Speaker Fleur Ravensbergen has been mediating in some of the world’s most complex conflicts since the age of 25, with the aim of reducing violence. She speaks with terrorists and has spent many years mediating in armed conflicts around the world. She worked on the disarmament of ETA in the Basque Country and has operated in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Libya, Sri Lanka and many other countries.
Fleur negotiates with a wide range of people with blood on their hands and has helped disarm two armed groups. In 2022, she published her book Disarmed, about her life as a peace negotiator in armed conflicts involving groups ranging from the IRA to ISIS. Her goal is to achieve peace, or at least help reduce violence.
Speaker
After years of mediating in some of the world’s most difficult conflicts, Fleur shares the insights she has gained into negotiation, conflict, non verbal communication, listening, polarisation, prejudice and empathy. These lessons can be applied in many different contexts.
Her insights are rooted in negotiations with armed groups, terrorists, rebels and freedom fighters. Her keynotes focus on stories from the field, combined with relatable lessons that can be applied in everyday situations.
As a speaker, Fleur is passionate, candid and thoughtful. She takes audiences into stories about seemingly impossible and unfamiliar situations and invites them to reflect on their wider meaning.
Disarmed
In Disarmed, Fleur Ravensbergen explains how she works and shares her successes and failures, the impact of her work on her family and what drives her. It is a compelling book that explores whether we are all capable of violence and examines fear and perseverance. It also offers guidance to anyone who wants to create change, whether on a large or small scale.
Co Founder of the Dialogue Advisory Group
Fleur is co founder and Deputy Director of the Dialogue Advisory Group, a Dutch foundation that mediates in armed conflicts.
Negotiator
Fleur Ravensbergen has also negotiated in countries including Iraq, Libya and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She helped disarm a group in Northern Ireland and was involved in the disarmament of ETA in the Basque Country following years of negotiations.
Fleur holds master’s degrees in Political Science and Law and periodically teaches at the University of Amsterdam. In her work, she speaks with members of armed groups with the aim of ending violence. She is also the coordinator of the International Verification Commission, which monitors the ceasefire of ETA, the Basque separatist group.