In different roles; as independent trainer, educator, social scientist, community builder or as leader of In Touch Amsterdam I am involved in:

• Non-formal education programs – in and out of school systems, children, youth, adults – life long learning- using art, theater (Boal – theater of the oppressed), movement, voice, drawing, etc.
• Research projects – international, local
• Experimental learning – creating learning spaces, connections, interdisciplinary exchange, cross – cultural dialogue & co-creation
• Community building – international, local
• Social gardening

Main areas, domains:

trust(building), safety, diversity, intercultural communication

gender/sexuality

power dynamics, empowerment in relationships and in communities

cross-generational dialogue, personal cultural heritage, sustainable social networks

community building, community learning; via down to earth, simple means, such as cooking, gardening, building together (see running projects)

one of the core of our work is redefining concepts such as: home, community, sustainability, care, connectedness with nature. We are about finding and providing the space for people to get access to their core, general wellbeing; the mental and physical health of individuals and groups. We facilitate individual and group processes helping people to get access to the sense of grounding and belonging – two basic human needs

exploring basic human concepts and current human conditions such as shelter, the importance of the physical space in our wellbeing, power dynamics and capitalist logic around space (physical, cultural, mental, etc.) – issues of ownership vs custodianship, individualistic, hierarchical vs co-operative, horizontal systems

exploring and redefining the concepts of learning and work; we facilitate processes where people get a better understanding of their genuine motivation ( not only earning money) in working and studying (new things), life long learning, to experience the satisfaction and empowerment by creating something with their hands; by these processes giving back the sense of meaningfulness at individual and group level, which we believe, encourages people to get engaged in a joyful and respectful way with their lives: with the activities they do, their work, study, their body, their relationships, physical environment

in our work we also explore how the institutions of the establishment can co-operate with grass root, off grid initiatives in a constructive way. how university students can find their ways in “real life”? how older generations can become useful members of societies? how can we learn from each other regardless our age, cultural background, race, social status? and also the contrary, how diversity helps us to build and maintain sustainability and healthy balance instead of the stress of constant growth and consumption…

In which ways I work? Do you want to work with me? Work with us!

We offer workshops, series of workshops, training programs, consultancy to educational institutions, schools, universities.

We provide one-o-one or group sessions, consultancy to individual professionals or companies, such as social workers, community builders, teachers, adult educators, nurses, languages teachers, all kinds of professionals working with culturally diverse groups.

We participate in research or educational networks such as Erasmus + programmes.

We facilitate community processes; we create the space for simple daily, practical, hand-made and full body experience where we give a guidance in the learning process with reflection, holding the space, building up safety and trust in the groups. We create, and maintain a garden together, build a shed, build a community earth oven, fix bikes, cook, make murals together…(see our running projects as examples)

Methodology

If you want to work with me please be aware of my approach and work ethics which is an inclusive and dialogical process work. You might have been noticed that I often use the “we” term. Usually I don’t work alone, but in different constellations with professional colleagues, partners, activists or community members. I see my role as facilitator. More about the methodological background you can read:  intimacy, interaction, power methodology worked out by the colleagues of In Touch.