CIDG Dedicated Page: Speakers
Meet our Speakers, Contributors & Artists
9 July: Opening Ceremony
TATIANA VALOVAYA, Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva
Tatiana Valovaya is Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva. Ms. Valovaya has brought to the position over 35 years of extensive experience in journalism, diplomacy and government service. She is currently Member of the Board and Minister in charge of integration and macroeconomics of the Eurasian Economic Commission, the executive body of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) which is responsible for implementing decisions, upholding the EEU treaties and managing the day-to-day business of the Union. She began her career with the Government of the Russian Federation in 1989 and served in various capacities, including as the Third and Second Secretary at the Russian Permanent Mission to the European Union in Brussels (1989-1994) and Deputy Director and subsequently Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Russian Federation (1999-2012). Before joining the Government of the Russian Federation, she worked as a reporter to “The Economic Gazette” in Moscow (1983-1989). Ms. Valovaya graduated from the Department of International Economic Relations of the Moscow Financial Institute, holds a Ph.D and a Doctorate of Economic sciences from the State Financial Academy, Moscow. She has written extensively on international monetary relations, European economic integration and economic cooperation with Member States of the Commonwealth of Independent States. (photo: UN Geneva)
AMBASSADOR CHRISTIAN GUILLERMET-FERNÁNDEZ, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva
Ambassador Christian Guillermet-Fernández is the Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva. He has been a career diplomat in the Costa Rican foreign service since 1998 and, from April 2020 to June 2023, was appointed as Deputy Minister of Multilateral Affairs. He was Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations in New York (2019-2020), Director General of Foreign Policy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Costa Rica (2016- 2018), Deputy Director General of Foreign Policy (2015-2016), Deputy Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva (2010- 2015), Deputy Permanent Representative and Political Coordinator during Costa Rica's membership in the Security Council at the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations in New York (2008-2009) and Director General of Foreign Policy after working with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva and in Santiago, Chile as Regional Representative a.i. of the High Commissioner (2006-2008). During his diplomatic career, he worked as Chair-Rapporteur of the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on the Right to Peace, among others. In addition, he has collaborated extensively with different universities and think tanks and has written for prestigious peer-reviewed journals worldwide.
JACQUELINE COTÉ, President Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
Jacqueline Coté was the Director of Public Relations and previously Head of Communications at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva from 2009 to 2021. In that role she was instrumental in building the new campus of the Institute, the Maison de la Paix, as a vibrant centre of conferences and seminars, thus solidifying the reputation and outreach of the Institute in International Geneva and beyond. Prior to that Ms Coté was the Permanent Representative to the UN of the International Chamber of Commerce and also served as Senior Advisor Advocacy & Partnerships to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. In the early part of her career, Ms Coté practiced as an international lawyer in Canada and Switzerland and held management positions with multinational companies SGS and DuPont. Jacqueline Coté believes that the global agenda can best be tackled by linking the public, private and non-profit sectors, and that dialogue and empathy are essential tools to achieve the sustainable development goals. She recently trained as a mediator at Harvard Law School and joined the board of several associations to continue her engagement with International Geneva. Jacqueline Coté has Swiss, Canadian and British nationalities, is a member of the Bar of Quebec and has two grown-up children who share her passion about tackling today’s global challenges in their areas of work.
LOUISE LE GAT, President of A Purpose-led World
Louise Le Gat is the Founder of A Purpose-Led World And School. As an activist, she is a strong advocate of the new economy that is emerging based on the long term well-being of people and planet. And is part of the purpose-driven movement that is pioneering, experimenting and reshaping how we do business, work and leadership to meet these unprecedented times. As a speaker, educator and catalyst, she supports with her Purpose-Led Method, a new generation of leaders to actualise their purpose - by evolving the world being uniquely themselves and channelling that through their personal purpose, future-fit work and next generation leadership. With 23 years experience in Transformation, Career And Leadership Development, she is a regular Curriculum Designer and Facilitator on Acceleration Programmes, Sustainability Incubators and In-Depth Transformational Initiatives for High Potential Corporate Leaders, Social Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs. This has included clients like Nestle, Nespresso, Zurich Foundation, Allen & Overy LLP, Adobe, SAP, Cotty (now Wella) and also working with The Global Fund, Interpeace, The Impact Hub and UNICEF. She is a certified NLP Coach, RAPSI Counsellor and Mediator. Her first career was as a lawyer in a leading Law Firm in the City of London. She was recognised through the ICF Prism Award for outstanding coaching as part of Nestle's external Coaching Faculty.
IGNACIO PACKER, Executive Director, Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
Ignacio Packer was appointed as Executive Director of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation in May 2023. Until March 2023, he served as Executive Director of ICVA, the global consortium of humanitarian NGOs. ICVA is a global network of non-governmental organisations whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice. Ignacio has over 30 years of experience in humanitarian work and development issues. He served a five-year term as Secretary General of the Terre des Hommes International Federation, and previously worked for the Terre des Hommes Foundation, the Swiss Tropical Institute, the European Association for Development and Health, Medecins Sans Frontieres, KPMG and the European Bank for Latin America. He is an expert on human rights and social issues. He has been strongly engaged in global advocacy on protection frameworks for migrants and refugees with a particular focus on children and youth. Passionate for long-distance challenges, he is also an enthusiastic ultra-trail runner.
JAN ARTEM HENRIKSSON, Executive Director Inner Development Goals
Jan Artem Henriksson is the Executive Director of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) – a global initiative that develops inner abilities, skills and other qualities for people and organizations to contribute to a more sustainable global society. He also initiated ‘MindShift: Growth that Matters’ – a global conference bringing academia, public sector and business together to focus on the link between human growth and sustainable development. In the past, Jan has been a public speaker and adviser for several global organizations and governments, and he also founded two companies: 1) Self Leaders – a Nordic leadership development company that has put 70 000+ people through leadership development programs and, 2) Relate – a relationship building app and thought leader for healthy relationships. Jan is also a faculty member and senior lecturer at Stockholm School of Economics Executive Education and a board member at Ekskaret Foundation.
RAJMOHAN GANDHI, Historian, biographer, former President of Initiatives of Change International
Rajmohan Gandhi is a historian, biographer and former President of Initiatives of Change International. He was born in 1935 and has worked as a journalist, writer, politician and professor of political science. Rajmohan Gandhi is unique in that he is both one of Mahatma Gandhi's grandsons and a grandson of C. Rajagopalachari, an Indian National Congress leader and the only Indian to have served as Governor General of India (from 1948 to 1950). Like Gandhi and Rajagopalachari, Rajmohan Gandhi is committed, including in politics, to a peaceful democracy with integrity and respect for the dignity of every individual. He is the author of numerous works on the figures of the struggle for Indian independence, the drama of the partition of India and the relations between Hindus and Muslims.
DANIEL CLEMENTS, Teacher & Programme Manager Creative Leadership
Daniel Clements is the Programme Manager of Creative Leadership, an international team born from within the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation. Creative Leadership organises conferences and storysharing programmes based on the belief that we first need to change ourselves in order to generate change within society and authentic leadership. He works as a Maths teacher in the UK with a degree in Mathematics and Physics. Daniel is driven by the conviction that the absence of virtues and values is one of the reasons behind the social and moral decline that the world is witnessing.
ASMAA SLEEM, Educator, Storyteller and Founder of Lifelong Learning Talks
Asmaa Sleem is an Egyptian educator, storyteller, and lifelong learner. She is actively engaged in spreading awareness, fostering inner development, and promoting togetherness. Asmaa is part of the organising team behind the youth-led programme Creative Leadership and is the founder of the Lifelong Learning Talks in Egypt. With postgraduate degrees in teaching methodologies and social sciences, Asmaa focuses on youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and creative leadership. She serves as Vice-President of the Association for World Education (AWE) and has corporate experience in marketing research, notably co-founding and co-leading 'Nielsen Cares' Egypt. Asmaa's work encompasses education, development, CSR, SDGs, and peacebuilding, both locally and internationally, while she pursues further studies in positive psychology and community psychology.
STEVEN LIN, Community Organizer
Steven Lin is passionate about empowering youth to achieve their goals through capacity building, self reflection and soft skill development. Steven has spent the last decade working with various nonprofits to tackle SDG 4 quality education. Some examples include his work with the Alberta Mentorship Program, providing high school students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills or working at the Terra Centre to help teen parents advocate for themselves and for policy and system change. In addition to that, Steven has been engaged with young leaders globally through Creative Leadership as well as Global Shapers to support young professionals in tackling local issues in their community. Steven follows the model of Servant and Authentic leadership in his daily practice. Steven was recognized for his work by Alberta Council for Global Cooperation and named one of Alberta’s Top 30 under 30.
ANDREW STALLYBRASS, Caux Palace Historian
Together with his wife Eliane, Andrew Stallybrass has been involved in the work of Initiatives of Change for many years and in many capacities, including conference organisation, the work weeks and communications. His extensive knowledge of the history of the Caux Palace makes him the perfect person for a guided tour through the building and the gardens.
MODERATOR:
SARAH NOBLE, Head of Global Engagement, Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
Sarah Noble is the Head of Global Engagement at the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation. She is passionate about showcasing people's stories about how we build peace with each other and the planet. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience and has held leadership positions at international organisations focused on peacebuilding, humanitarian issues, and independent media. Sarah is co-founder and curator of the Peace Talks at Interpeace and also served as Director of External Relations at The New Humanitarian, a non-profit newsroom that puts quality, independent journalism at the service of the millions of people affected by humanitarian crises around the world. In her TEDx talk, Storytelling is Our Real-Life Superpower, she invites us to embrace this ability to take on the existential issues of our time and create a better future.
Plenary 10 July - Conscious Food Systems (SDG 2)
ETIENNE CAUDAUX, Livestock Farmer, Advocate for animal and farmer welfare, Mayor of Première, Switzerland
Etienne Caudaux has been the mayor of Première, a village in the Nord-Jura Vaudois district of Switzerland, for 20 years. A dedicated livestock farmer, he runs the family farm and advocates for animal and farmer welfare, promoting a local, sustainable agriculture model. For over 30 years, he has been active in the Farmers' Dialogue, an international network of farmers under Initiatives of Change, focusing on the connection between personal change and sustainable agricultural development. His leadership and commitment to environmentally respectful farming have made him a respected and inspiring figure in his community.
KHULAN BERGER, Regional Director Romandie/Switzerland, MyBluePlanet
Khulan Berger is passionate about environmental stewardship and empowering communities. Her multicultural experiences across Mongolia, Singapore, and Switzerland have shaped her resilient approach and entrepreneurial mindset. Leveraging her expertise in Sustainable Business from Business School Lausanne in Switzerland and her background in Electrical Computer Engineering from Ngee Ann Polytechnic in Singapore with certifications in Creating innovation and Design Thinking for Innovation, she realizes her professional career. In her role as Regional Director Romandie at MYBLUEPLANET, she leads a team to co-develop and implement sustainable initiatives such as ClimateLab, ClimateAction4Companies and P3C: Climate Collaboration Catalyst. Furthermore, as National Coordinator for the Climate Reality Project Europe, she forges strategic partnerships towards concrete impact.
MODERATORS:
NADENE CANNING, Coach and Facilitator
After 20 years managing large projects in industry, sustainable development, and technology in 45 countries, Nadene Canning created a boutique consulting agency. Today her strategic foresight and laser focus supports leaders to navigate strategic imperatives that accelerate possibility and impact. In 2012 the book she wrote La force le l’Équilibre - Vie familiale, vie professionnelle which led to a decade of teaching and consulting on leadership, management, systems thinking, change and negotiation. In 2019 Nadene was one of 400 facilitators selected from 10’000 applicants to train with Dr Brené Brown and believes that the four skills sets of building courage in the Dare to Lead™ program is at the cutting edge of leadership thinking. Nadene is part of the IDG Global Coordination Team and a member of the core team of the IDG Lemanic Network. For the past 2 years Nadene has had the privilege to design and co-host monthly IDG Global Practitioner Network sessions, bringing together many of the 700 practitioners to learn, share their challenges, be inspired, and make sustainable impact.
CHARLOTTE DUFOUR, Conscious Food Systems Alliance
Charlotte Dufour works for the Conscious Food Systems Alliance and has been working on food systems and nutrition for over two decades, with NGOs (Action Contre la Faim, Groupe URD), with the UN FAO for 12 years, and with various organisations as a consultant since 2017 (SUN Secretariat; 4SD/Food Systems Summit Dialogue Support Team). She worked primarily in Afghanistan and sub-Saharan Africa, before working at global level. She is also an instructor of Ananda Yoga and meditation and co-founded the NGO Listening Inspires. She presently lives in Burgundy, France, where she and her husband are creating a retreat center.
Plenary 11 July - A more climate-friendly lifestyle (SDG 13)
LAILA MARTINS, United Nations & IDG Programme Processes Lead - Brazil
Laila Martins' life mission is dedicated to nurturing intersectional sustainable and regenerative practices within businesses, communities, cities, institutions and economies at large. With a solid foundation in International Relations and an MBA focusing on Sustainable Development and Circular Economy, Laila's international experiences across Brazil, the U.S., and Germany have sharpened her skills in crafting processes and solutions for both the Global South and North. For 5+ years, she led large-scale global IT projects at major corporations like DHL. Her notable achievements include leading a program to develop a global IT infrastructure that enabled the capture, calculation, and analysis of data across 5 regions to assess carbon emissions within the global logistics supply chain. Laila's strategy integrates cutting-edge technology with sustainability principles to drive significant change. Believing in the transformative power of personal growth, Laila utilises the Inner Development Goals framework as a communication tool to assist individuals globally in acquiring the necessary skills to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. She is an advocate for youth empowerment since her AIESEC days, supporting Youth for Ecocide Law and mentoring through Brazil's Youth Climate Leaders (YCL). Her work is also focused on creating a network among experts in climate, sustainability, urban planning, public policy, impact investing, corporate strategy, regenerative evaluation, and the arts. This effort is aimed at fostering regenerative projects that not only provide livelihoods but also contribute to the emergence of a regenerative economy.
ELISE BUCKLE (France/Switzerland), President & CEO of Climate & Sustainability, Co-chair of the climate impact group
Elise Buckle is a globally recognized expert who has been working in the field of climate and sustainability for over 20 years. She is CEO of Climate & Sustainability, Co-Founder of SHE Changes Climate, Founder and Network Lead of SHE Changes Climate Switzerland. She has been nominated as International Gender Champion (IGC) since early 2023 and is now the Co-Chair of the IGC Climate and Gender Impact Group. Elise has a strong track record of building successful global alliances to deliver positive impacts for climate, people and nature, including the Planetary Emergency Partnership, the Nature-Based Solutions Coalition hosted by the UN, the Leaders Pledge for Nature and the G7/G20 Summit alliances for sustainable finance. She has French and Swiss citizenship and is also a leadership mentor and teaches sustainability and entrepreneurship at the Glion Institute of Excellence in Hospitality.
LEWIS CARDINAL, Leader of the Global Indigenous Dialogue
Lewis Cardinal comes from the Woodland Cree people in northern Alberta, Canada. His long track record of public service includes founding Board Member of Alberta Aboriginal Arts, Co-Chair of the Aboriginal Commission for Human Rights and Justice, and Trustee of the Parliament of World Religions. He has received QE II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for Public Service, the IndSpire Award for Public Service, the Province of Alberta’s Centennial Medal for his work in Human Rights and Diversity, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Grant MacEwan University, and an Honorary Degree of “Doctor of Sacred Letters” from the University of Alberta.
MODERATORS:
IGNACIO PACKER, Executive Director, Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
Ignacio Packer was appointed as Executive Director of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation in May 2023. Until March 2023, he served as Executive Director of ICVA, the global consortium of humanitarian NGOs. ICVA is a global network of non-governmental organisations whose mission is to make humanitarian action more principled and effective by working collectively and independently to influence policy and practice. Ignacio has over 30 years of experience in humanitarian work and development issues. He served a five-year term as Secretary General of the Terre des Hommes International Federation, and previously worked for the Terre des Hommes Foundation, the Swiss Tropical Institute, the European Association for Development and Health, Medecins Sans Frontieres, KPMG and the European Bank for Latin America. He is an expert on human rights and social issues. He has been strongly engaged in global advocacy on protection frameworks for migrants and refugees with a particular focus on children and youth. Passionate for long-distance challenges, he is also an enthusiastic ultra-trail runner.
SIDDHARTH SINGH (India), Director of the Initiatives of Change centre Asia Plateau
Siddharth Singh is the Director of the Initiatives of Change centre Asia Plateau in Panchgani, India. He is a facilitator, coach, designer and traveler. In 2001, Siddharth co-founded ‘Paradigms Unlimited’, a business leadership-consulting firm, committed to working with people to create personal and organisational transformation. His personal vision is to see a world that works for everyone and not just a privileged few and hopes to use his life working towards this idea. He believes he is a student of life and nature, and believes that most of the important lessons lie in how nature works.
Plenary 12 July: Cultivating Peaceful Societies - Embracing Conscience, Peace and Love (SDG 16)
DR ELIF KUS SAILLARD, Sociologist & Methodologist, Co-Creator The We Media
Dr. Elif Kuş Saillard, a sociologist and methodologist, is a scientist of "understanding." With over two decades of expertise in qualitative methodologies and Computer Aided Qualitative Data Analysis (CAQDAS), she founded the NAM Qualitative Research Center in Istanbul in 2013, training many social science researchers globally. Dr. Saillard developed the "Meaningful Experience Model" to help organizations and individuals cultivate meaningful experiences. Her pioneering "Understanding Leadership" program unlocks the superpower of understanding, promoting consensus and overcoming polarization. Through this work, she aims to contribute to a sustainable future by helping people enhance their understanding, fostering a more connected and harmonious world.
INES MOKDADI (Tunisia), University Professor of English, ISEAH & Creative Leadership Youth Initiative
Ines Mokdadi is a University Agrégée Professor of English at ISEAH in Tunisia and specializes in Applied Linguistics. Her research focuses on critical discourse analysis and power dynamics. She also works as a freelance translator and interpreter and has served as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) Alumna at the University of Notre Dame, USA (2020-2021). In addition to her academic and professional pursuits, Ines is deeply passionate about civic engagement, inclusion, and cross-cultural understanding. She volunteers as the Lead Content Strategist for the Creative Leadership team, dedicating her free time to youth-based causes. Furthermore, she recently expanded her involvement by joining the faculty of IofC UK as a trainer for the Refugees for Re-Builders (RRB) programme, demonstrating her commitment to supporting refugees and promoting community rebuilding efforts on a broader scale.
ELIZABETH LASKAR, Programme Manager Creators of Peace IofC UK, Facilitator & Trainer
Elizabeth Laskar is a Creators of Peace facilitator and trainer, and a mindfulness practitioner. Elizabeth is a Creators of Peace Circles facilitator and joint National Coordinator of Creators of Peace UK. She began her journey with Creators of Peace in 2010 and since 2021, she has also been working with Initiatives of Change UK. From 2004 to 2014, she advocated for justice in the sustainable fashion sector. She holds a master's in shelter and disaster, led the Oxford Human Rights Festival (2019-2021), and volunteers as Treasurer of the Oxford Fair Trade Coalition. She loves cooking and hospitality.
LETLAPA MPHAHLELE, Former commander of a South African liberation army, Peace Activist, former Member of Parliament
Letlapa Mphahlele is a former commander of a South African liberation army during apartheid times. His passion was such that he ordered high profile retaliatory massacres on white civilians. But after a radical transformation he now sees the whole of humanity as ‘My People’. Letlapa is the main protagonist in the award-winning film ‘Beyond Forgiving’, and was formerly an opposition Member of the South African Parliament.
MODERATOR:
SARAH NOBLE (Canada/Switzerland), Head of Global Engagement, Caux Initiatives of Change
Sarah Noble is the Head of Global Engagement at the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation. She is passionate about showcasing people's stories about how we build peace with each other and the planet. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience and has held leadership positions at international organisations focused on peacebuilding, humanitarian issues, and independent media. Sarah is co-founder and curator of the Peace Talks at Interpeace and also served as Director of External Relations at The New Humanitarian, a non-profit newsroom that puts quality, independent journalism at the service of the millions of people affected by humanitarian crises around the world. In her TEDx talk, Storytelling is Our Real-Life Superpower, she invites us to embrace this ability to take on the existential issues of our time and create a better future.
Plenary 13 July: Partnership Accelerator (SDG 17)
PONTUS HOLMGREN (Sweden), Psychologist, Facilitator and Global Coordinator of the IDG Hubs and Networks
Pontus Holmgren is a licensed psychologist and a trained UrbanTantra breath guide. He is an organsiational transformation facilitator and an actor, conductor and teacher in improvised Playback theatre. Pontus has worked with leadership, teams, cross collaboration and transformational processes in a multitude of organisations and communities globally since the mid 1990s. Currently focusing on the need for inner development for individuals and for the collective in order deal with the current and future complex challenges of humanity. Pontus has been part of the IDG journey from the start and is a co-coordinator for the global community of Hubs and networks of the Inner Development Goals.
JOHN BOND, Journalist & Author, Initiatives of Change
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.
MONA CALVET, Psycho-Sociologist and Transformation Facilitator & HER DAUGHTER
Mona Calvet is dedicated to fostering inner capacities for collective transformation using various methodologies. With a systemic and regenerative approach, she collaborates with change agents, young leaders, and groups to develop awareness-based inner change, break down silos, and cultivate collective intelligence. Her experience spans 9 years in various professional contexts, interdisciplinary studies in psychology, psycho-social intervention, organisational communication, 300+ hours of continuous training, and a 13+ years personal transformational journey. Mona aims to help people connect to self, others, and the living ecosystem, cultivating the soil needed for regenerative systems change.
GRANDMOTHER EJNA JEAN FLEURY, Tribal Peace Ambassador Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, South Dakota, Visionary & Ceremonialist
Grandmother Ejna Jean Fleury is an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, South Dakota, and is their first Tribal Peace Ambassador. She is a Mystic, Visionary & Ceremonialist. She is the co-founder of Healing Hearts at Wounded Knee and the Wounded Knee Global Ceremonies to heal the multi-generational and multi-lineal effects of massacre, holocaust, and war upon humanity, other species, and our beloved planetary home. Grandmother Ejna has been practicing meditation for more than 40 years and is a certified meditation teacher and spiritual counselor. She is Commissioner at the Global Justice and Healing Commission and International Coordinator of Four Worlds Holistic Health Program for Elders & Leaders. She serves as a minister, healer, priestess, ceremonialist and a pipe carrier in the tradition of While Buffalo Calf Woman.
MODERATOR:
RAFAELA ROLIM (Brazil), Founder of Brazilian Experience & Facilitator
Rafaela Rolim aims to host safe spaces of exchange and learning that inspires people and organisations to co-create a better world. She is the founder of Brazilian Experience, with 18+ years of experience in program design, facilitating international learning journeys and human development projects. Rafaela is a IDG enthusiast and started the IDG Florianópolis HUB - Experiences in Nature. She is currently part of the Global Coordination Team for HUBs and Networks and also launched the first IDG Immersion, called ID-X I Inner Development Experiences. Rafaela believes in the power of community to foster collaboration towards common goals, creating transformative impact beyond individual capacity. She is currently also the Co-chair of the Sustainability Interest Group of NAFSA (Association of International Educators) and Vice-President of the CANIE (Climate Action Network for International Educators) America´s Chapter.
MUSIC & CONCERTS
JEAN-MARC VIGNOLI, Violinist
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.
GOKSU SANDIKCI QUINTET
Born in Istanbul, Göksu Sandıkçı's journey is a captivating blend of two worlds: the structured realm of Electronics Engineering and the soul-stirring realm of music. From her earliest days, she found herself drawn to melodies, serving as the lead singer in orchestras during her primary school years. It was there that her passion for music first took root, blossoming into a desire to explore the depths of jazz. In 2014, Göksu's jazz odyssey truly began when she attended Sibel Köse’s Jazz Workshop, marking the inception of a lifelong love affair with the genre. Fueling her ambition, she completed the Jazz Certificate Program at Bahcesehir University, solidifying her commitment and quest for musical excellence. This led her to traverse Europe, studying under the tutelage of esteemed jazz mentors. Each chord progression and improvisation became a brushstroke on the canvas of her artistry, shaping her unique voice and style. Her thirst for knowledge and artistic growth has taken her across the globe, getting various education in Poland, Italy, the UK, and the USA. Göksu had opportunities to showcase her talent not only at prestigious jazz clubs and festivals in Turkey, but also international ones such as Veneto Jazz in Italy, Mau Mau in London, San Diego Art Museum and recently in jazz clubs of Switzerland. Now residing in Switzerland, Göksu brings her eclectic music taste to the forefront, blending jazz standards with elements of funk, blues, R&B, and soul. As she takes the stage in Caux, her music will accompany the softness of the sunset. (photo Göksu: Iremnur Demir Esen)
Göksu (vocals) will be performing together with four talented musicians: Valentin Conus (sax), Pablo Klopfenstein (piano), Latyr Boyle (double bass), Gabriel Deloffre (Drums)
- 12 July, 20:00 CEST: Terrace (2nd floor), Caux Palace
ARTS & EXHIBITIONS
"TERRA HUMANA - EXPLORING HUMANITY" - AN EXHIBITION OF STONEWARE SCULPTURES BY SYLVIE ESQUERRÉ
Sylvie Esquerré's motto is: "Life is not as it is portrayed ... it is as you colour it!" After teaching mathematics, Sylvie Esquerré has been passionately devoting herself for over 10 years to wood and stoneware sculpture, two materials she often likes to combine. Various training courses with internationally-renowned ceramists such as Alberto Bustos, Stuart Williamson for modelling, Patrick Buté for research into high-temperature glazes and Anne Le Hénaff for raku have enabled her to develop her knowledge and practices, and choose her own artistic approach. She is particularly passionate about creating pieces that explore both organic and abstract forms, as well as original textures and finishes. In the future she hopes to continue perfecting her skills, to persevere in her experiments with oxides, enamels, engobes and terra sigillata, and to develop her communication skills to be able to better share her passion and her values.
- 9 July - 27 July: Salle Belle Epoque (4th floor) - Vernissage: 11 July (16:00) - Dining Room
"PAIR-ing up" - PHOTO EXHIBITION BY ACTION-PARRAINAGES & PAIRES
Action-Parrainages and l'association suisse PAIRES work hand in hand to promote encounters and the creation of links between people seeking refuge in Switzerland and people from the host society. When paths cross, friendships are forged and life paths can change. In 2016 and 2017, in response to the growing influx of refugees, projects were launched to link people who had been living in Switzerland for a long time with families, young people, men and women in exile. The aim was to get to know each other, overcome prejudices, support new arrivals in their integration and start to build together this part of the country that we share, be it for a short or a long time.
Action-Parrainages and PAIRES (Projet pour l'Aide à l'Inclusion des Réfugiés-e-s en Suisse) have similar goals and are working together to achieve them. As a tribute to how far they have come, the travelling exhibition "Faire la PAIRES" unveils some of these pairs - people who have known each other for 3 years, 3 months or... 3 days.
- 9 July - 27July: Dining Room (2nd floor) - Vernissage: 11 July (16:00) - Dining Room