As a project partner, we had the pleasure of taking part in the international training course Into Love: Transforming Reactions into Loving Responses, held in the picturesque municipality of Drusti, Latvia. The event, organized by Miera skola – KALM International Trainings, brought together 31 youth workers from seven European countries.
Over the course of eight days, we explored the approach of Nonviolent Communication (NVC) developed by Marshall Rosenberg, based on four key components:
- observing without evaluating,
- recognizing and naming feelings,
- identifying the needs behind feelings,
- formulating requests instead of demands.
Through this practice, we learn to respond not from habitual reactions but with empathy, awareness, and openness toward others.
As Marshall Rosenberg reminds us:
“Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing.”
The project was carried out with the support of the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union, which promotes the exchange of experiences and the development of key competences in youth work. We are grateful to have been part of this initiative, learning together how to build communication based on respect, understanding, and collaboration.
As part of the project, a guide titled Emotional Regulation was also created, offering a variety of exercises and inspirations for working with young people.
