Caux Democracy Forum 2025

What Practical Outcomes are Envisioned?

The Caux Democracy Forum aims to facilitate interaction among participants by providing inspiration, tools, courage, and effective strategies for enabling, facilitating, and encouraging the capabilities and attitudes considered necessary to strengthen democracy across the world.

The Caux Democracy Forum 2025 will:

• Bring people together around collective exploration and action powered by storytelling, dialogue, reflection and the arts.
• Provide first-hand experiences of a wide range of people active in the key selected issues.
• Foster learning through innovation, prototyping, practice and sharing application of tools.
• Create opportunities to support further activities within the Caux Democracy Programme and organisations.
• Equip people with the practical tools and skills to independently design, facilitate and lead their own initiatives such as Democracy Dialogues
• Ally with partner organisations

Who Should Attend

Each of us has a unique role in revitalising democracy. This Forum will offer the space to explore that role, and to develop joint initiatives.

Over 200 people are expected to participate in the full residential program and more than 300 people for the Opening Ceremony. Local participants, interested in learning more about this Forum, can also benefit from day passes. 

The Caux Democracy Forum will commence and conclude with the voices of those most impacted, positively and negatively, from civil society.

We will also hear from representatives of people’s movements, NGOs, governmental bodies, youth activists, media, United Nations agencies, academia and unconventional actors. Speakers will be chosen based on their relevant personal experiences.

Our sponsoring initiatives will ensure the Caux Democracy Forum to be an inclusive event, bringing together creative and innovative minds from all regions of the world.

A unique programme

Unlike traditional conferences, the Caux Democracy Forum is designed to allow participants the time to gain some perspective, retreat from the bustling routine and find a space that allows for silent reflection, creative collaboration and the exchange of ideas, equipping people to follow their paths as changemakers.

The rich programme includes:

• Inspiring plenary sessions with global thought leaders
• Interactive workshops to build personal and collective skills and strategies for democratic engagement and social change.
• Community groups to share and learn from others and build a powerful international network of like-minded changemakers
• Reflective moments in a breathtaking and inspiring mountain setting conducive to personal transformation. 

Opening Ceremony (8 July)

Discover the programme of the Opening Ceremony (8 July). You can also download it here.

Arts & Culture

The Caux Palace will showcase a vibrant summer arts and culture programme that explores and amplifies the forum themes through diverse exhibitions and concerts, creating meaningful cultural experiences that extend beyond traditional forum discussions. 

"Democracy? What democracy?!"

An exhibition with press cartoons by Godfrey MWAMPEMBWA (Nairobi, Kenya) and Nadia KHIARI, alias Willis from Tunis (Tunisia).

• Location: Salle Belle Epoque, Caux Palace – Rue du Panorama 2 – 1824 Caux
• Dates: 2 June - 15 September 2025
• Opening Hours: Friday – Saturday – Sunday (14:00 - 18:00)

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

At a time when the core values of democracy are being radically challenged, the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation is presenting an exhibition of around forty cartoons on this theme, by the cartoonists Gado (Godfrey MWAMPEMBWA) and Nadia KHIARI, also Willis from Tunis.

Through the sharp, ironic and sometimes cynical eyes of these two artists from the African continent, the exhibition shows snapshots of European and world political events in recent years.

The drawings reveal how democracy has become a concept emptied of its original meaning, and misappropriated, flouted, reinterpreted or exploited. Like freedom, democracy is fast becoming a hackneyed term, whose deeper meaning is lost in the twists and turns of an increasingly elusive global political chessboard. 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Godfrey MWAMPEMBWA, known professionally as Gado, was born in 1969, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He is a graphic journalist, independent editorial cartoonist, animator, and TV producer. His work has appeared in The EastAfrican, The Standard, and Daily Nation (Kenya), Le Monde and Courrier International (France), Deutsche Welle (Germany), The Continent (South Africa), among others. Gado is the co-founder of

Buni Media, an independent multimedia company based in Nairobi. A trained classical animator from Vancouver Film School, he is the creator and producer of the popular weekly satirical puppet show The XYZ Show, which has aired on Kenyan television since 2009.

He is the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 2007, he was named a Prince Claus Laureate, and in 2011, he received the Visionaries Award from the Ford Foundation for his innovative work on the frontlines of key social issues. In 2016, he was awarded the Cartooning for Peace International Editorial Cartoon Award, and in 2018, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Journalism from the Kenya National Human Rights Commission. Gado was also named one of the 100 Most Influential People in Africa by NewAfrican magazine in both 2014 and 2016. In May 2022, he was honored by the French government with the title Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters).

Gado is a member of the Cartoonists Rights Network (CRN), Cartooning for Peace, and the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ). He has been a fellow at the Bellagio Center (2016) and the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in 2024.

Nadia KHIARI, also known as Willis from Tunis, is from Tunisia. Willis from Tunis, the iconic cartoon cat, was born on 13 January 2011, during a televised speech by the deposed Tunisian president, Ben Ali, who—ironically—promised freedom of expression. Originally created as a way for the author to share her reactions to Tunisia's historic moment with her close circle on social media, the cat quickly evolved into a sharp, satirical commentator on current events. Since then, the daily chronicle has continued without interruption.

Nadia Khiari is a press cartoonist, a visual arts teacher at the secondary level, and a professor of press cartooning at Sciences Po in Menton. She has published several collections of her drawings and contributed to numerous collaborative works. Since 2011, her work has appeared regularly in Siné Mensuel (including international news and a column on astronomy), and she also publishes in Courrier International. She sits on the board of directors of Cartooning for Peace.

Her work has been widely recognized: she received the Honoré Daumier Prize at the second Cartooning for Peace meeting in Caen (2012), was named Doctor Honoris Causa by the University of Liège (2013), and won the International Prize for Political Satire in Forte dei Marmi (October 2014). In 2016, she received the irreverent "Couilles au cul" award at the Off Off Off Festival in Angoulême, and in 2018, the Sokol Prize from the Caricature Museum in Krems, Austria.

Interested in more? Check out the special event on cultural mediation with the artist Gado (tbc) and Anne-Catherine Sutermeister, Head of Community Engagement Switzerland, Caux Initiatives of Change (10 July, 17:00 - 18:30)

"Dialogues on Humanity"

An exhibition produced thanks to a partnership between Photo Elysée - Lausanne, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

• Location: Outdoor Esplanade in the gardens of the Caux Palace – Rue du Panorama 2 – 1824 Caux
• Dates: 2 June - 15 September 2025
• Opening Hours: Friday – Saturday – Sunday (14:00 - 18:00)

ABOUT THE EXHIBITION

How can photography help us understand humanitarian principles? Humanitarian crises around the world make the headlines every day. The images associated with these tragedies are often linked to tears, suffering, hunger, despair, loneliness, separation and desolation. We sometimes feel powerless and overwhelmed by the images of crises, violence, armed conflicts and natural disasters. 

This contemporary art exhibition is a reaction to these feelings. The three partners mentioned above have developed a concept that allows us to take a step back from the images that surround us and to pause, reflect and feel. The idea is to provide a space for discussion about humanitarian principles, and to share opinions on the evolution of the world in which we live.

Interested in more? Check out the special event on cultural mediation with experts from the Swiss Development Coorperation and Anne-Catherine Sutermeister, Head of Community Engagement Switzerland, Caux Initiatives of Change (9 July, 14:30 - 16:00)

 Music

JEAN-MARC VIGNOLI, Violonist

Jean-Marc Vignoli is a musician and lives in France. After training as both a violinist and an engineer, and a long career in industry, he (re)discovered the path to his own creative expression. For the last ten years or so, he has been living and sharing the mysteries of sound, improvisation and creativity and has also recorded several CDs. Jean-Marc Vignoli describes himself as a 'tailor-made' violinist. The music he plays is inspired by the message, the mood and the moment in which it takes place. Having become aware of the therapeutic dimension of music, he has turned his attention to the dimension of sound that soothes, relieves and harmonises, helping to transform and heal the human being in intimate contact with nature. 

Speakers

NATALIA ARNO, Founder & President of Free Russia Foundation (Russia)

Natalia Arno is the Founder and President of Free Russia Foundation.
In 2004, Ms. Arno joined the International Republican Institute, leading its Russia programs in civic education, grassroots organizing, party building, women and youth leadership, civil society development, and local governance. For her pro-democracy work, in 2012, Ms. Arno was given an ultimatum by Putin’s security services— to leave her homeland in 48 hours or face 20 years in prison on bogus treason charges.
In exile, she realized that Putin’s regime has pushed out hundreds of thousands of other talented, educated, resourceful and politically active Russians. Not demoralized but galvanized by the loss of her homeland, Ms. Arno set out to build an organization that would unite and support all individuals and forces working toward a free, peaceful and prosperous Russia.
Today, Free Russia Foundation is a powerful global movement with centers in: Washington, DC; Brussels, Belgium; Kyiv, Ukraine; Tbilisi, Georgia; Berlin, Germany; Vilnius, Lithuania; Tallinn, Estonia; Warsaw, Poland; Paris, France; Budva, Montenegro; and Madrid, Spain.
Born in a Siberian Republic of Buryatia, Ms. Arno graduated from the Buryat State University with a master’s degree in Linguistics in 1998 (Diploma Cum Laude). Between 1998 -1999 she worked as Professor of English at Buryat State University. In 1999, Ms. Arno moved to Moscow to pursue postgraduate studies at the Institute of Russian Language of the Russian Academy of Science, and between 2000-2003 she worked at the Modern Humanitarian University in Moscow.

JOHN BOND, Journalist & Author, Initiatives of Change (UK)

John Bond lives in Oxford, England, and has worked with Initiatives of Change in over 30 countries. For five years he coordinated the Caux Forum for Human Security. Previously he was the Secretary of Australia’s National Sorry Day Committee, which enlisted a million Australians in initiatives to overcome the harm done to Aboriginal Australians by cruel and misguided past policies. For this he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia. He is also a writer. His most-recent book, a biography of Professor Jerzy Zubrzycki, known as 'the father of Australian multiculturalism', has been published in English and Polish.

DR. CECILIA CANNON, Managing Director PoliSync

Dr. Cecilia Cannon is Managing Director at PoliSync with 20+ years’ experience in policy research, teaching, and policy communications. She leads a UN project on the securitisation of migration, and a six-part webinar series with leading nonprofits on AI for Social Good. She co-authored the 2024 UN report on migrants’ contributions and advises international actors on research, strategy, digital tools, and policy impact. She holds a PhD in International Relations from the Geneva Graduate Institute.

MORIN DAIMARY, Bodoland Happiness Mission (Nagaland/North-East India)

For nearly 40 years, the Bodoland Territorial Region experienced ethnic violence, but after a historic peace accord, former rebel groups have laid down their arms, ushering in a new era of peace. Morin Daimary leads the Bodoland Happiness Mission, a flagship initiative of the Bodoland Government. The Mission focuses on reconciliation, healing past wounds, and rebuilding trust among communities.

FABRICE DALONGEVILLE, Independent Consultant & Mayor of Auger-Saint-Vincent (France)

Fabrice Dalongeville has been an independent consultant for sixteen years, with expertise spanning editorial production, tourism attractiveness, territorial marketing, collective intelligence, and the creation of new narratives. He brings a unique triple perspective: as a public official (President of the Picardy Regional Tourism Committee and Vice-President for Tourism in Pays de Valois), as a project leader (founder and director of Opale&CO, the first attractiveness agency in Hauts-de-France), and as a consultant, journalist, and trainer. He has deep knowledge of local governance, team leadership, institutional dynamics, and multimedia content production. Mayor of Auger-Saint-Vincent, he co-founded Le Café citoyen, a local third place, and serves as third-place referent for the Association of Rural Mayors of France. Since 2018, he has championed public access to the two million citizen contributions from the 2018–2019 grievances, co-founding Les doléances in 2024 and helping to pass a cross-party resolution in 2025. Fabrice is trained in experience economy, design thinking, and collective intelligence, and holds degrees in history (Paris IV Sorbonne), economic intelligence (Sciences Po Aix), and journalism (CPJ Paris).

DR LAURIE JOHNSTON, Professor of Theology, Emmanuel College, Boston/USA

Dr Laurie Johnston is Professor of Theology at Emmanuel College in Boston where she teaches courses on social ethics. She is the author or editor of works on peacebuilding, reconciliation, and just war theory and most recently edited a journal issue on the thought of Jacques Maritain and contemporary challenges to democracy. She also serves as the Executive Vice President of the Sant'Egidio Foundation for Peace and Dialogue. She first came to Caux in 1999.

ASHEESH KHANEJA, Innovation Catalyst, Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation

Asheesh Khaneja is the innovation catalyst at the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, where he spearheads strategic technology and artificial intelligence initiatives to advance the organization’s global mission. A seasoned leader with decades of experience, Asheesh combines insights from his work in AI, deep-tech innovation, and leadership roles at industry pioneers like IBM and Oracle with the entrepreneurial agility honed through tech startups.

ANDREAS LARENTZAKIS, Executive Director IIPT - International Institute for Peace through Tourism

Andreas Larentzakis, with a distinguished career spanning over four decades in the travel industry, has held various management positions in Australia, the United States, and Europe. In late 1999, he began volunteering with the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), where he has since worked closely with the institute’s founder to advance its vision and mission. He played an active role in the 2000 Amman Global Summit and the 2003 Geneva Global Summit on Peace through Tourism. Following his retirement from the business world in late 2024, he was appointed Executive Director of IIPT.

MARINA LITVINENKO, Public Speaker & Justice Campaigner

Marina Litvinenko is a public speaker and justice campaigner, best known for her fight to uncover the truth behind the 2006 assassination of her husband, Alexander Litvinenko, a vocal critic of Vladimir Putin. Following Alexander’s death by poisoning in London, she led a decade-long campaign, resulting in a 2016 public inquiry which concluded that there was a ‘strong probability’ that two Russian agents were ordered by FSB to poison Alexander Litvinenko on personal orders of Vladimir Putin. In 2021, the European Court of Human Rights confirmed Russia's culpability. Beyond seeking justice for her husband, Marina continues to advocate for Russian dissidents, human rights, and press freedom. She co-authored Death of a Dissident and its Russian-language update, Sasha, Volodya, Boris: The Story of a Murder. Frequently speaking at international conferences and media platforms, she uses her voice to warn the world about the dangers of Russian state repression.

FARAI MAGUWU, Executive Director, Centre for Natural Resource Governance (Zimbabwe)

Farai Maguwu founded the Centre for Natural Resource Governance to improve governance of natural resources in Zimbabwe. He has done extensive research and documentation on human rights abuses and illicit trade in diamonds. In 2011 Human Rights Watch honoured him with the Alison Des Forges Award for Extraordinary Activism.

KATERYNA MALTSEVA, Programme Director Association for Communities Participatory Development (Ukraine)

Kateryna Maltseva is the Programme Director of the Association for Communities Participatory Development in Ukraine. She focuses on participatory governance, strengthening social cohesion in local communities, and developing participatory democratic initiatives among groups affected by the war. At the heart of her approach are values of people-centeredness, trustbuilding, and partnership. The Association for Communities Participatory Development in Ukraine trains people in the skills of teamwork. It is working principally in the front-line states suffering most from the war in Ukraine, where it helps building bridges of trust and cooperation between NGOs and city councils, between refugees and the local community. Its projects are supported by the UNDP and other international organisations.

DR MWALIMU MUSHESHE, Vice-Chancellor African Rural University (Uganda)

Dr Mwalimu Musheshe is the Vice-Chancellor of the African Rural University in Uganda, the first university in Africa to teach sustainable agriculture exclusively to women. He is also the co-founder of the Uganda Rural Development and Training Programmme (URDT), which trains girls from the poorest villages. This strategy is advancing rural development throughout the region, and Dr Musheshe has been welcomed into the Ashoka Fellowship of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs.  

MARIAM POLOYAN, Communications Manager, Association for Communities Participatory Development (Ukraine)

Mariam Poloyan is Communications Manager at the Association for Communities Participatory Development in Ukraine and focuses on building relationships between communities and civil society organisations. She manages Ukraine's Trust Building Programme, which aims to foster dialogue and inspire trust. She also supports people coping with war-related losses, building resilience through collaborative initiatives towards recovery. The Association for Communities Participatory Development in Ukraine trains people in the skills of teamwork. It is working principally in the front-line states suffering most from the war in Ukraine, where it helps building bridges of trust and cooperation between NGOs and city councils, between refugees and the local community. Its projects are supported by the UNDP and other international organisations.

ROOHULLAH SHINWARI, Head of External Relations at AFA

Fluent in English, Pashto/Persian, Urdu, Finnish, and Russian, Roohullah Shinwari was appointed Head of External Relations at AFA in January 2024. Prior to this role, he served as Programme Officer for the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) in Afghanistan until April 2022. With over 25 years of experience in humanitarian work and development, Roohullah Shinwari has held several leadership positions, including a five-year term as Country Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan with the Terre des Hommes International Federation. He has also worked as Project Coordinator for the Terre des Hommes Foundation, senior engineer for LBG/USAID, lecturer for Afghan universities based in Pakistan, and as a member of the Community Health Training Group. Roohullah Shinwari  is an expert in humanitarian aid, rural WASH, rapid response, public health, and broader development issues and brings strong skills in teamwork, critical analysis, leadership, and problem-solving to every role.

CHRISTOPH SPRENG (Switzerland), IofC International’s representative to the Council of Europe

Christoph Spreng is IofC International’s representative to the Council of Europe. He was part time correspondent for Swiss newspapers on international affairs in Geneva. He was also INGO Project Manager, Elaboration of the Council of Europe White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue 2006-2008, and contributor of a chapter in “Human Rights in culturally diverse societies – Challenges and perspectives”, Council of Europe, 2009. Spreng also served as an INGO Expert for the European Union/CoE Joint Programme “Minorities in Russia: developing languages, culture, media and civil society” 2009-2011.

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• Discover the programme overview
• Find out more about the programme of the Opening Ceremony (8 July)

A Unique Experience for Everyone - Exciting Programmes for Children, Teenagers & Young Adults

Bring your family to the Caux Forum 2025 for an unforgettable adventure filled with learning, creativity, and connection!  From inspiring talks to hands-on workshops, storytelling sessions, and interactive activities, there’s something for everyone!

Explore how arts, leadership, and global change come together in a welcoming, family-friendly environment. Meet people from around the world, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire the next generation

1. CHILDREN

To ensure a holistic approach, we are committed to providing age-appropriate activities for younger children. These activities will be developed in close collaboration with parents and finalised after the registration closing date as the programme will depend on the number of children present in each age group. Please note that all children registered for the Caux Forum 2025 must be accompanied by their legal representative(s).

2. TEENAGERS (ages 14 - 18)

CAUX FORUM SUMMER PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS: Revitalizing Democracy - Your Voice, Your Power!

The Caux Democracy Forum will offer a tailored programme for teenagers.This programme will feature a combination of participation in the main programme fostering intergenerational connection and dialogue and specific moments for teens, including a variety of enriching outdoor activities. "Revitalizing Democracy" is a dedicated programme to empower young changemakers (ages 14-18) to explore and revitalize democratic values through interactive learning, outdoor activities, and real-world applications.

Please note that all teenagers below 18 who are registered for the Caux Forum 2025 must be accompanied by their legal representative(s).

Discover our Young Changemakers programme for teenagers

3. YOUNG ADULTS (ages 18 - 35)

REIMAGINING DEMOCRACY(IES): A Creative Leadership programme for young leaders

Reimagining Democracy(ies), a 7-day immersive programme for young participants (ages 18 - 35), comes as a response to the current unequal power dynamics and unethical leadership shaping our world today. It urges youth to step up with solidarity, vulnerability and empathy, taking ownership to create change on both personal and socio-political levels. 

This programme, organised by Creative Leadership, runs alongside the Caux Democracy Forum where 28 young changemakers (ages 18-35) come together to rethink democracy(ies), reimagine power, explore pressing global challenges and collectively attempt to rewrite the narratives that shape our societies through reflective spaces of learning/unlearning, storytelling, dialogue and art.

Discover Reimagining Democracy(ies) and apply today

Getting Involved

There are many ways you can get involved. Please contact us directly if you are interested in:

• being a speaker in a plenary session
• participating in a human library or a candlelight conversation.
• organising a workshop
• leading a community group

We would love to hear from you.

We will continue to update this page with information on speakers and workshops in the weeks to come.

Join Us in Revitalising Democracy

Whether you're looking to run community dialogues, engage with authorities, or build collaborative teams, the Caux Democracy Forum provides the inspiration, connections, and skills to make a real difference.

Participation Rates

Please note that price categories are limited and subject to availability.

Full Package with accommodation from 8-12 July, 2025, including the Opening Ceremony:

• All inclusive | Accommodation in single occupancy room: CHF 860.-/person
• All inclusive | Accommodation in shared occupancy room: CHF 620.-/person
• All inclusive | Accommodation in economy singe occupancy room : CHF 540.-/person*
• Children from 6-14 | Accommodation shared with parents: CHF 340.-/person
• Children from 0-5 | Accommodation shared with parents: CHF.- 0/person
• Extra night prior to the start of the event: Please contact us at reservation@caux.ch**

Event Package without accommodation

• Full event package -  accommodation and breakfast not included: CHF 360.-/person 
• Daily event package - accommodation and breakfast not included: CHF 90.-

Prices mentioned, for single or shared accommodation, include :

• Accommodation in either shared or single room at the Caux Palace
• Participation in the Caux Democracy Forum
• Materials provided during the event
• Interpretation service and technical equipment
• Coffee and tea breaks as well as refreshments
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• VAT & City taxes

The package for participants without accommodation does not include breakfast nor the City Tax.

*Economy rooms face behind the Caux Palace and have shared bathrooms, WC and no balcony. They are not included in the early-bird pricing offer.

** It is not possible to extend your stay beyond 12 July, 2025

Solidarity Fund

We have created a fund aimed at fostering true diversity of participants by providing support to those from the Global South or those facing economic challenges. Every contribution helps and we appreciate any additional amount you are able to give when paying via the registration form.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Arrival and Departure

The Caux Democracy Forum starts with the Opening Ceremony at the Caux Palace on 8 July, 2025. 

Attendees are asked to check in from 14:00 CEST on the Tuesday 8 July. For participants who arrive early on 8 July and would like to drop off their luggage at the Caux Palace before official check-in times, a luggage room will be available.

On the day of departure (Saturday 12 July), the Forum will end after lunch. For organisational reasons and to prepare our spaces for other events we kindly request all participants to check out by 10:00 CEST on the day of departure and to leave the site by 14:00 CEST.

More information

• Terms & Conditions 2025
• Practical Information for your stay at the Caux Palace
• Families with children at the Caux Democracy Forum 2025
• Download the flyer

Questions?

For further information, please get in touch BY EMAIL.

REGISTER NOW 

Discover the programme overview

Find out more about the programme of the Opening Ceremony (8 July)