Mediator's philosophy

Photograph: Stefan Wiede

Education

MA Nordic Philology, Political Science, Psychology, Christian Albrechts Universität of Kiel, completed with "excellent". Masters thesis on family conflicts and their connection with social change.
Certified mediator (standard according to the German law on mediation), ImKonsens.
Certified Intercultural trainer, IKUD Seminare / dgikt e.V.
Co-Trainer in Kingian nonviolence, Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies.
Further training, among others Johan Galtung's advanced conflict analysis, Transcend-Peace-University, Dynamic Facilitation, Forum Demokratie Düsseldorf, Leadership and Management, Haufe Akademie, and Transaction Analysis, Rheinmediation. I also have a basic understanding of concepts such as critical whiteness und Healing Solidarity.

Professional experience

More than 15 years as a projectmanager in international projects within civil society, private sector and public administration.
For 5 years I have been a teamleader at Servicestelle Kommunen in der Einen Welt, Engagement Global. Engagement Global is an implementing organisation of Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. My teams are facilitating municipal partnerships with Eastern Europe and Ukraine. At Engagement Global, I also serve as a conflict advisor for conflicts at the workplace.
Since 2024, as advisory board member of Southern Africa Refugee-Led Network (SARLN), I have been voluntarily supporting a refugee organisation in South Africa among others on managing conflict between their member organisations.
I have been working as an advisor to NGOs for more than five years, among others on transformation, enhancing employees' creativity and productivity and on establising a new office.
Facilitation of dialogue processes with conflict actors (quiet diplomacy), working with in a context of trauma and crisis, research on and documentation of mediation, action research.
Facilitation of training workshops, conferences and study trips.
Volunteer mediator for students and families.

Publications

Conflict management training manual

Caesar, K., Nibayubahe, E. & Nahimana, E. (2014): La gestion des conflicts – manuel de formation. WFD/MIPAREC, Bujumbura.

Contribution to a book on civil conflict management

Caesar, K. (2013): Leuchttürme ziviler Konfliktbearbeitung. (Beacons of civil conflict management). In Andreas Heinemann-Grüder, Isabella Bauer (eds.) Zivile Konfliktbearbeitung. Zwischen Anspruch und Wirklichkeit. Berlin: Budrich Verlag, pp. 217-232.

Articles, studies, internal working papers

Caesar, Karoline (2025): A Kenyan Mediator’s Perspective on Practice, And Commitment to Impartiality and Empathy. In: Alternatives to the High Cost of Litigation (newsletter of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution https://www.cpradr.org/), vol. 43, no. 7, pp. 118-120
Caesar, Karoline (2024): Interview mit Prof. T. Debey Sayndee, Direktor des Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation (KAICT)
an der Universität von Liberia. In: Lonam. Das Afrika-Magazin, Nr. 5, 19. Jahrgang, (interview with Prof. T. Debey Sayndee, Director of Kofi Annan Institute for Conflict Transformation), pp. 26-27.
Caesar, Karoline (2024): "Vertraue auf die Werkzeuge". Mediatorin Juliane Westphal im Interview. In: Die Mediation. Fachmagazin für Konfliktlösung - Entscheidungsfindung - Kommunikation. Quartal IV 2024 ("Trust in the tools." Mediator Juliane Westphal in interview), pp. 80-83. (Link leads to order page).
Caesar, Karoline (2024): Was tun, wenn es in der Nachbarschaft kriselt? So hilft Mediation. Guest article in: Gemeinschaft stärken. nebenan magazin. Dein Wegweiser für mehr Nachbarschaft (What to do about neighbourhood disputes? This is how mediation helps.)
Caesar, Karoline (2022):"Mediation ist eine Kraft, die die Welt verändern kann." Interview mit Dieudonné Kibinakanwa, Träger des Mietek Pemper Preises der Universität Augsburg für Versöhnung und Völkerverständigung. Spektrum der Mediation Nr.89 ("Mediation is a force that can change the world." Interview with Dieudonné Kibinakanwa, winner of the University of Augsburg's Mietek Pemper Prize for Reconciliation and International Understanding.), pp.10-13.
Caesar, K. (2020): „Mein Traum ist: Wir sind alle Menschen.“ Interview mit Carole Sambale – Mediatorin zwischen den Welten, AfricaPositive, 22. Jahrgang, Nummer 79, ("My dream is: We are all just people." Interview with Carole Sambale - Mediator between worlds) S.32-33.
Caesar, K. (2018): 'A Green Place, A Good Place - a classic in African GreatLakes Region's history – what's in it for today's peacebuilders?' Transconflict.
Caesar, K. (2017): 'Entscheidendes Wissen“ - Rezension von A. Autesserres Peaceland. ('Crucial knowledge' - book review of A. Autesserre's Peaceland) . In: E&Z E-Paper März 2017, pp. 38-39.
Caesar, K., Augustinovic, M., Weinz, I. (2016): Regional strategy for Sub-Saharan Africa. International Relations' department, Robert Bosch Foundation.
Caesar, K. (2015): 'Can community mediation inform conflict resolution approaches in Burundi?' Transconflict.
Caesar, K. (2015): 'The Boon', in Kompass Nr. 4 - Burn On, Weltfriedensdienst.
Caesar, K.& B. Iryivuze (2015): Étude sur la situation actuelle des comités de paix en matière de réseautage. (Study about the peace committees' networks). WFD/MIPAREC, Bujumbura.
Caesar, K., Nahimana, E. & Nibayubahe, E. (2014): Perceptions de la situation sécuritáire dans la zone d'intervention de Mi-PAREC. (Perceptions of the security situation in Mi-PAREC's target area). WFD/ MIPAREC, Bujumbura.
Kemper, B. Schoenegg, G., Rohhardt, C. & K. Caesar (2014): Stratégie pays du Service Civil pour la Paix, Burundi. (Burundi country strategy, German Civil Peace Service).
Caesar, K (2014): 'Marc Ndarigendane – a Burundian peacemaker'. Transconflict.
Caesar, K. (2011): Civil Society and Good Governance in Malawi. Lilongwe.
Caesar, K. (2011): Volunteer Survey. National Initiative for Civic Education.
Caesar, K. (2008): Migration and national identity - analysing head scarf debates in Germany and Denmark.

My "why"

Ever since I had been to the USA as exchange student with Youth for Understanding (that was in 1994) I have always strived to know other cultures at a deeper level. In total, I have spent eight years abroad and have been working internationally for 14 years. My role models are my former Malawian and Burundian colleagues whom I owe until today - they have modeled conflict transformation for me over and over again in every day life, and they have inspired me until today moderating and mediating in a profound way building trust. I would also like to give something back from the hospitality of my hosts and the openness and empathy of my international partners. I am convinced that we all benefit from open and trustworthy interaction with one another.