Saleem, Trustee and Advisor
Saleem was born in Nairobi, Kenya and studied at the University of Geneva, graduating in Political Science and International Relations in 1976. Having lived in different countries (Kenya, Switzerland, Italy and France, where he has now settled), Saleem has integrated aspects of these various cultures, which have all impacted him deeply. Beyond these cultural labels, he has a passion for discovering what is universal as well as unique in each person he meets.
After graduation, Saleem went to Drama School and also taught and practiced Aïkido, a Japanese martial art, for many years. Since 1985, he has been involved as a full-time corporate trainer, working for major French companies and leading seminars in Negotiation Skills and Public Speaking Skills.
Saleem’s encounter with Marshall Rosenberg and NVC in 2000 was a major paradigm shift, both in his personal and professional lives. He immediately integrated NVC in his corporate seminars and created a seminar called “Empower your Interpersonal Skills,” in which he integrates Aïkido, NVC and improvisation techniques. This seminar has become a key reference for managers in one of the multinationals where he works, and it has gradually led to a change in vision and the implementation of a new win-win culture.
Saleem has been involved in NVC-India since 2006, wanting to contribute to its growth, empowerment and autonomy. He feels deeply honoured and privileged to contribute to the spread of NVC in the country of his origins and to build a bridge of support between NVC-India and the French-speaking NVC network.
Mili, Trustee and Project Manager from Delhi
Mili was introduced to NVC in September of 2009. After being deeply inspired by the teaching of NVC, shared by Saleem at a workshop, she went on to further her learning of NVC and the role it played in all aspects of life. NVC gave her a way to connect with the world and with her own self that was enriching, meaningful, real and empowering.
Her desire to contribute toward NVC and INVCI started with the idea of opening a Centre in Delhi where future NVC workshops could be held and NVC trainers could come and stay. This Centre became a reality in February 2010, and since then serves this purpose.
Mili completed her study in Visual Communication and Graphic Arts in London and freelances as a Graphic Artist in her free time. She looks forward to bringing in her artistic side in her sharing of NVC and enjoys connecting in English, Hindi and Bengali.
‘Oneness and the power of Being or Presence’ is deeply rooted in her awareness and this is what connects her core being with the consciousness of NVC.
She feels deeply honored and humbled in being a part of INVCI and in sharing NVC with all and dedicates her life in serving humanity so as to co-create bridges and connections, leading to self-empowerment, harmony and enrichment of existence itself.
Ayesha, Friend and Project Manager from Kolkata
Ayesha’s journey with NVC started in 2006, when she was first introduced to the tool in a Wenlido workshop. Ayesha was amazed to discover that it is actually possible to connect within; that it is possible to see, hear, understand and thus retain agency; that it is actually possible to make authentic and deep connections; that it is possible to transform negativity into positive energies. Ayesha realised that she had come across a valuable tool, and that it could potentially enrich her journey towards transforming powerlessness.
Ayesha helped start up and worked for several years at a gender resource centre in Kolkata, and she has been involved in the women’s movement, regionally and nationally. At the moment, Ayesha’s work includes organizing trainings, research and documentation in collaboration with various NGOs and international organisations. She also started a non-profit organisation, Talash, which aims to transform powerlessness and vulnerability among children, adolescents and young adults, support them to develop life skills to prevent sexual violence and fear of sexual violence, provide emotional and physical support to survivors and nurture leadership among young people, so that they can combat powerlessness.
Ayesha’s mission is to live peace, harmony and coherence within, and to work towards bringing peace, harmony, justice and equality to the outer world.
L’aura, Friend and Project Manager from Auroville
L’aura’s love affair with NVC started in November 2007, when Aniruddha was invited to share his passion in Auroville, Tamil Nadu. L’aura experienced it as finally coming home, being able to look inside and connect with her Self within. She was amazed by the authenticity and vulnerability she was able to tap into, and she was amazed by the trust she had in sharing with others and seeing their beauty. L’aura knew that there was no going back…! Her journey since has been intense, attending several NVC workshops with different trainers, attending an IIT with Marshall, as well as organizing and hosting NVC events in Auroville.
L’aura was born and grew up in Auroville, an international community founded in 1968 and striving for Human Unity. Although this is her home, she has also lived, traveled and studied in North America and Europe. L’aura was a high school teacher for 6 years, when she finally quit because she hated being the police-woman! She was discouraged to have not found a way to bring out the students’ freedom and creativity, while being satisfied with their level of commitment and responsibility in return. L’aura doesn’t intend to go back to teaching high school, especially not knowledge-based classes, but she does wonder how she’d do it differently now with NVC as an integral part of her life.
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