#007 The profession of the Peace Mediator - meet Dr. Sven Koopmans

#007 The profession of the Peace Mediator - meet Dr. Sven Koopmans

How does an EU Special Representative for the Middle East practice Peace Mediation ? Sven Koopmans is someone who knows and practices in different dimensions, which makes him special: as a jurist, scholar, expert, politician and diplomat, and now the chair for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. A true learning experience also featuring his book.   What is Masterpeace ? A presentation. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the mastery of it. The world is full of conflict — and often deeply confused about how peace is actually made. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is a craft. An art. A skill. And an attitude practiced by people who know how to work with conflict rather than deny it. In Masterpeace, peace mediator Antje Herrberg explores this craft. Some episodes are deep dives into the principles and realities of peace mediation and peacemaking. In others, Antje speaks with remarkable individuals “Masters of Peace” people who, in their own fields, have developed profound ways of navigating conflict and building understanding. These conversations go beyond surface debates. They open a space for reflection, experience, and wisdom about what it really takes to work with conflict in the real world. Each episode begins with a short introduction to the theme, unfolds in an open conversation with the guest, and closes with reflections and lessons learned. Because even in a confused and conflict-ridden world, peace remains something that can be practiced and mastered. Contact: Dr. Antje Herrberg https://www.herrberg.org/ [https://www.herrberg.org/] info@herrberg.org [info@herrberg.org] ‭+49 152 24885606‬ [tel:%E2%80%AD+49%20152%2024885606%E2%80%AC] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antje-herrberg-35726219/]

#006 About and with Amr Moussa: An Arab way of Peacemaking?

In this foundational episode of Masterpeace’s Middle East series, Antje Herrberg speaks with Amr Moussa — former Foreign Minister of Egypt and former Secretary-General of the Arab League — about diplomacy, regional order, and the evolving landscape of peacemaking in the Middle East. The episode explores the role of the Arab League, the legacy of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, Egypt’s historic diplomatic role in the region, and broader traditions of reconciliation and mediation that continue to shape political negotiations today. Rather than offering simplified geopolitical analysis, this conversation reflects on deeper questions of legitimacy, dignity, sovereignty, political memory, and the challenges of sustaining dialogue in times of fragmentation. This episode also serves as the opening framework for a wider Masterpeace series on the Middle East, featuring future conversations with diplomats, mediators, scholars, and practitioners from across the region.    What is Masterpeace ? A presentation. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the mastery of it. The world is full of conflict — and often deeply confused about how peace is actually made. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is a craft. An art. A skill. And an attitude practiced by people who know how to work with conflict rather than deny it. In Masterpeace, peace mediator Antje Herrberg explores this craft. Some episodes are deep dives into the principles and realities of peace mediation and peacemaking. In others, Antje speaks with remarkable individuals “Masters of Peace” people who, in their own fields, have developed profound ways of navigating conflict and building understanding. These conversations go beyond surface debates. They open a space for reflection, experience, and wisdom about what it really takes to work with conflict in the real world. Each episode begins with a short introduction to the theme, unfolds in an open conversation with the guest, and closes with reflections and lessons learned. Because even in a confused and conflict-ridden world, peace remains something that can be practiced and mastered. Contact: Dr. Antje Herrberg https://www.herrberg.org/ [https://www.herrberg.org/] info@herrberg.org [info@herrberg.org] ‭+49 152 24885606‬ [tel:%E2%80%AD+49%20152%2024885606%E2%80%AC] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antje-herrberg-35726219/]

#005 Innovation and Peacemaking: Meet Dr. Martin Wählisch

My guest Dr. Martin Wählisch explores how digital transformation from data analytics to immersive technologies can reshape diplomacy, conflict prevention, and global governance. He has over a decade of very deep experience at the United Nations, including work on peace processes in contexts such as Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen, and leading also the really important innovation cell at the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs in New York, where he brings both deep practical insight and forward-looking thinking to the field. And currently he is Associate Professor of Transformative Technologies, Innovation and Global Affairs at the University of Birmingham with appointments in both government and computer science. Martin describes his approach as computational global affairs, applying advanced technologies to complex international challenges, while at the same time remaining attentive to their ethical and normative implication.    What is Masterpeace ? A presentation. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the mastery of it. The world is full of conflict — and often deeply confused about how peace is actually made. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is a craft. An art. A skill. And an attitude practiced by people who know how to work with conflict rather than deny it. In Masterpeace, peace mediator Antje Herrberg explores this craft. Some episodes are deep dives into the principles and realities of peace mediation and peacemaking. In others, Antje speaks with remarkable individuals “Masters of Peace” people who, in their own fields, have developed profound ways of navigating conflict and building understanding. These conversations go beyond surface debates. They open a space for reflection, experience, and wisdom about what it really takes to work with conflict in the real world. Each episode begins with a short introduction to the theme, unfolds in an open conversation with the guest, and closes with reflections and lessons learned. Because even in a confused and conflict-ridden world, peace remains something that can be practiced and mastered. Contact: Dr. Antje Herrberg https://www.herrberg.org/ [https://www.herrberg.org/] info@herrberg.org [info@herrberg.org] ‭+49 152 24885606‬ [tel:%E2%80%AD+49%20152%2024885606%E2%80%AC] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antje-herrberg-35726219/]

#004 Blind Spots in Mediation: What to see when we are in the dark?

This Episode is a reflection about what we do not see immediately in mediation, which is in between the lines, and beyond the surface. How to work with this. Its a bit special to me as I always have a feeling hat I do not know everything. We never do. Actually there is even more to that. We have recommendations and curious examples. Do you know the Gorilla story? Worth considering it.    What is Masterpeace ? A presentation. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the mastery of it. The world is full of conflict — and often deeply confused about how peace is actually made. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is a craft. An art. A skill. And an attitude practiced by people who know how to work with conflict rather than deny it. In Masterpeace, peace mediator Antje Herrberg explores this craft. Some episodes are deep dives into the principles and realities of peace mediation and peacemaking. In others, Antje speaks with remarkable individuals “Masters of Peace” people who, in their own fields, have developed profound ways of navigating conflict and building understanding. These conversations go beyond surface debates. They open a space for reflection, experience, and wisdom about what it really takes to work with conflict in the real world. Each episode begins with a short introduction to the theme, unfolds in an open conversation with the guest, and closes with reflections and lessons learned. Because even in a confused and conflict-ridden world, peace remains something that can be practiced and mastered. Contact: Dr. Antje Herrberg https://www.herrberg.org/ [https://www.herrberg.org/] info@herrberg.org [info@herrberg.org] ‭+49 152 24885606‬ [tel:%E2%80%AD+49%20152%2024885606%E2%80%AC] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antje-herrberg-35726219/]

#003 The power of Storytelling in Mastering Peace - meet Sarah Noble

What is the magic of storytelling in peace (making, building, reconciliation)? Meet Sarah Noble Head of Global Engagement, Caux Initatives for Change and Curator of Peace Talks, Interpeace. About Sarah: Sarah Noble is a Canadian-born peace advocate and storyteller based in Geneva, Switzerland. She serves as Head of Global Engagement, Creative Peacebuilding & Inner Development at the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, where she leads partnerships and explores the intersection of arts, inner development, and peace through the Caux Forums and Caux Arts and Peace Encounters. Sarah is the host of the Hummingbird Collective Podcast, a series co-produced by the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation and supported through her participation in the Youth for Peace: UNESCO Intercultural Leadership Programme (2025-2026). The show serves as a space for deep conversation with those taking small yet meaningful actions to create a more peaceful and sustainable world. During her tenure at Interpeace, Sarah served in several senior leadership functions, including Chief of Staff and Director of Global Engagement. As a curator and co-founder of the PeaceTalks, she played a key role in building a global platform dedicated to amplifying diverse voices for peace. Since its inception, she has shaped and accompanied PeaceTalks events worldwide, bringing stories of peace to diverse audiences and exploring narrative as a tool for healing and social transformation. With more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications and leadership, Sarah previously served as the Director of External Relations for The New Humanitarian. In this role, she led the organization’s external relations efforts and oversaw its communications portfolio—including the high-profile rebrand from IRIN News to The New Humanitarian. This mission is further echoed in her TEDx talks, Storytelling is Our Real-Life Superpower and The Power of Inner Reflection for a Better Future, where she explores how narratives and self-awareness serve as the foundation for a more hopeful future. Sarah believes that each person has the potential to be like the hummingbird—contributing their part to bring about profound collective change. She is the proud mother of two young children and is deeply motivated by the desire to be a "good ancestor" for future generations. And the hummingbird podcast that Sarah moderates: https://www.iofc.ch/podcast-hummingbird-collective [https://www.iofc.ch/podcast-hummingbird-collective]    What is Masterpeace ? A presentation. Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the mastery of it. The world is full of conflict — and often deeply confused about how peace is actually made. Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is a craft. An art. A skill. And an attitude practiced by people who know how to work with conflict rather than deny it. In Masterpeace, peace mediator Antje Herrberg explores this craft. Some episodes are deep dives into the principles and realities of peace mediation and peacemaking. In others, Antje speaks with remarkable individuals “Masters of Peace” people who, in their own fields, have developed profound ways of navigating conflict and building understanding. These conversations go beyond surface debates. They open a space for reflection, experience, and wisdom about what it really takes to work with conflict in the real world. Each episode begins with a short introduction to the theme, unfolds in an open conversation with the guest, and closes with reflections and lessons learned. Because even in a confused and conflict-ridden world, peace remains something that can be practiced and mastered. Contact: Dr. Antje Herrberg https://www.herrberg.org/ [https://www.herrberg.org/] info@herrberg.org [info@herrberg.org] ‭+49 152 24885606‬ [tel:%E2%80%AD+49%20152%2024885606%E2%80%AC] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antje-herrberg-35726219/]