NEW CERTIFIED TRAINERS: February 2026

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Stephanie Bachmann Mattei

[EN] I am delighted to introduce the first Certified Trainer in Côte d’Ivoire. I met Arthur after many years during which he had devoted himself to learning and integrating Nonviolent Communication (NVC). It was a great joy for me to accompany him on his path toward certification. As the community came together to celebrate his journey, I would like to express my deep gratitude to Anne Bourrit, Pascale Molho, Jalila Susini, Firmin Didagbe, Véronique Brusorio, and Jean-Baptiste Ndikuriyo for their essential presence.

[FR] Je suis ravie de vous présenter le premier formateur certifié en Côte d'Ivoire. J'ai rencontré Arthur après de nombreuses années durant lesquelles il s’était consacré à l'apprentissage et à l’intégration de la CNV. Et cela a été une grande joie pour moi de l’accompagner sur son chemin vers la certification !

Alors que la communauté s’est réunie pour célébrer son parcours, je tiens à exprimer ma profonde gratitude à Anne Bourrit, Pascale Molho, Jalila Susini, Firmin Didagbe, Véronique Brusorio et Jean-Baptiste Ndikuriyo pour leur présence essentielle. Ce que je célèbre particulièrement chez Arthur, c’est sa détermination, ainsi que sa conscience vivante de l’interdépendance. Je me sens très inspirée par son engagement à rester disponible tout en prenant soin de ses propres besoins, ainsi que par sa joie communicative.

J’ai entendu de nombreuses célébrations à son sujet : son charisme, s a passion de vie, son feu intérieur, son engagement passionné à transformer les paradigmes, ainsi que son humilité et sa sagesse. Nous nous sommes également souvenus de la façon dont Marshall expliquait comment déterminer si un candidat était prêt. Il posait cette question simple : « Partiriez-vous en vacances avec cette personne ? » Et nous avons tous souri en réalisant que, oui, nous partirions volontiers en vacances avec Arthur ! Je ne doute pas des contributions précieuses qu’Arthur apportera aux habitants de son pays, à l’Afrique et au monde entier.

From Arthur:

[EN] I began my journey with Nonviolent Communication by exploring the foundational concepts such as intention, observations, feelings, needs, and requests (O-F-N-R). Gradually, I integrated these notions into my personal and professional life, applying NVC in my everyday relationships and engaging in practical exercises The Certification Process was structured in several stages: theoretical learning, experiential practice through role-plays and workshops, assisting and co-facilitating, and ongoing follow-up and feedback. This allowed me to assess my level of integration of the competencies and to progressively build my roadmap toward becoming a transmitter.

[FR] J’ai commencé mon parcours avec la CNV en m’intéressant aux concepts fondamentaux tels que l’intention, les observations, sentiments, besoins et demandes (O-S-B-D). Progressivement, j’ai intégré ces notions dans ma vie personnelle et professionnelle, en appliquant la CNV dans mes relations quotidiennes et en participant à des exercices pratiques Le processus de certification a été structuré en plusieurs étapes : apprentissage théorique, expérimentation par jeux de rôle et ateliers, assistance et co-animation, suivi et feedback. Cela m’a permis de mesurer mon niveau d’intégration des compétences et de construire progressivement ma feuille de route pour devenir un transmetteur.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Marianne Sikor

[EN] It's a great joy for me to step forward with Roxana for certification. I got to know her in 2019 at the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Summer Festival in Spain. She took 4 years to make a conscious decision to do the Certification Process, continuing with her learning and growing during these years. Then she registered with me in 2023, and we have been in regular contact about her learnings in teaching, living, and knowing NVC. During two mentoring and assessment days (4 days each), Roxana was supported in her process with 360-degree feedback by my team members, Constanza and Gerardo, by some Certified Trainers from Spain, and our candidate community.

I especially celebrate that Roxana is the second Certified Trainer from Iran. I was touched by hearing her sharing rememberings in Farsi and seeing the love that she has for her mother tongue and her home country. I'm impressed by her commitment and vision to spread NVC in Iran and build up a NVC community together with her Iranian colleagues. 

Roxana is working in the U.N. and is longing to share NVC there after bringing it for years into her workplace by living it. I saw her sharing workshops in person and online, enjoying her clarity, creativity, and how she opens up and holds the space for connection. At the assessment event, she offered a live mediation, and I appreciate how she was opening up and holding a space for connection.

In our work together, I enjoyed witnessing her self-empathy and was grateful for her empathic listening. Seeing it in various situations, I trust in her ability for honest self-expression while caring for the connection with the other person. I wholeheartedly welcome her to the international community of Certified Trainers! Welcome, Roxana!

[ES] Es una gran alegría para mí anunciar la certificación de Roxana. La conocí en 2019 en el Festival de Verano de CNV en España. Le llevó cuatro años tomar la decisión consciente de iniciar el proceso de certificación, durante los cuales continuó aprendiendo y creciendo. Luego se inscribió conmigo en 2023 y hemos estado en contacto regularmente para hablar sobre su aprendizaje en la enseñanza, la vivencia y el conocimiento de la CNV.

Durante dos días de tutoría y asesoramiento (cuatro días cada uno), Roxana recibió apoyo en su proceso con comentarios de 360 grados por parte de los miembros de mi equipo, Constanza y Gerardo, de varios formadores certificados de España y de nuestra comunidad de candidatxs. Celebro especialmente que Roxana sea la segunda formadora certificada iraní. Me emocionó mucho escucharla compartir rememberings en farsi y ver el amor que siente por su lengua materna y su país natal. Me impresiona su compromiso y su visión para difundir la CNV en Irán y construir una comunidad de CNV junto con sus colegas iraníes (todos certificados en 2025).

Roxana trabaja en la ONU, con ganas de compartir la CNV allí después de llevarla durante años a su lugar de trabajo y ponerla en práctica. La he visto impartir talleres presenciales y online, y he disfrutado de su claridad, creatividad y forma de abrirse y crear un espacio para la conexión. En el evento de asesoramiento, ofreció una mediación en directo y aprecié cómo se abrió y creó un espacio para la conexión. En nuestro trabajo juntos, disfruté siendo testigo de su auto-empatía y le agradecí su escucha empática. Al verlo en diversas situaciones, confío en su capacidad para expresarse con honestidad mientras cuida la conexión con la otra persona. ¡Le doy la bienvenida de todo corazón a la comunidad internacional de formadores certificados! ¡Bienvenida, Roxana!

From Roxana:

[EN] Nonviolent Communication has been a lived practice for me from the very first moment I engaged with others. My first practice group in 2018 was in Spanish, a language I wasn’t fluent in, yet I connected through empathy and giving and receiving compassion even without fully understanding the words. This sparked my curiosity: how could connection happen so deeply, beyond language? The principles of NVC, grounded in empathy and life-serving action, resonated deeply with my years of Vipassana practice. I was fascinated by how NVC begins with observation, unfolding layers of understanding, and creating a common ground in spite of apparent differences, moving beyond right and wrong, and speaking a language that nurtures both individual and collective well-being.

During my Certification Process, I deepened my awareness and exploration of my feelings, needs, my freedom, which is grounded in responsibility, and the impact I have on the world. I learned to consciously choose where and how I want to contribute, while embracing my limits. Thanks to Robert Gonzales, I also learned to embrace the divine energy of needs, discovering a flowing sense of compassion and fulfilment even when my own needs are unmet, which I am still in awe of the strength and peace that arise within me through this connection.

There were moments when I felt self-doubt and noticed how certain limiting beliefs and experiences of power-over influenced my thinking and my definition of life. Passing through each layer, I got more clarity for my longing for living a life aligned with harmony, love, joy, abundance, and freedom/responsibility. This is why I chose to become a trainer to accompany others who are willing to explore a language of life. I completed my certification during a time of war in my country and personal challenges. I felt anger, frustration, sadness, and helplessness, and for the first time, I allowed myself to fully feel and honor all these emotions as part of my humanity. By connecting to the needs beneath them, I discovered a deep sense of compassion, resilience, and clarity for life-serving action. I celebrate having discovered a path that invites me to share, to continue exploring, and to expand my capacity to live and connect in ways that are life-serving, while fostering a deep sense of unity and interconnectedness with all living beings.

[ES] La comunicación no violenta (CNV) ha sido una práctica viva para mí desde el primer momento en que me relacioné con otras personas. Mi primer grupo de práctica en 2018 fue en español, un idioma que no dominaba, pero conecté a través de la empatía y el dar y recibir compasión, incluso sin comprender completamente las palabras. Esto despertó mi curiosidad: ¿cómo podía producirse una conexión tan profunda, más allá del lenguaje? Los principios de la CNV, basados en la empatía y en las acciones que sirven a la vida, resonaron profundamente en mis años de práctica de Vipassana. Me fascinó cómo la CNV comienza con la observación, desplegando capas de comprensión y creando un terreno común a pesar de las diferencias aparentes, yendo más allá del bien y el mal, y hablando un lenguaje que nutre tanto el bienestar individual como el colectivo.

Durante mi proceso de certificación, profundicé en la conciencia y la exploración de mis sentimientos, necesidades, mi libertad basada en la responsabilidad y el impacto que tengo en el mundo. Aprendí a elegir conscientemente dónde y cómo quiero contribuir, al tiempo que acepto mis límites. Gracias a Robert Gonzales, también aprendí a aceptar la energía divina de las necesidades, descubriendo un sentido fluido de compasión y plenitud incluso cuando mis propias necesidades no están satisfechas, y sigo maravillándome de la fuerza y la paz que surgen en mi interior a través de esta conexión.

Hubo momentos en los que sentí dudas sobre mí misma y me di cuenta de cómo ciertas creencias limitantes y experiencias de poder sobre los demás influían en mi forma de pensar y en mi definición de la vida. Al atravesar cada capa, obtuve más claridad sobre mi anhelo de vivir una vida alineada con la armonía, el amor, la alegría, la abundancia y la libertad/responsabilidad. Por eso decidí convertirme en formadora para acompañar a otras personas que están dispuestas a explorar el lenguaje de la vida. Obtuve mi certificación durante un periodo de guerra en mi país y de retos personales. Sentí ira, frustración, tristeza e impotencia, y por primera vez me permití sentir plenamente y honrar todas estas emociones como parte de mi humanidad. Al conectar con las necesidades que había debajo de ellas, descubrí un profundo sentido de compasión, resiliencia y claridad para actuar en beneficio de la vida. Celebro haber descubierto un camino que me invita a compartir, a seguir explorando y a ampliar mi capacidad de vivir y conectar de formas que sirvan a la vida, al tiempo que fomento un profundo sentido de unidad e interconexión con todos los seres vivos.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Ania Mills

I would like to celebrate Khawla's inner power, autonomy, and ability to decide what is best for her with clarity. I also celebrate her openness for feedback and eagerness to discover new ideas and skills. I appreciate her humor and her training skills. I have seen her powerful empathy skills and ability to honestly share her pain, being a model and inspiration for others. 

From Khawla:

My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) began at a moment when I was searching for a different way to relate to myself and to others, especially when we don't get along. With Palestinian and Dutch roots, I learned early that emotions are lived and expressed differently across cultures, and this shaped my sensitivity to what is spoken and what remains unspoken. Later, my Buddhist practice, including a year of silent retreat, taught me why compassion matters and why meeting life with presence is essential. Yet it was NVC that taught me how to live that wisdom in daily life, in dialogue, in conflict, hands-on with both feet in the mud. Buddhism gave me the view, NVC gave me the path.

Encountering NVC was the biggest turning point in how I understood emotions and connection. It helped me heal my own emotional pains by showing me how to listen to myself with kindness and clarity. I began to recognise the needs behind reactions that once confused or overwhelmed me. It was a personal awakening that softened old patterns, restored trust in my inner world, and opened new possibilities for genuine connection that the people around me and I are grateful for.

The Certification Process deepened all of this in very practical ways. It invited me on a path that supported looking honestly at my habits, my blind spots, and the moments where I protected my vulnerability. I learned a great deal from the trainers and Assessors who guided and challenged me with clarity and care, from my fellow candidates who showed up with sincerity and an open heart, with whom beautiful friendships have formed along the way. I especially valued the feedback on my trainings, because it helped me see both the areas where I could grow and the qualities I already brought with confidence. The intervision and supervision supported me in becoming more grounded and more intentional in how I guide others. Throughout the process I could feel that I was not only developing as a trainer, I was also continuing to heal and mature as a person supported by an entire community.

I cherish the sense of belonging that I found in this community and the space that it offers me to bring all my brokenness and wholeness. Becoming a Certified Trainer feels like coming home to a community that speaks the language of compassion and humanity. I am grateful for the journey, the challenges, and the transformation it invited in me.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Thera Balvers

I'm celebrating that Fatima is my first candidate of Moroccan descent. Her background is in law studies, and she is working for Foreign Affairs in the Netherlands. Fatima worked intensively and with a strong dedication to her own personal healing, to create more health for herself, as well as supporting her 3 boys to become stable and wise personalities. In my impression she did an amazing job, I'm incredibly impressed by her wisdom, resilience, dedication and perseverance. She dared to go through deep pain and is capable of standing on her feet again. Now she shares a lot of her development and wisdom with her environment (work, family, cultural background).

Fatima has absolute awareness where her growth and development still can continue, as focusing on met needs and embrace those fully, and to develop her self-esteem more and more. I believe her wisdom, intelligence, sensitivity, and gentleness, in combination with strength, will contribute to the work of CNVC. I fully trust her awareness and continuation of her development. It was a gift to walk together with Fatima on her certification journey and very enriching for myself.

From Fatima:

I began my journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) in early 2020. From the first trainings, I experienced NVC not only as a communication model, but as a consciousness that invited me into deeper self-connection, compassion, and responsibility. Over the past years, with more than 90 days of training, NVC has gradually become an integrated part of how I relate to myself and others. A central aspect of my journey has been learning to meet my inner dialogue with empathy. Through self-empathy, I have softened patterns of shame, self-judgment, and disconnection rooted in earlier life experiences. This inner shift has profoundly influenced my relationships, particularly as a mother of three, where naming feelings and needs has brought more clarity, trust, and mutual understanding into daily family life.

My Certification Process unfolded alongside a professional transition from working as a lawyer to becoming an organizational adviser/team coach. This shift reflected my wish to bring NVC into organizational contexts where pressure, hierarchy, and conflict are common. The certification journey itself required patience, commitment, and honesty. The process—especially the portfolio—invited me into depth and integration, asking not only what I teach, but from where. At times, it was demanding to hold this process alongside work and family life. At the same time, it supported me in grounding my teaching more firmly in lived experience and embodiment. For me, certification represents an ongoing commitment to living NVC as a practice of awareness, humility, and service, rather than a destination or title.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Marianne Sikor

[EN] Leire registered with me as a Certification Candidate in 2020 and we have been in regular contact about her learnings in teaching, living and knowing Nonviolent Communication (NVC). During two mentoring- and assessment days (4 days each), Leire also was supported in her process with 360 degree feedback by my team members Constanza and Gerardo, by some Certified Trainers from Spain and our Certification Candidate community.

I celebrate a lot that Leire will be one of the first Basque language trainers. Speaking this language Euskera she can reach people in the Basque Country who are not able or willing to attend workshops in Spanish. Leire is working as a lawyer, running a law firm together with Elena Egiguren Ezkerro, another newly Certified Trainer from this year's assessment event. I value very much their commitment to restorative justice and to mediation. I especially celebrate that they are offering NVC training to lawyers to widen their impact to change the system. I value this a lot as a contribution to social change.

While accompanying Leire I really enjoyed her process of integrating NVC. I remember her sharing various internal processes and it contributed to a deep trust in her skills of self-empathy, self-expression and empathy for others. I celebrate how she is living NVC in her family with a huge commitment to enable her children to grow up in a NVC atmosphere. In her workshops in person and online I enjoyed her clarity, her joyfulness and the depth of the processes. Leire is holding connections to several people in the Spanish NVC network and is building up regional collaboration with two other CT's living in the Basque Country. I am delighted to welcome her to the international community of certified trainers! Welcome, Leire!

[ES] Estoy encantada de terminar con Leire su proceso y celebrar su certificación. Se registró conmigo en 2020 y hemos estado en contacto regularmente para hablar sobre su aprendizaje en la enseñanza, la vivencia y el conocimiento de la CNV. Durante dos días de tutoría y asesoramiento (4 días cada una), Leire también recibió apoyo en su proceso con feedback de 360 grados por parte de los miembros de mi equipo Constanza y Gerardo, de varios formadores certificados de España y de nuestra comunidad de candidatxs.

Me alegra mucho que Leire sea una de las primeras formadoras en Euskera, la lengua vasca. Al hablar este idioma, puede llegar a personas del País Vasco que no pueden o no quieren asistir a talleres en español. Leire trabaja como abogada y dirige un bufete junto con Elena Egiguren Ezkerro, otra formadora recién certificada en la evaluación de este año. Valoro mucho su compromiso con la justicia restaurativa y la mediación. Me alegro especialmente de que ofrezcan formación en CNV a abogados para ampliar su impacto y cambiar el sistema. Lo valoro mucho como contribución al cambio social.

Mientras acompañaba a Leire, disfruté mucho de su proceso de integración de la CNV. Recuerdo que compartió varios procesos internos y eso contribuyó a una profunda confianza en sus habilidades de auto-empatía, auto-expresión y empatía hacia los demás. Celebro cómo está viviendo la CNV en su familia con un enorme compromiso para que sus hijos crezcan en un ambiente de CNV. En sus talleres presenciales y online disfruté de su claridad, su alegría y la profundidad de los procesos. Leire mantiene contactos con varias personas de la red española de CNV y está estableciendo una colaboración regional con dos formadoras certificadas que viven en el País Vasco. ¡Con mucha alegría le doy la bienvenida a la comunidad internacional de formadores certificados! ¡Bienvenida, Leire!

From Leire:

[EN] My journey with Nonviolent Communication has been one of continuous discovery. I have learned that theory is meaningless if we do not constantly check our intentions. It is about understanding ourselves from the heart and seeing ourselves as compassionate beings taking care of our own needs (sometimes in tragic ways). I especially value the importance of self-connection first, as a primary tool, before beginning to take steps toward the outside world (both in listening and in expression). I take with me the importance of pausing, breathing, and looking inward—identifying our own body signals as signs of life.

Regarding the Certification Process, I am grateful that through it I have been able to know myself more deeply and to identify my automatic patterns, my wounds, and my projections. Focusing on key distinctions has helped me organize ideas and thoughts that, for a long time—even within the certification process itself—had confused my mind. I also deeply celebrate my openness in my journal entries. I am aware that I described difficult and vulnerable moments from my childhood, knowing that at some point someone would read them and discover the girl I once was—sensitive, innocent, and without armor.

[ES] Mi viaje con la Comunicación Noviolenta ha sido un continuo descubrir. He descubierto que la teoría carece de sentido si no chequeamos constantemente cual es nuestra intención. Se trata de entenderse desde el corazón y vernos como seres compasivos cuidando de nuestras propias necesidades ( a veces de forma trágica). Me quedo con la importancia de la autoconexión primero, como herramienta estrella, antes de empezar a dar los primeros pasos al mundo exterior ( tanto en forma de escucha como expresión). Me llevo la importancia de parar, respirar y mirar hacia dentro... identificar nuestras propias señales corporales como señales de vida. En cuanto al proceso de certificación, agradezco que gracias al mismo he podido conocerme más profundamente he identificar mis automatismos, mis heridas y mis proyecciones.

Enfocarme en las diferenciaciones clave me ha permitido ordenar las ideas y los pensamientos que durante mucho tiempo, ya dentro del propio proceso de certificación, confundía mi mente. Celebro mucho también mi apertura en las entradas del díario. Soy consciente que he descrito momentos duros y vulnerables de mi infancia a sabiendas que en algún momento alguien los leería y descubriría a aquella niña que fui, sensible, inocente y sin coraza.

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Marianne Sikor

[EN] Elena was registered as a Certification Candidate with me in 2018, and we have been in regular contact about her learning in teaching, living, and knowing Nonviolent Communication (NVC). During two mentoring and assessment days (4 days each), Elena also was supported in her process with 360 degree feedback by my team members Constanza and Gerardo, by some Certified Trainers from Spain and our candidate community.

I celebrate a lot that Elena will be one of the first Basque language trainers. Speaking this language Euskera she can reach people in the Basque Country who are not able or willing to attend workshops in Spanish. Elena is working as a lawyer, running a law firm together with Leire Inza Mungia, another newly Certified Trainer from this year's assessment event. I value very much their commitment to restorative justice and to mediation. I especially celebrate that they are offering NVC training to lawyers to widen their impact to change the system. I value this a lot as a contribution to social change.

While working with Elena I appreciated her empathy skills and her capacity for self-empathy and self-expression. Seeing her offering workshops in person and online let me trust her trainer skills and her ability to foster connection. Elena is holding connections to several people in the Spanish NVC network and is building up regional collaboration with two other Certified Trainers living in the Basque Country. I'm really looking forward to seeing her announced as a member of our CNVC trainer network and am looking forward to her contributions. Welcome, Elena!

[ES] Estoy encantada de celebrar con Elena su certificación. Se registró conmigo en 2018 y hemos mantenido un contacto regular sobre su aprendizaje en la enseñanza, la vivencia y el conocimiento de la CNV. Durante dos días de tutoría y asesoramiento (4 días cada una), Elena también recibió apoyo en su proceso con feedback de 360 grados por parte de los miembros de mi equipo Constanza y Gerardo, de varios formadores certificados de España y de nuestra comunidad de candidatos.

Me alegra mucho que Elena sea una de las primeras formadoras en Euskera, la lengua vasca. Al hablar este idioma, puede llegar a personas del País Vasco que no pueden o no quieren asistir a talleres en español. Elena trabaja como abogada y dirige un bufete junto con Leire Inza Mungia, otra formadora recién certificada en la evaluación de este año. Valoro mucho su compromiso con la justicia restaurativa y la mediación. Me alegra especialmente que ofrezcan formación en CNV a abogados para ampliar su impacto y cambiar el sistema. Lo valoro mucho como contribución al cambio social.

Mientras trabajaba con Elena, aprecié su capacidad de empatía y su capacidad de auto-empatía y auto-expresión. Verla impartir talleres en persona y en línea me permitió confiar en sus habilidades como formadora y en su capacidad para fomentar la conexión. Elena mantiene conexiones con varias personas de la red española de CNV y está estableciendo una colaboración autonómica con dos formadoras certificadas que viven en el País Vasco. ¡Bienvenida, Elena, en nuestra red de formadores de CNVC, espero con ilusión tus contribuciones!

From Elena:

[EN] I discovered Nonviolent Communication after the birth of our second daughter, through Nerea Mendizabal’s parenting school. Wanting to learn more about NVC, I began taking courses with different trainers (Pilar de la Torre, Franzi Rautemberg, David Dasaro, Gerardo Sánchez, Marianne Silkor, among others). I can say that NVC marked a clear before and after in my life. At first, my interest was focused on improving my relationship with myself, with my partner, with my children, with my parents, and with my sisters; later, I focused on applying it in my work as a lawyer and mediator (I have participated in the MEDIATE YOUR LIFE program twice). It brings great meaning and coherence to the way I accompany the people who come to our firm.

Regarding my process, at the beginning my goal was to “achieve certification” in about a year. Later, I realized that it was a deep process and that it made no sense to rush it. I chose to go through the process consciously, wanting to enjoy each step and the people I met along the way. Several years passed (seven years), and something shifted within me. There came a moment when I clearly perceived that it was time to close this process, and I focused on completing the requirements for certification.

I celebrate all the energy and time dedicated to the process and feel deep gratitude for the support of Marianne (Assessor), Franzi (mentor), and each of the people who accompanied me along this learning journey. I am very happy to have been able to walk alongside my colleague Leire Inza. I value the companionship, support, ease, coherence, and friendship.

[ES] Conocí la CNV tras el nacimiento de nuestra segunda hija, en la escuela para padres y madres de Nerea Mendizabal. Quise saber más sobre CNV y comencé a realizar cursos con diferentes formadores/as (Pilar de la Torre, Franzi Rautemberg, David Dasaro, Gerardo Sánchez, Marianne Silkor, ...). Puedo decir que la CNV marcó un antes y un después en mi vida. Al principio mi interés se centraba en mejorar la relación conmigo misma, con mi pareja, con mis hijos, con mi padre-madre, hermanas... y despúes me enfoque en su aplicación en mi trabajo como abogada y mediadora (he participado en el programa MEDIATE YOUR LIFE dos veces). Le da mucho sentido y coherencia a mi manera de acompañar a las personas que se acercan a nuestro despacho.

En relación a mi proceso, al principio tenía como objetivo "conseguir la certificación" en un año aproximadamente. Después me di cuenta de que era un proceso profundo y que no tenía sentido querer hacerlo deprisa. Opté por transitar el proceso de forma consciente, queriendo disfrutar de cada paso y de las personas que iba encontrando en el camino. Pasaron unos años (7 años) y algo cambio dentro de mi. Llego un momento en el que percibí con claridad que era momento de cerrar este proceso y me enfoque en completar los requisitos para la certificación.

Celebró toda la energía y tiempo dedicados al proceso y siento mucho agradecimiento por el acompañamiento de Marianne (asesora), Franzi (mentora) y cada una de las personas que he tenido alrededor en este camino de aprendizaje. Muy contenta por haber podido caminar junto a mi compañera de trabajo Leire Inza. Valoro la compañía, el apoyo, la facilidad, la coherencia, la amistad...

FROM THE ASSESSOR, Stephanie Bachmann Mattei

[EN] I am deeply pleased to introduce Rosaria De Lillo as a newly Certified Trainer in Italy (Modena area). We first met in 2022 during a course I was offering on key distinctions, at a time when I was deeply immersed in writing the book The Heart of Nonviolent Communication. I remember with gratitude how inspiring our exchanges were: the reflections shared with Rosaria nourished my creativity and contributed to the emergence of important nuances in the chapters.

Three years later, I celebrate with joy and appreciation her steady presence within the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) candidate community I serve in Italy. I have had the privilege of witnessing her growth in understanding Nonviolent Communication and of listening to the many practical applications she has brought—and continues to bring—into the classes she teaches. For me, Rosaria is an example of how NVC can take concrete form in the environments in which we live and work every day. Her presence fills me with trust: it reminds me that systems can transform from within, becoming more alive and in service of life, without waiting for external intervention. NVC applied rather than taught!

[IT] Sono profondamente lieta di presentare Rosaria De Lillo come nuova formatrice certificata sul territorio italiano (Modenese). Il nostro incontro risale al 2022, durante un corso che offrivo sulle differenze chiave, proprio mentre ero immersa nella stesura del libro The Heart of Nonviolent Communication. Ricordo con gratitudine quanto i nostri scambi fossero fonte di ispirazione: le riflessioni condivise con Rosaria alimentavano la mia creatività e contribuivano alla nascita di sfumature importanti nei capitoli.

A distanza di tre anni, celebro con gioia e riconoscenza la sua presenza costante nella comunità di candidati CNV che servo in Italia. Ho avuto il privilegio di assistere alla sua crescita nella comprensione della Comunicazione Nonviolenta e di ascoltare le molteplici applicazioni pratiche che ha portato e che continua a portare nelle classi in cui insegna. Rosaria per me e' un esempio di come la CNV possa prendere forma concreta negli ambienti in cui viviamo e lavoriamo ogni giorno. La sua presenza mi nutre di fiducia: mi ricorda che i sistemi possono trasformarsi dall’interno, diventando più vivi e al servizio della vita, senza attendere interventi esterni. La CNV applicata piuttosto che insegnata!

From Rosaria:

[EN] I discovered Nonviolent Communication through a school-based training and was deeply captivated by it. I see the great potential of NVC and strive to embody it in my daily life. Since 2017, I have participated consistently in trainings, workshops, and gatherings in order to practice it—practice it—practice it.

[IT] Ho conosciuto la CNV in una formazione scolastica, ne sono rimasta profondamente rapita. Vedo il grande potenziale della Comunicazione Nonviolenta e provo quotidianamente ad incarnarla. Ho partecipato in modo continuativo ,dal 2017, a formazioni, laboratori, incontri al fine di praticarla, praticarla, praticarla.

From the Assessor, Ania Mills

I have the pleasure to accompany Bartosz on his certification path. I appreciate his motivation and persistence throughout this journey. I appreciate Bartosz's skills of self-connection, calmness, and trust in himself that inspire people around him. I am grateful for the co-creation and learning together in partnership in the last few years. I am very happy to recommend Bartosz to join us as a Certified Trainer.

from Bartosz:

My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and the Certification Process is a path of deepening awareness. Thanks to the guidance of NVC, it has become clearer and more coherent for me, while at the same time, it has no end. It is a living process that continues to unfold and invites me into ever greater awareness.

from the assessor, Ania Mills

Sylvia has been involved with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) for many years now. Thousands of people have already learned about NVC from her. I want to celebrate her eagerness to go back to the basics together and find new depth in this collaboration. I enjoyed how we both worked in the Certification Process working in partnership. I enjoy the ease in your empathy skills and ability to express yourself, even when things get difficult.

from Sylwia:

My relationship with Nonviolent Communication began unexpectedly - and, honestly, with mixed intentions. I first encountered NVC in a workshop with Marta Sikorska in 2013, and soon after I joined the first cohort of the Postgraduate NVC Program at Collegium Civitas (2015-16). At the time, I was a mother of three young children, overwhelmed by the daily intensity of parenting and professional work, and I secretly hoped NVC would help others “do what I want” while I could still feel like a good mother and employee.

NVC did something different. It didn’t “fix” others - it transformed me. It cracked open my belief that conflict meant failure, and slowly taught me to look underneath reactions for what is alive: feelings, needs, and the longing for connection. As I practiced, I began choosing connection over control, responsibility over blame, and inner honesty over “perfect language.” During my studies I also made a radical professional decision: I left work that felt misaligned and committed to making NVC the center of my life and livelihood: as a mediator, coach, and facilitator.

My certification journey has been a long, formative deepening: sustained training with multiple Certified Trainers, mediation pathways and embodiment-focused learning, mentoring, and an International Intensive Training in Poland (Mikorzyn, 2024). I practiced “sharing NVC” in many contexts: supporting families, educators, and organizations, while collecting feedback, keeping journal, and refining my ability to stay present and empathic. What feels most meaningful to me about becoming certified is the commitment to transparency and coherence: to keep aligning what I teach with how I live, in community, and in service of a world where everyone’s needs matter.

from the Assessor, Thera Balvers

I am celebrating Mary-Leen Vanderplas as a new Certified Trainer. Leen has a background in psychology and works with children. I have experienced our journey together as enriching. Leen was open to diving deep into herself and reflecting on her possible blind spots. When she is in disconnection with herself, she can lose her grounding, and Leen is fully aware of this, she is capable of asking for help in such cases.

Leen had the courage to continue her process, even while the English language was a huge stretch for her. I’m impressed by her resilience and dedication to NVC. I see how her wisdom, playfulness, and depth can contribute to CNVC's work. I fully trust her awareness and her ongoing development. It was a gift to work with her and also very enriching for me.

from Mary-Leen:

My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) started in January 2013, and from the first moment, I felt deeply touched. It felt as coming home, and a deep longing arose to know and integrate NVC in its essence. In my group practice, Jaspis, where I have been working since 1996 as a psychotherapist, I experienced the power and value of NVC in my work with:

• adults who found their way back home in connection with themselves and discovered how to take ownership of their lives
• children and their parents who found a connection on a deeper level and resolved conflicts together
• partners who transformed conflicts in the language of needs and could listen to each other again without or with less criticism and judgments.

In 2014, I started to integrate basic training of NVC in my group practice. Given my work as a child therapist, I started providing basic trainings in 2015 at the request of the schools I worked with. This path led to the development of a 3-year program for schools: First of all, the teachers of a school learn to integrate the principles of Nonviolent Communication for themselves and in the school culture to then afterwards pass these principles to the children in their classroom and learn them to support each other in conflict situations.

For a long time, I did my work ‘in silence’, afraid to become visible. Because of my need for more deepening and integration of NVC, and to contribute to a world where all needs matter, I started my path of certification. During my Certification Process, I learned gradually that I am constantly on a journey and that all (seemingly accidental) circumstances in life are ‘working together’ to support me (and other people) in growth. I learned that being connected with my heart and expressing myself honestly in my vulnerability connects me with life itself. My (internal) jackals became milder, and I gave myself permission to be human again and to ask for support when needed. Step by step, I learned to surrender to the low of life and trust that there is something bigger than ourselves that carries us all'.