor, Lashelle Lowe-Charde, activated an inner drive to reconnect to my feelings and needs, and open my heart, transforming my relationship not only with myself and my physical health but also with my partner, children, and extended family.

Believing NVC consciousness to be the foundation on which mind, body, and interpersonal healing lies, I decided to pursue CNVC certification at CALF with Sylvia Haskvitz and Michael Dillo. Their support has been invaluable, helping me integrate NVC consciousness into my core! During my certification journey, I have become particularly enthusiastic and motivated to share NVC with the world, through supporting patients, parents, children, and work teams. Currently I am manifesting this passion with my new venture, WeHeal.health, co-founded with my life partner of 15 years. At WeHeal, we help people achieve our broader definition of optimum health: to live in a state of, “Life Is Wonderful.” WeHeal is the culmination of decades of learning and practical experience organized into an easily accessible program that does everything just short of guaranteeing lasting health, joy, and satisfaction in your life. Now my Life Is Wonderful, filled up with my beautiful wife and two daughters who inspire me every day to continue working to heal our world.

11. Faith Chinnock (United States)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Sylvia E. Haskvitz

From the Assessor:

Faith has focused on the embodiment of NVC in her physical body as well as her emotional body. She has supported Global Rising and David Weinstock’s NVC program and immersed herself in living NVC with her family. Faith shared with me her video journals during the certification process which really captured her self-empathy process in a way that I enjoyed and delighted in experiencing her unfolding and deep connection with her inner world. She was regularly curious to know if her understanding of NVC matched mine as living and sharing NVC with integrity is very important to her. She continues to deepen her connection with her family and colleagues and she inspires in me hope in bringing more NVC consciousness and practice to the world. Faith is wanting to support others in their healing journey by joining with others and co-creating a space for healing to happen.

From Faith:

12. PJ Nelsen (United States)

Email: [email protected]
Assessors: Sylvia E. Haskvitz

From the Assessor:

PJ hopped on a plane when he couldn’t find NVC in his area and came to a workshop I offered in Tucson. On day two, he wanted to jump into practicing mediation. PJ has since brought NVC into his life at work teaching students at a university, living NVC with his colleagues, friends and family. When he had wonderings and questions about NVC and how to respond to some difficult work challenges, he turned to some of the First Generation NVCers for guidance and support. PJ also put together the First Generation NVCers website. PJ has been very open to feedback and working through relationship snags with colleagues, family members and with me — I really sense how he strives to live NVC consciousness in all of his interactions. I am excited to welcome him into the CNVC community as I am confident about how he will contribute to a world that we would all love to live in.

From PJ:

I live in the mountains of North Carolina (USA) with my partner and daughter. The exploration and practice of NVC infuses how we lives our lives as a family together. NVC has offered me resources to live my values both with my family and in my interactions with others in ways that I couldn’t before. NVC has also infuses my work as an educator: Throughout my career, I have been facilitating and leading people through challenging experiences, ones that require risk-taking, self-reflection, and trust in others. In my early career, that work was in adventure education, I now teach at a public university in the U.S. My work focuses on courses about equity, philosophy of education, and nonviolence, themes of healthy risk taking continue to infuse what we explore. NVC is a key part of that exploration as it infuses all of the course I teach. NVC has helped me align the process-focused team building work that infused my earliest work with helping people have empathic conversations about difficult topics in my current, equity-focused courses. I have also created two NVC-specific courses, one for first year students that focuses on the intersection of NVC and mindfulness practices, and the other for educational leaders. I have facilitated workshops as well as year-long faculty development programs in NVC to help teachers develop the skills to bring connection into conflict and to support people finding empathy amidst difficult conversations in their work. Beyond continuing to bring NVC into my teaching and work at my university, my intention is to connect with others in the wider NVC community and to create resources to support the integration of NVC into our everyday lives. I am constantly inspired by how NVC enriches my life and how I’ve witnessed it supporting others to be with each other in powerfully connected ways. I passionately believe that we can bridge deep differences and overcome perceived obstacles if we take the risk to reach toward each other with understanding. We can make life more wonderful one connection at a time. I try to live this everyday.