ANETTE SCHWITZKE
What constitutes me as a trainer and consultant?
Intuition. Structuredness. Reliability. Enthusiasm. Intellectual curiosity. An analytical mind. Intercultural sensitivity. The ability to connect with a diverse range of people. Flexibility. Style and humor. Communication and organizational skills. Credibility. Optimism and self-confidence. Awareness of my limitations. Femininity. Humanity. Fearlessness.
Passion for the topics I work on.
I support NGOs, Governmental and Security Agencies, and businesses on:
Peace and Security
Gender-based violence, incl. sexual harassment and SEA
Trauma awareness and trauma-informed practice
Whether you need a skilled facilitator to deliver an existing program, a speaker for a conference, or someone to design a workshop or training from scratch, I am happy to help.
It is of utmost importance for me to deliver quality and added value to my customers by truly understanding their needs and offering individual, tailor-made services.
If I can inspire growth and change, that’s what makes my day.
My qualifications
I have studied Political Sciences at Freie Universität Berlin and hold an MA in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford/UK.
Some of the further training I did and continue doing:
denkmodell: Consultancy and organizational development
interpeace: Peace Responsiveness
DCAF: Teaching Gender in Security Institutions
Austrian Centre for Peace: IPT Specialization Course on Intersectional Gender Work and Peacebuilding
FINCENT: Approaches to Protection of Civilians in NATO and UN Peace Operations
ESDC: Core Course Security Sector Reform
DCAF: Effective advising
institut berlin: Trauma counseling
Deltar Training Solutions/ISRM: Level 4 Foundations of Security and Risk Management / Level 5 Award in Corporate Risk and Crisis Management
Thrive Worldwide: Family Liaison Training
Japan Intercultural Institute: Foundations of Deep Culture Learning
denkmodell: Design Thinking in Consultancy
RedR UK: Security Management for Humanitarians
SbE Training 1 + 2: Critical Incident Stress Management
Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ASPR):
Protection of CiviliansSWEDINT/NCGM: Gender Training of Trainers
Folke Bernadotte Academy: Gender Advisor Course
medica mondiale e.V.: Dealing with the Impact of Violence
General Staff College of the German Armed Forces:
United Nations Staff Officer Course
My background
I am a native Berliner, having spent a significant part of my childhood in what was then Zaire, as well as Sierra Leone and Cape Verde. Growing up across diverse cultural contexts shaped my perspective early on and instilled a lasting curiosity about people, systems, and the deeper cultural patterns that influence how we think, communicate, and collaborate.
This curiosity guided my academic and professional path. I pursued international experiences through a student exchange in Nicaragua, volunteer work in Israel, and extended travel across the Middle East and North Africa. Like many of my generation, I initially approached my career path with openness rather than a fixed plan—driven by the aspiration to contribute to a more peaceful and equitable world.
This aspiration is grounded in a fundamental conviction reflected in Article 1 of the German Basic Law: that human dignity is inviolable and that the protection of human rights forms the basis of peace and justice. These principles continue to guide my professional choices and my approach to working with others.
My first professional role took me to Afghanistan, where I deliberately chose to work in a (post-)conflict environment. Building on my prior exposure to the Middle East, I sought to deepen my understanding of complex contexts and to engage meaningfully in settings where responsible, context-sensitive action is essential.
Throughout my career, I have worked at the intersection of cultures and sectors—as both an observer and a bridge. I have collaborated with German and international civil society organizations, governmental institutions, think tanks, academic institutions, businesses, the police, and the armed forces. These experiences have strengthened my ability to navigate complexity and reinforced my awareness of the importance of “deep culture” in shaping human interaction—those underlying values, assumptions, and norms that often remain unspoken but profoundly influence cooperation and decision-making.
My approach is grounded in the principles of Humble Consulting: commitment, care, and curiosity. I believe that complexity requires humility, and that meaningful solutions emerge from genuinely understanding clients’ needs. My exposure to design thinking and organizational development has further shaped this mindset, offering practical frameworks for iterative learning and human-centered problem solving.
Berlin remains my home base, though I am flexible and available to work wherever my expertise can contribute value. I work in both German and English, in-person and online.
Outside of my professional work, I maintain balance through Yoga, Barre, and Pilates, and I enjoy cooking and hosting to bring people together.
