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An Ocean of Possibilities
2025: Volume 9: Issue 2 ■ Kristina Urbanc We are now in the new issue of ANSE Journal 9-2, dedicated to the Summer University held from August 18th to the 22nd in Munich. In line with the good tradition of the ANSE Journal, in this issue we have also tried to bring the richness and diversity of supervision practice and science closer to our readers in the form of articles, reflections and vignettes and to convey at least some of the dynamics and content that we had the opportunity to experience in Munich this August. This issue of ANSE Journal can truly be called a summer edition, even though you will be reading it in the winter months. By that I mean that it is, above all, diverse, colourful, light but also deep, calming but also stimulating, serious but also playful, but above all, it is rich in metaphors and symbolism, encompassing mythology, flora and fauna, and, as the title of the Summer university itself says, an Ocean of Possibilities. Let us recall that, among many other meanings, the ocean also denotes the place where life on Earth probably began, so I invite you to dive into its depths and explore some of its countless possibilities. Sveindis Anna Jóhannnsdóttir (Iceland) introduces us to this truly diverse and rich issue with a column entitled ‘An Ocean of Possibility – Munich 2025, ANSE Summer University – Everyone matters’, in which she gives her review and impressions of the invited lectures by Katrina Gunther, Vanessa Mae, Philipp Staab and Zeynep Demir. The author of the column draws readers’ attention to how much difference words, content and the way something is said can make. Using a well-known literary character – the girl Polyana – she reminds us of the importance of solidarity and the ability to find something to be glad about in every situation, no matter how bleak it may be. In the Did you know section, Gerian Dijkhuizen informs us about the details of the past Summer University in order to bring readers closer to at least some of the lively and hospitable atmosphere in which the meeting took place. In this issue, Sveindís Anna Jóhannsdóttir has another contribution, an article entitled The Inner Ocean: A Path to Deeper Self-Awareness and Well-Being. Using yet another metaphor, “The Inner Ocean”, as a reflective framework in professional supervision, the author deals with resilience and well-being among professionals, discussing how supervision acts as a preventive measure against burnout but also as a way to empowerment, ethical reflection and sustainable practice. Swiss author Amina Abdulkadir describes her workshop: If You Don’t Like Swimming, Don’t Go Swimming – And Happily Stay On the Shore reflecting about choices of using (or not using) virtual presence in counselling clients, using the „Penguin Metaphor“ which describes a shore as a co-presence. Remaining at the level of stories, metaphors and myths, Josephine Schmitt (Germany) refers to the story of Medusa from Greek mythology, addressing the topic of sexual harassment in the workplace and discussing how professionals and supervisors cannot effectively confront this external culture without first recognising its internalised manifestations within themselves. In her article Rape Culture in Organisations – and Within Ourselves: Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace and Its Impact on Our Work, Josephine Schmitt discusses the existence of victim-blaming strategies and the normalisation of patriarchal violence in professional environments, and the need for critical engagement with the underlying ‘rape culture’ within organisations. German author Lisa Aigner, in her article The Challenge of Complex and Fundamental Decisions in Supervision – Consent Facilitation as a Helpful Method, introduces us to the advantages of the consent facilitation method, which offers supervisors an effective tool for constructively guiding complex and fundamental decision processes. It deals with the method that integrates well-reasoned objections as resources for improving solutions rather than overruling minorities and represents a key competence for making teams and organisations more resilient and capable of action. .... ■
GratisArtificial Intelligence in Supervision and Coaching
2025: Volume 9: Issue 1 ■ Kristina Urbanc As Sijtze de Roos announced in the last issue of Anse Journal, I took over the role of chief editor from him in January 2025. The preparation of this issue began during his term, and this has been a transitional period for me and the members of the editorial board, in which we have, I hope, strived to preserve the mission, standards and ethics of Sijtze’s legacy. This legacy is also evidenced by the recognition he received for his work in April this year, the so-called “lintje” (ribbon, which is a royal reward), also known as the Dutch “lintjesregen” (ribbon rain), in the Netherlands to individuals for their exceptional contribution of volunteer work to society. Also, Sijtze de Roos has been awarded with the Honorary Membership of ANSE – a heartfelt recognition of his exceptional contributions to our European community of supervision1. It was in this atmosphere that the preparation of this issue took place and we hope you will enjoy reading, thinking, learning, wondering, questioning, reflecting, perhaps even gaining some new ideas. A topic such as artificial intelligence and its application in the field of supervision, coaching and in the helping professions is above all a “hot topic”, often associated with ambivalent feelings and a division of opinion (“for” and “against”). Our intention is not to choose sides in this issue, but to exchange experiences and try to prepare as best as possible for the future that is already here. Therefore, I invite you to approach reading this issue from some other perspectives (not only from your own shoes): the perspective of our clients, students, educators, our associates who belong to different generations and the perspective of the general public. And then, observe and listen to what this topic does to you, how it feels in your heart, in your head and how it sits in your stomach, what feelings and thoughts it arouses in you. Could it inspire you to use it in your work as a supervisor or coach? Preparing this issue was challenging for me, both because of the new role I was taking and because of the topic itself, which was awe-inspiring to me. As a university professor in the area of social work, I am aware that every student certainly knows more about it then I do and that they easily apply artificial intelligence tools in almost every written assignment. And then it is up to me to create such learning outcomes and devise ways that will enable future experts to develop and apply their professional competencies in accordance with ethics, law, professional standards and common sense. Whether this is an impossible mission, I do not know, but it is my job not to give up. A few years ago, I was greatly amazed by the comment of a colleague who described the experience of a therapy session with AI (in which she participated as a client) in superlatives – a brilliantly achieved shared understanding of the topic that she brought to therapy. After that I was so blinded by the awe of AI in a helping and supervisory context that I forgot to consider her needs and perspective as a client in this process. It was so hard for me to stop and look at the world from her shoes and rejoice that she had fulfilled her expectations in her conversation with AI. So, as we know, whenever it is unthinkable for us to step into someone else’s shoes and imagine the world from their perspective – it is time for supervision. ... ■
GratisStorytelling and narratives
2024: Volume 8: Issue 2 ■ Sijtze de Roos Since time immemorial, people tell themselves and each other stories; orally, in writing or via radio, TV and social media. We’re sharing tales and stories about who we are or what we strive to be, about our manifold roots or what we retrospectively would prefer those to have been, about our role, function and purpose on this earth, about how we try to understand the nature of existence, or about how to cope with the ominous silence of the universe. Nothing, it seems, hurts us more than indifferent silence, than not having listeners, than not being spoken to. Over time all these - and innumerable other - tales converge, as it were, into more or less dominant narratives that provide us with at least some sort of oversight, support, direction, comfort and meaning. The narratives we exchange vary in scope and shape. They appear as legends and myths, as scientific, philosophical or religious discourses, sometimes as sermons and admonitions and also as would-be objective descriptions. We shape our stories as fairy tales, songs, poems, articles, travelogues, blogs, TV-commercials or graphic novels. With what we tell or write each other, we aspire to shape our world to fit our needs and longings, or to resolve the deep mystery of life and to get a grip on realities that continue to elude us. It is no exaggeration to say that narratives make people: we do not tell stories, we are rather, so to speak, told by stories. Storytelling and narratives are communicative and interactive phenomena between people, created by listeners just as well as by those wo speak, shaping our common humanity for better or for worse, forging relations across great distances and between the present, the future and bygone ages. All this, however, is not to suggest that what we relate to each other is necessarily true. The relationship between tales and reality is indirect, complicated, ambiguous and highly insecure. We are trapped in the limitations of our mental faculties. We may well-meaningly think to speak truthfully, while we are actually led by fallacious storylines, or even deceiving ourselves and each other. And then, of course, there are always tricksters who purposely bend the truth: Reynard the Fox or Brer Rabbit or Old Man Coyote. Or evasive shapeshifters like Loki who lure us away from our own words to violate the order of our narratives. All cultures, past and present, know such archetypical figures by the tales they tell and by those that are told about them. Tales and stories may be told and retold to define what we should believe to be true. Whoever claims the power of definition claims authority over truth. As many of us do so, we see storytellers competing with each other, often even aiming to cancel each other’s story out. With our words we may express our dislike of the narratives of others, or dispute their claim to possible veracity. How truthful, for example, are the many culturally ingrained stories about lone, tough, masculine men, fearlessly walking the streets in the dark of the darkest night, or determined taxi-drivers, cruising mean streets, rooting out crime, shooting all the bad guys and purifying the world for us? Conversely, do tales of humanitarian progression and benign - more in particular female - wisdom and kindness correctly represent the human condition? Do such stories really deliver us from evil? On the other hand: could both narrative varieties not convey some form of truth? Do they compete and cancel each other out? Or could it be that both are symptomatic of ideological distortion and partisan wishful thinking? And why are tales like these so popular? What do they make of us? How does listening to them shape and reshape these stories? ... ■
GratisMore words beyond words – values and identities in an incomprehensible world
2024: Volume 8: Issue 1 ■ Sijtze de Roos Before I go on introducing the content of this issue, I may have to introduce myself again. You may wonder what I am – seemingly all of a sudden – doing on this page, reserved for your usual chief editor Agnes Turner. The reason is this: because of her increased academic responsibilities, Agnes could no longer responsibly combine her professorial duties with the editorial chairmanship of this magazine. We regret letting her go, but not before thanking her for the two successful issues that appeared under her leadership. We wish her all the best for the future and we are sure we will meet her again in the ANSE community, or perhaps as author. And so it was that the ANSE board asked me to temporarily take over the position of chief editor. While we look for a definitive solution, my editorial board colleagues and I will do our best to serve you. And we will of course keep you informed about further developments on this front. And now: what do we have on offer this time? We live, I’m afraid, in a troubled world. The turbulence around - and within - us outmaneuvers our attempts to solve the many interlocking problems we are confronted with and overwhelmed by. We are threatened by self-inflicted climatological disaster, while at the same time wars and terrorism rage seemingly unstoppable all over the planet, in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, where not? Millions of people suffer brutal oppression at the hands of tyrannical regimes – Uyghurs in China, Russians under Putin, Sudanese by warring warlords – or fall victim to mercenaries, terrorists and fanatical fundamentalists of a sickening variety of perverted faiths. Under these circumstances, it may seem out of place - preposterous even - to limit ourselves to the methodical aspects of our trade. Don’t we lock ourselves up in the imaginary safety of our middle-class bubble, isolated from the harsh reality outside, focused on the purchasing power of the rich middle classes? Aren’t we too concerned about the private preoccupations of the wealthy bourgeoisie to whom we sell our services? What are we actually doing to restore the balance that the world as a whole so desperately needs? How can we stay away from extreme right- and leftwing populism, from self-possessing consumerism or from political-religious radicalism? How to restore the damaged center? And how urgently the centre needs restoring. “Turning and turning in the widening gyre”, wrote the Irish poet W.B. Yeats more than hundred years ago, “the falcon cannot hear the falconer. Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold. Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, the blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere the ceremony of innocence is drowned; the best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity” (Yeats, in: Finnegan: 1989)1. The centre cannot hold. Or could it? What we do need is conviction. In this issue we therefore present another fine array of articles and vignettes on the Summer University of last year in Budapest. Each and every one of our authors shows how important and necessary it is to take time, to pause, to think, to feel and to reflect in the midst of a world that pushes us further and further into situations we never wanted to be in and we can hardly control. As the world is unstable and uncertain, we must learn to be steadfast in our work, as citizens, as political subjects and in our personal lives. As supervisors and coaches, we ourselves are pushed around in this world too; often against our will. We share the same sense of alienation and uncertainty that our contemporaries are experiencing. That is exactly why we can - and must - support everyone who asks for it, or wherever it may be necessary. In order for our services to have at least some beneficial effect, we must master our means, methods and techniques. It is important that we know what we are doing, where, why, for whom and how. Now that is precisely what the ANSE Summer University in Budapest was all about last year. And by extension the content of this issue. .... ■
GratisWith words and beyond - values and identity in an incomprehensible world
2023: Volume 7: Issue 2 ■ Agnes Turner In the midst of our ever-evolving world, characterized by perpetual change and chaotic conditions, the recent ANSE Summer University in Budapest was a resounding success. Organized by the European Association for Supervision and Coaching (ANSE), this event marked its 20th anniversary, and it was hosted by the Hungarian Association of Supervisors and Supervisor-Coaches (MSZCT), in collaboration with Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church (KRE). The central theme of the event revolved around the profound impact of uncertainty on individuals and organizations. The keynotes and workshops over the five days delved into the role of supervision in helping individuals find their unique approach to the incomprehensible world. Participants were encouraged to explore their own identities as supervisors, reflecting on values that resonated in the face of uncertainty. One striking aspect highlighted in the program was the acknowledgment that some aspects of our experiences transcend words. The “beyond words” dimension was given emphasis, suggesting a recognition of the importance of non-verbal and experiential modalities in understanding and coping with the complexities of our world. Participants were not only invited to reflect on these questions but also to engage in practical exercises that extended beyond verbal communication. In a time when the world seemed increasingly incomprehensible, the ANSE Summer University in Budapest offered a platform for collective reflection and exploration of new approaches and values. It was a celebration of two decades of fostering understanding, authenticity, and resilience in the face of uncertainty. As we navigated the uncharted waters of our era, this event served as a reminder that, together, we could find not only our bearings but also opportunities for growth and development. Those who joined the celebration in Budapest in 2023 became part of this enriching journey. With 150 participants from 18 different countries, the 10th ANSE Summer University in 2023 was a truly international gathering. The event featured four keynotes, 25 workshops, a festive Welcome Party showcasing Hungarian folklore dance and singing, and a memorable farewell party held on a boat on the Danube. Due to the rich programme and the density of contributions, we have decided to make 2 issues for the Summer University this time. Initially, the first part of the contributions will be printed in this issue and further contributions from the Summer University will be published in early summer 2024. In this way, we want to give as many contributors as possible the opportunity to publish their contributions. This successful ANSE Summer University would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the Organizing Team in Budapest, especially the Hungarian Association of Supervisors and Supervisor-Coaches (MSZCT) and Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church (KRE). Their meticulous planning and execution created an environment conducive to learning, reflection, and international collaboration. A heartfelt thank you also goes to the ANSE board for their continuous support and vision, guiding the association in its mission to advance supervision and coaching in the ever-evolving landscape of our world. Your leadership is invaluable, and your efforts contribute significantly to the success of initiatives like the Summer University. Thank you for your unwavering dedication. ■
GratisLearning from Failures, Faults & Fiascos
2023: Volume 7: Issue 1 ■ Agnes Turner Learning from mistakes and failure is an essential part of personal growth and development. It is often said that we learn more from our failures than from our successes because mistakes provide us with valuable feedback and insights that we can use to improve our future performance. Professional failures can be unpleasant and demotivating, but they are also an important opportunity for personal and professional growth. By taking responsibility, reflecting, identifying the lessons, applying them and also learning from the mistakes of others, we can improve our knowledge and skills to achieve better results in the future. In this issue of the ANSE Journal we look at the learning opportunities in the context of mistakes and mistake culture and discuss this in the context of supervision and coaching. Life planning and career paths may have disruptions that could be seen as failures at first glance. But it is precisely these supposed detours and painful experiences - cracks in life - that provide a great opportunity to learn and discover something new. A number of contributions address this issue and point out that it is exactly these life experiences that make us stronger or more resilient.The fact that the unconscious plays a role in our so-called parapraxes is also discussed in this issue and illustrated with examples from supervision. In further succession, a number of articles deal with the learning processes and enormous potential for development - the focus is always on the practice of supervision and coaching. One’s own perspective on mistakes is crucial, as is finding strategies, and this is where supervision can come in. With this issue, we will gain insights into the experiences of supervisors, who tell us in a very lively way about their view of errors and error culture. The European perspective is also explicitly represented in this issue, asking about the knowledge society in Europe. With this issue, a few changes in the Editorial Board are to be noted. We would like to take this opportunity to thank Sijtze de Roos for his wonderful work for the ANSE Journal! New to the ANSE editorial board is Gerian Dijkhuizen - welcome, we are very happy to have you in our circle. Gerian is already well known to us through her columns. This part of the ANSE Journal has been taken over by Sveindis Anna Jóhannsdóttir from Iceland. We are looking forward to your columns and thank you very much. Since the beginning of 2023, I have been able to take over the position of Chief Editor and thank the community for the trust they have placed in me. There are two innovations since this issue: firstly, we have set up a book corner. Books on supervision and coaching will be presented here on an ongoing basis. We are happy to receive suggestions and recommendations. Secondly, we have created a rubric with the title: Did you know?. Here we want to inform briefly and concisely about results and events in the ANSE community. By the way, did you know that in the summer of 2023 the Summer University will take place in Budapest with the title “With Words and Beyond - Values and Identity in an Incomprehensible World”? More information can be found at https://anse.eu/activities/summer-universities. See you there and remember, learning from mistakes and failure is a lifelong process. So, let’s go for it! ■
GratisSummer University Keynotes and Workshops on Human Empowerment in an Environment of Elevated Uncertai
2022: Volume 6: Issue 2 ■ Sijtze de Roos You probably haven’t missed it, but when still in doubt you might remember this happy fact from our previous issue: ANSE is 25 years young this year. We joyfully celebrated this in different ways, such as in Riga, during the ably organized ANSE Summer University of 2022. A happy event indeed. With Covid19 apparently fading away, we were finally able to meet in person again. Our Latvian colleagues did their very best to make participants from all over Europe feel welcome to join in the program. And how they managed this! The stimulating environment was not only a joy to the eye, but provided extra inspiration as well. For an impression of the location - the strikingly beautiful National Library of Latvia - please have a look at the photo to the right. All in all - organisation, environment and content - we can say that everything contributed to a stimulating and instructive conference. Yet although it certainly went fine, the nearby Ukrainian war cast its shadow over the proceedings, over Riga, over the entire Baltics and indeed over all of Europe and beyond. To cite just one example: while the Summer University was in full swing, less than a mile away from the conference venue the megalomaniac “Monument of the Liberation of Soviet Latvia” was brought down unceremoniously. “Good riddance”, most Latvians must have thought. To them, it symbolized the cruel Soviet oppression of the past; a memory made even more horrifying by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. The conference program, too, allowed ample attention to the situation of our Ukrainian colleagues. Five Ukrainian supervisors presented an impressive keynote on ‘supervision during the war and the strength of the unconquered’; an inspiring performance, highlighting the importance of the conference topic: Power Dynamics. Highlighting, moreover, the serious consequences of this war for all of us. The impact of the war goes much further than Ukraine: it concerns the whole of Europe and indeed the cause of freedom and democracy worldwide. That is why we need to keep on supporting our Ukrainian colleagues. That is why we - on behalf of our Austrian colleagues of ÖVS - publish this call for continuing support: As you will remember, we at ÖVS together with the ANSE, this spring collected €E80,000 in donations for Ukraine. A big thanks to every donor! It allowed our Ukrainian colleagues to alleviate current needs, varying from baby food to walking frames, from insulin to chocolate, all kinds of medicine and first aid bags, night vision devices, binoculars and of course drinking water treatment and generators. We could tell beautiful and touching but above all cruel and heartbreaking stories. And it looks like the horror is far from over. This autumn, the Russian military is mercilessly targeting critical Ukrainian infrastructure, which means a winter without heating and often without water for local people. Cleaning for drinking water and solar generators are urgently needed. We therefore ask you again: help us to help. .... ■
Gratis
