Souleiman KASSOUHA (PhD) is a psychologist and professor of psychology of communication at the University of Damascus, and an international trainer with the Canadian Institute for Conflict Resolution.
My journey with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) began serendipitously, evolving into a profound resonance, akin to discovering a way of being that deeply connected with my soul and spirit.
During my Master‘s research in Psychology in 2002, I focused on “Non-verbal Communication” (NVC). I often encountered search results for “Nonviolent Communication” and initially dismissed them for four months, assuming they were irrelevant to my study. It was this intriguing overlap in abbreviations that eventually piqued my curiosity, leading me to explore the principles of Nonviolent Communication. This discovery marked a pivotal moment, igniting a deep resonance with NVC’s transformative potential and embarking me on a new path. This deep personal commitment is the bedrock of my work.
I am dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to cultivate meaningful relationships through cooperation, recognizing that true fulfillment stems from contributing to others’ lives with compassion. My expertise extends to Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) and Trauma-Informed Care (TIC), allowing me to apply NVC principles effectively in complex, conflict-affected environments, ensuring that communication approaches contribute to healing and resilience.
A cornerstone of my commitment to NVC is TAATOF Foundation, which I co-founded in 2022. Born from the onset of the war in Syria, TAATOF is dedicated to promoting compassionate and honest dialogue across all facets of life, from personal interactions to conflict resolution. Our projects like “Peace Stories from Our Syria” and “Syria in Our Eyes,” extend NVC principles to schoolchildren, youth, and communities, utilizing storytelling and photography to foster dialogue and strengthen social cohesion in post-conflict settings.
My unwavering commitment is to advance compassionate communication and expand the reach of NVC, particularly in regions affected by conflict. My work aims to build capacity for systemic, long-term change, fostering a more empathetic and peaceful world. Souleiman is committed to spreading the NVC in the Arabic region.