Congratulations to the city of Montreux, which has been awarded the prestigious label of UNESCO City of Music and is now Switzerland's first UNESCO Creative City, along with Fribourg, which becomes City of Gastronomy.

We commend Montreux for its outstanding efforts in uniting various cultural stakeholders in the realm of music, resulting in a vibrant tapestry of musical diversity, spanning genres such as jazz, classical, electronic, and a myriad of cultural contributors in the region.

We are delighted to be partnering with the Saison Culturelle de Montreux on the Emergences Musicales programme in December and look forward to welcoming both artists and audiences at our centre, the historic Caux Palace, nestled high above Montreux, a venue steeped in rich artistic heritage. Our local roots are important to us and, as part of the municipality of Montreux, we are dedicated to utilizing our various spaces, including the theatre, event spaces, and the picturesque gardens, to contribute to the deployment of this important designation.

"In a time when our world faces immense global and human challenges, the need for places of solace, contemplation, and the exploration of potential futures is paramount. Initiatives that allow us to recharge and reflect are indispensable. Caux Initiatives of Change enthusiastically anticipates an enriching partnership with Montreux to enhance and strengthen the offerings, guided by our core principles, as we collectively work towards a sustainable future." says Anne-Catherine Sutermeister, responsible for Community Engagement, Arts and Training Programmes at Caux Initiatives of Change.

• Discover the Caux Palace and its possibilities and offers for cultural and musical events
• Find out more about our concept of Hospitality for Change

Photo top: Adrien Giovannelli

Geneva Peace Week is a leading annual forum in the international peacebuilding calendar and provides a platform to share and exchange knowledge and best practices on a diverse range of topics related to peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

With 64 events in 3 thematic tracks, the 2023 edition of Geneva Peace Week (30 Oct - 3 Nov 2023) celebrated the forum's 10th anniversary and brought together 224 speakers and 3.000+ participants from all over the globe on the theme "Building Trust, Building Peace: An Agenda for the Future",

It has been an honour to have been part of this anniversary edition, represented by our Executive Director, Ignacio Packer, who moderated a workshop on 2 November on how to increase our collective abilities to face complex challenges and promote peace and inclusive societies. Additionally Daniel Clements, Programme Manager of Creative Leadership, participated as a speaker and facilitator  and also co-moderated the PeaceTalks event on 1 November.

But once the curtains are drawn and the week is over - where do we go from here? Against the backdrop of current geopolitical realities, Ignacio Packer reflects on a week rich with emotions but also full of inspiring initiatives, encouraging stories, cooperation, hope and new possibilities.

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When I look at today's realities, I somehow can't help but feel that we have ignored some basic principles that should be applied to the prevention or resolution of all conflicts: the eight core principles of peace which are the foundation of the Peacemaking Covenant! As a result, this has created a peacemaking vacuum that is most often filled by powerful nations concentrating their attention on the conflicts which affect them rather than looking at the global picture.

We tend to sidestep the time-tested premise of negotiation, a crucial element in preventing the deterioration of a bad situation and at the very least offering the potential of a bloodless solution.

The silence and the inaction of many powerful leaders today constitutes the complicity in the senseless and excessively brutal destruction of civilian life. Across the globe, the ongoing nightmares for many pose also a threat to us all. Is it possible that we have forgotten the path to peace?

During Geneva Peace Week 2023, organized by the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform in collaboration with its partners, we reflected on how to strengthen trust, foster cooperation and pave the way for a more peaceful future.

Last week was not only a unique opportunity to reflect on the peacebuilding achievements and setbacks of the past. I am deeply grateful for the possibility to exchange with others and for the stories and best practices which were shared. It is good to know we are not alone in our peace efforts and we need to benefit from existing initiatives and skills. These fresh insights and concrete and bold recommendations coming out of Geneva Peace Week will hopefully pave the way for a strong Agenda for the Future and enable us to address current issues more effectively, to build trust, wherever we are, and to shape a New Agenda for Peace.

Ambassador Patricia Danzi, Director-General of the Swiss Development Cooperation (FDFA), said at Geneva Peace Week: 'We should talk about peace every day of the year." Initiatives of Change believes that each person has something unique to contribute to building a just, peaceful and sustainable world. As a people’s movement with a track record of more than 75 years in peacebuilding and reconciliation, we therefore focus on the vital link between personal change and global change, and we aim to inspire, support and equip people and organisations to help them play their part in building a better society. 

This is our contribution to (re)building trust across our world's divides as the core foundation for sustainable peace - at Geneva Peace Week and throughout the year. Together, every day of the year, let us advance step by step along the path to peace that the world so urgently needs!

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Ignacio Packer is the Executive Director of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation. He has over 30 years of experience in humanitarian work and development issues, is an expert on human rights and social issues and has been strongly engaged in global advocacy on protection frameworks for migrant and refugees with a particular focus on children and youth.  

Captivating songs in three languages. An exceptional venue. And an international audience from all walks of life. When Maria de la Paz and her talented musicians stepped onto the stage of the Caux Palace theatre on 13 September, their performance left no-one indifferent.

Their songs, performed in front of more than 300 people, including representatives from the humanitarian sector, local cultural associations and refugees, spoke of hope, passion, shared values and humanity, transcending differences in our backgrounds and origins. The concert was the highlight of an evening, organized by Caux Initiatives of Change, that included speeches from UNHCR and the Swiss association PAIRES, on the concept of hospitality for change and the support and inclusion of migrants (read more about our collaboration).

Turning points

When you see Maria de la Paz's performance on stage and look at her boundless energy and charisma, it is hard to believe that being a musician didn't come naturally to her. Born in Argentina as the youngest of 7 brothers and sisters, she left for Europe when she was twenty-two years old. At the time, she was still searching for herself, trying to find her place in life.  Switzerland became an anchor point in her travels. She started working as a street musician, but initially was even too shy to look at the people around her. One day a man stopped and said: "You sing very well...but we can't really hear you"!

It was one of the turning points in her life and Maria de la Paz is convinced that there were specific moments and encounters with people - some seemingly random, others more obvious - which have made a big impact on her as a person and as a musician:  "I sensed that life was sending me signals, indicating that there was a purpose I could fulfill. It gave me a direction to explore. When I sing, I see those appreciative looks and hear people saying 'Thank you,' and I respond with, 'No, thank YOU!' Finally I felt genuinely valuable in this world."

Looking for the spark

To this day, Maria de la Paz still likes to perform in a setting that allows her to be close to her audience, such as an unplugged concert or a festival, because she feels that the natural connection to the people around her is a deeply enriching experience. And it is this search to bring people together, to touch them through her music, that lies at the heart of her work as an artist today: "When I feel that I have something to give to people, my self-confidence settles in. I feel love, a feeling that gets stronger and stronger and this is where I find freedom. When you are on stage you have this need as an artist to feel that you have something to give. And if I feel that there could be an opening, a spark, a reflection, or just a feeling of well-being in the audience - I am very grateful!"

The spark was definitely there during her concert at the Caux Palace theatre where she captivated the audience with the poetic melodies and texts of the late artist Lhasa de Sela.

For Maria de la Paz, Lhasa's legacy endures through her songs that speak about life, about the other, about oneself and the human condition: "The show existed already but it was funny how it fit the occasion of the concert in Caux. We didn't change anything and I felt it was very coherent (with the theme of the evening). As the concert went along, I felt there was a logic in the reactions of the audience. This is beautiful because it makes you realize that we are not alone and there is so much to do."

And she concludes: "Humanity has always been like that, full of contradictions and contrast. But rather than succumbing to feelings of frustration and helplessness, I harness my creativity to confront these issues through my music. But I try not to empty myself too much by a feeling of rage and helplessness. And so I fill myself with what I can do."

Reconnecting the past to the future

At Initiatives of Change, the arts have always played an important role in connecting people and in creating bridges across our world's divides. Our concept of Hospitality for Change is not only about providing the best possible welcome and service at the Caux Palace, but also about recognising the power of artistic expression to promote understanding, reconciliation and positive social change and the message of Maria de la Paz’s concert fully aligned with these values. We are therefore delighted that the Caux Palace theatre continues to serve this purpose and look forward to offering more inspiring events.

When you are on stage you have this need as an artist to feel that you have something to give. And if I feel that there could be an opening, a spark, a reflection, or just a feeling of well-being in the audience - I am very grateful!

Maria de la Paz

By Ulrike Ott Chanu

In a world filled with diverse cultures and languages, the journey of musician Tsvetana Petrushin, is an inspiring tale of how she discovered her purpose. Her remarkable story led her to the Caux Palace, where she found support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging which has transformed her life.

Early Years and Musical Passion

Tsvetana’s upbringing in Russia was marked by her deep connection to music. Growing up in a family with a strong musical background, she developed a keen ear for music and a passion for singing in various languages.

Tsvetana earnt a grant to study at a local conservatory. During that time, she could hear the notes she longed to sing, but her voice refused to comply, leaving her plagued by self-doubt, only exacerbated by a lack of support from family and teachers.

Upon leaving the conservatory she made three significant discoveries that would contribute to her transformation.

Firstly, she delved into yoga and simultaneously explored Mongolian Tibetan singing. These practices taught her how to connect with her inner self, sense the vibrations and energy within, and ultimately find the elusive notes she longed to sing. Her third discovery was jazz music, which gave her a well needed sense of freedom.

Her life took an unexpected turn when she met a friend online from Ukraine. Seizing the opportunity for adventure and personal growth, she embarked on a journey with him hitchhiking across Russia and Belarus to Ukraine, where they eventually got married. Though the marriage eventually ended, it marked a crucial chapter in her life. 

Journey to the Caux Palace

When war erupted in Ukraine, Tsvetana found her way to a small village near the Hungarian border, unable to return to Russia due to her investment in her life in Ukraine. She sought refuge in a theatre where she lived alongside 30 others whilst volunteering in the village. It was at this time that she learnt of a woman who regularly helped people travel to Switzerland so she took this opportunity to start her new life.  

A couple of weeks after arriving in Switzerland, Tsvetana was granted refugee status and she chose to settle in Montreux, a natural option for a music lover. This was a very difficult time for her, where she continued to be plagued with self doubt about her purpose in life and future. 

It was at one of those bad moments, in her search for harmony and balance, that Tsvetana found herself at the Caux Palace one summer's day. Having persuaded the person at the entrance to let her spend a short time on the terrace, she could not resist sitting down at the grand piano on her way back through the Main Hall. Thinking she was alone she sang one of her songs, but her music caught the ear of a guest at the conference being held that week in Caux by Hatch a community of innovators focused on activating creativity for a better world. This lady invited Tsvetana to stay for the conference.

The Caux Palace: A Place of Transformation

During the Hatch conference, attendees were asked 5 times the same question: Why are you here? For Tsvetana her realization was that she felt she had found a family in Caux: the non-judgmental, caring environment filled with people who encouraged her to be herself was something she had been yearning for.

These remarks resonated deeply with Ignacio Packer, Executive Director of Caux Initiatives of Change, also present at the meeting, and he invited Tsvetana to return to the Caux Palace on several occasions thereafter to share her music and story with others.

A Harmonious Future

The Caux Palace emerged as the backdrop for Tsvetana's personal and creative transformation. Here, she found a space where her voice was heard and her ideas were valued. The sense of support, faith, and belief in others at Caux Palace became instrumental in her journey. “It’s so strange that people are taught to believe in God but not to believe in themselves”, she concludes.

These moments in Caux helped her realize that to bring about change in society, one must start with individual change. This profound insight echoes the principles of Initiatives of Change that change starts with me and personal transformation is the foundation for global transformation

Tsvetana now envisions a path where she can combine music with psychology to help people find their own voices. Her belief is that true harmony can only be achieved when the soul is in tune with the voice. Her story reminds us that finding one's purpose and embracing personal change can be the catalyst for creating a better world.

It’s so strange that people are taught to believe in God but not to believe in themselves.

Tsvetana Petrushina