"Who am I?" As trivial as the question sounds, so complex is the answer. I am - just like everyone else - a collection of everything that has come my way so far and of everyone who inspired me along the way and with whom I went through life together. I am a daughter, sister, partner, mother, friend, colleague, wife. I am a connoisseur, a positive thinker, a dreamer, a doer, a bridge builder. I'm forever learning
One day I got to know Marshall Rosenberg and his ideas of Nonviolent Communication. For me, it became the proverbial thread in my life. It gave extra nourishment to what I learned from my parents: that life belongs to the dreamers, the daredevils and the builders. I now dare to dream out loud of a world in which people see each other beyond judgments and assumptions, in which people remain curious to listen to each other. A world in which we meet in the true sense of the word: not because I have to, but because I choose to. That's why I work under the name "ont-moet" as:
- Trainer in Nonviolent Communication
- Trainer in restorative practices at school
- Student coach at schools
- Mediator in social conflicts (mainly in schools)
- Process facilitator in change processes in organizations
- Hergo moderator (restorative group consultation – mediation form in serious incidents involving young people)
- Teaching Assistant in Classroom Management @School of Education, University of Antwerp
My main motivation behind everything I do is to help build a dream of 'life-enriching education' and, by extension, 'life-enriching growing up' for our young people.
I hope to contribute to more awareness, connection and kindness in the world. I believe that with a good dose of kindness to ourselves and each other, we can give empathy and compassion more opportunities. That in this way we become more aware of the choices we (can) make and that we can celebrate our freedom and responsibility. I trust that doing so we will come to a more peaceful and richer coexistence.
