by Mary Cullen

Nonviolent Communication: a language of life. Marshall B Rosenberg, PuddleDancer Press, 2015

Nonviolent communication (NVC) is a tool for resolving conflicts that can be found in a wide range of settings, from football coaching and family therapy to the global concerns of the UN.  It was developed by psychologist Marshall Rosenberg in the 1960s and 70s as a way of finding common ground ‘with anyone, anywhere, at any time, both personally and professionally’. His book, which has sold over six million copies worldwide, sets out the principles of NVC and how it can be used in a range of settings.

The UN examined how NVC could help deliver its commitment to international peace and sustainable development as part of a week-long exploration of Emotional Intelligence in 2019.  ‘What if there were a tool that could help countries avoid war and heal post-conflict, help communities work more closely together and help people have better interpersonal relationships, care more about their environment, and be better global citizens?’  NVC it suggested, could be part of the answer. It could help practitioners reframe how they express themselves, how they hear others and how they resolve conflicts by refocussing on what they are observing, feeling, needing and requesting. ‘Through Nonviolent Communication, conflict resolution becomes easier, avoiding simple disputes and resolving difficult ones more effectively’ (UN Academic Impact).

Mary Cullen is the former editor of Open House.