Simren Cornut holds a Master's degree in contemporary history from UNIL and is now an archivist in the private sector. He trained with various university and cantonal archive services, and this year is completing a Master in Advanced Studies in archival science at the University of Bern.
The Opening Ceremony of the Caux Democracy Forum is organised by Caux Initiatives of Change in partnership with Initiatives of Change International, the Geneva Diplomatic Club, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and OHCHR,
It takes place on 15 July (16:00 CEST) at the Caux Palace, followed by a reception and concert organised with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation.
With an expected in-person attendance of three hundred people, the event will also be streamed online. If you're not planning to attend the entire four-day residential forum, you can still join us online!
Democracy is retreating across the world, and millions are denied the freedoms that they struggled to achieve. Conflict grows and cooperation shrinks, setting back global efforts to combat climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. And even in democracy’s heartlands, citizens see the disconnect between democratic ideals and their practice, and lose faith. If democracy is to be revitalised, we need to bridge this disconnect.
The Opening Ceremony for the Caux Democracy Forum sets the stage for the four-day residential event dedicated to addressing the pressing challenge of instilling democratic values in our nations. These values include integrity, accountability, transparency, and the inclusiveness of all, both majorities and minorities. Democracy can only thrive where these values motivate families and workplaces as well as politics and government.
MUSIC
WELCOME BY THE MASTER OF CEREMONY
WELCOME ADDRESS
A WELCOME FROM SWITZERLAND
MUSIC
KEYNOTE
MUSIC
KEYNOTE
MUSIC
LIVING LIBRARY: VOICES OF THE MAP
Three youth from three continents sharing testimonies of their day-to-day life and what democracy means for them
MUSIC
REFLECTIONS
WHAT'S NEXT IN CAUX?
MUSIC
REFRESHMENTS & EXPOSITION "About Democracy..."- Cartoons by Patrick Chappatte
CONCERT NOLA KIN, organised with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation
RECEPTION: Buffet-style dinner
RAYMOND LORETAN, Chairman Geneva Diplomatic Club
A former Swiss Ambassador to Singapore and Consul General in New York, Raymond Loretan is a political entrepreneur who, after leaving the Foreign Office in 2006, became Chairman and Director of several companies and foundations in fields as diverse as health, the hotel industry, chemicals, watchmaking and documentary cinema. He has been President of the Geneva Diplomatic Club since 2016, with the priority of decompartmentalising the worlds of diplomacy, economics, politics, academia and culture.
AMBASSADOR THOMAS GUERBER, Deputy State Secretary, Head of UN Division
Ambassador Thomas Guerber was appointed Head of the UN Division of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) in March 2022 and took up this role in August 2022. In January 2023 he was appointed to Deputy State Secretary. Previously, he was the Director of DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, from 1 July 2016 to July 2022. From 2010 to 2013, Ambassador Guerber was Switzerland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. From 2007 to 2010, he worked as a Counsellor for financial, budgetary, and institutional issues at Switzerland’s Permanent Mission in New York. He was also posted in London and Copenhagen and held various other functions within the FDFA’s Middle East and North Africa Division and Human Security Division, including Head of Section for Peace Policy and Human Security. He entered the Swiss diplomatic service in 1997. Thomas Guerber holds an LL.M. degree in public international law and international economic law from the University of Berne, a master’s degree in European integration and economics from Institute for European Global Studies (Basel) and a master’s degree in history and literature from the University of Basel. Thomas Guerber was born in Bangkok in 1967. He is married and has two sons. Apart from his mother tongue German, he is fluent in English and French.
NADA AL-NASHIF, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
Appointed United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights effective February 2020, Nada Al-Nashif has over 30 years of experience within the United Nations as an economist and development practitioner. Previously, Ms. Al-Nashif served as Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO (Paris), as Assistant Director-General & Regional Director of the International Labour Organization's Regional Office for Arab States (Beirut) and at the United Nations Development Programme in various headquarters (New York) and field assignments. She holds a B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Balliol, Oxford University and a Master's in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School, Harvard University.
AMBASSADOR ANDRIUS KRIVAS, Chair of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the Council of Europe
Ambassador Andrius Krivas is a Lithuanian diplomat. He is the Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the Council of Europe, where he is Chair of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies from May to November 2024. He studied International Relations and was head of the International Relations Department at the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Lithuania. From 2001 to 2003 he worked as an adviser at the integration unit of the Security Policy Department of the MFA, and later as an adviser at the Lithuanian Embassy to the United States.
From 2007 - 2008, Andrius Krivas was head of the NATO division of the Security Policy Department of the MFA, then seconded to the KAM, where he was director of the Department of International Relations and Operations. He became the secretary of the ministry in 2008, and later worked as the chief adviser of the ministry. From 2010 to 2013, he was adviser to the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the OSCE and worked as deputy minister of the MFA in 2013 - 2016. Since 1 August 2016 he was the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Lithuania to the United Nations Bureau and other international organisations in Geneva.
MARUEE PAHUJA, Expressive Arts Therapy Facilitator & Strategist, Visual Artist & Eye-care Practitioner
Maruee Pahuja, an impassioned Expressive Arts Therapy facilitator and strategist, visual artist, and eye-care practitioner, is dedicated to enriching lives through the power of arts and science. As an Expressive Arts Consultant with Caux Initiatives of Change, she contributes strategic insights to foster robust dialogues in peacebuilding using arts-based approaches. Additionally, she serves as a core team member of Creative Leadership, driving content creation and strategy. Currently, she is designing a programme/project on Conscious Art with the School of Conscious Politics and is building on a pilot program in arts-based coaching with Step Ahead Berlin, one of the leading institutes in Expressive Arts, alongside the assistant dean of the European Graduate School. At Natasha Eye Care and Research Centre, she holds the role of Head of Optometry and Specialty Contact Lens Consultant. Here, she leads and trains teams of optometrists and optometry interns, spearheads social media strategies, and delivers exceptional clinical care, specialising in innovative approaches with specialty contact lenses. Maruee's journey is marked by pioneering efforts in developing arts-based therapeutic interventions and leading workshops that inspire profound transformation. From crafting curriculums to strategizing content that incites action, Maruee navigates the complexities of human emotions and societal needs with unwavering creativity and compassion.
JONAS TRUNEH, Project Development Officer at Triangle
Jonas Truneh's journey with Caux began in 2017 during the Just Governance for Human Security conference, marking the start of his deep connection to Initiatives of Change's principles. His subsequent involvement in the Caux Scholars Program in 2018 solidified his commitment. In 2019, Jonas immersed himself in leadership principles at the Caux Peace and Leadership Programme, further cementing his dedication. Now, as a founding member of the Creative Leadership team, he continues to contribute to Caux's mission. Based in Beirut, Jonas serves as a project development officer at Triangle, a social enterprise acting as both a think tank and an international development consultancy. Leveraging his expertise in program development and project management, Jonas spearheads strategic initiatives, drawing from his rich international background. He holds an MSc in International Public Policy from University College London and a BA degree with First-Class Honours in Religion, Politics, and Society from King’s College London.
SIDRA RASLAN, Logistics and Outreach Lead Creative Leadership
Sidra Raslan from Syria is the logistics and outreach lead of Creative Leadership, a youth-led Caux Initiatives of Change initiative for young leaders that organises programmes focused on dialogue and storytelling. Sidra also volunteers on topics of refugees rights and inclusion, inner development, and youth empowerment. Sidra holds a masters degree in environmental, economic and social sustainability from UAB and works at HP on their partner sustainability programme.
PROF. RAJMOHAN GANDHI, Historian, Biographer and former Member of India’s Parliament
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.
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.
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. Ms 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. Ms 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.
SARAH NOBLE, 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.
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.
EXHIBITION "ABOUT DEMOCRACY..." - CARTOONS BY PATRICK CHAPPATTE
Press cartoons have become a recognised genre: inevitably subjective, they are artistic and journalistic representations of current events and reflect the artistic creativity of their creator, who uses drawing, typography and graphics to express his or her interpretation of the news in all its forms. The drawings on display at the Caux Palace showcase the wide range of Patrick Chappatte's artistic creativity. Patrick Chappatte was born in Pakistan in 1967 to a mother of Lebanese origin and a Swiss father. Published in the world's leading newspapers, he quickly made a name for himself with his incisive and caustic take on current affairs in Europe and around the world. He has worked for Le Temps, the NZZ, Der Spiegel, Le Canard enchaîné and The New York Times. He chairs the Freedom Cartoonist Foundation, inspired by Plantu and Nobel Peace Prize winner Kofi Annan, and is involved in a number of initiatives to promote peace and democracy around the world. The cartoons displayed at the Caux Palace reveal the full complexity of press cartoons and, more particularly, the humour and art of Patrick Chappatte! (photo: Matthieu Zellweger/cartoon: P. Chappatte)
NOLA KIN, Musician and Singer
Nola Kin is all about embracing her inner chaos and staying true to herself. The Zurich-based singer-songwriter brings raw energy to her performances. With a powerful voice and a unique guitar style, backed by a band that can range from four to seven members, including horn sections, she creates an electrifying atmosphere on stage. Nola Kin is an overthinker with a brain that does wild things, which mostly inspired her latest EP, „Mayhem“. Inspired by artists like Blake Mills, Bon Iver, and Dijon, her music blends Indie folk, soul, country, and Americana into a lush sound with attitude. For Nola Kin, music is therapy—a way to let go and be herself. From the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival to venues in Copenhagen, Nola Kin's performances have left audiences captivated. She is currently nominated for the "Artist Award" at the Swiss Music Awards, an honor reserved for exceptional musicians. This concert takes place with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artist Foundation. (photo: Andrin Fretz)
The Opening Ceremony of the Caux Democracy Forum will take place on 15 July (16:00 - 17:45 CEST) at the Caux Palace.
If you're not planning to attend the full four-day residential Caux Demoracy Forum, you can still register for the opening ceremony and join us in Caux or online. To secure your place for the Opening Ceremony, we kindly ask you to fill out the online registration form from 20 March onwards.
Please note that
The Caux Democracy Forum starts with the Opening Ceremony at the Caux Palace on Monday, 15 July at 16:00 CEST.
Attendees who have booked the full-residential Caux Democracy Forum package (15 - 19 July) are kindly asked to check in on 15 July from 15:00 CEST. For participants who arrive early on 15 July and would like to drop off their luggage at the Caux Palace before official check-in times a luggage room will be available.
For further information, please get in touch BY EMAIL.
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The organisation will leverage the expertise and diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds of members within the Initiatives of Change network, as well as strengthen and cultivate partnerships.
Partnership lies at the heart of the Caux Foundation's endeavors, with a commitment to fostering a collaborative and cooperative mindset that permeates Caux's culture, strategies, and operations.
The Geneva Diplomatic Club is recognised as the official Club of International Geneva by the Swiss Confederation, the Republic and Canton of Geneva, the City of Geneva and the United Nations Office at Geneva. Its mission is to bring the international community together, stimulate links and exchanges, and contribute to the development of relations with the host state. Its 850 members are representative of the diversity of players in International Geneva (diplomats, international civil servants, directors of non-governmental organisations, Swiss personalities and businessmen).
The Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Office (OHCHR) works for the protection of all human rights for all people; to help empower people to realise their rights; and to assist those responsible for upholding such rights in ensuring that they are implemented. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights exercises principal responsibility for UN human rights activities and is mandated to respond to serious violations of human rights and to undertake preventive action. The office was established by the United Nations General Assembly on 20 December 1993 in the wake of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights.
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) represents Switzerland abroad. The FDFA protects Switzerland’s interests abroad and implements the Federal Council’s foreign policy. This involves fostering and expanding relations with neighbouring states and the EU. The FDFA also wants to improve its services for Swiss living abroad by modernising its technology.
The Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation is a Swiss private charitable foundation with its center for dialogue, the Caux Palace, in Caux, above Montreux, Switzerland. The Caux Palace has become a historic venue bringing together a diverse range of people to address the world’s political, economic and societal challenges together. Caux Initiatives of Change mission is to provide a safe and privileged space to inspire, equip and connect individuals, groups and organisations from around the globe to engage effectively and innovatively in the promotion of trust, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security.
Initiatives of Change International is a voluntary, donation- and grant-funded nonprofit association of national legal bodies (national teams) and international programmes. Registered in Caux, Switzerland, they coordinate the world-wide Initiatives of Change people’s movement, uniting a community of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are committed to the transformation of society through changes in human motives and behaviour, starting with their own.
Initiatives of Change International have special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the UN (ECOSOC), participatory status at the Council of Europe as well as a seat at the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
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Welcome at the Opening Ceremony of the Caux Democracy Forum in Caux (15 July 2024).
Please note that the announced times are based on CEST time and that this programme might be subject to change.
You can find detailed information on the event and our speakers & artists here:
* Opening Ceremony Caux Democracy Forum - 15 July 2024, 16:00 CEST
* Download the programme (overview)
MUSIC
WELCOME BY THE MASTER OF CEREMONY
WELCOME ADDRESS
A WELCOME FROM SWITZERLAND
MUSIC
KEYNOTE
MUSIC
KEYNOTE
MUSIC
LIVING LIBRARY: VOICES OF THE MAP
Three youth from three continents sharing testimonies of their day-to-day life and what democracy means for them
MUSIC
REFLECTIONS
WHAT'S NEXT IN CAUX?
MUSIC
Organised with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation
Evelyn Vy Nguyen is from Vietnam and came to Switzerland in 2013 where she studied at SHMS at the Caux Palace and completed her Bachelor degree in International Hospitality Management. She has fallen in love with Switzerland and has a great passion for the business and hospitality industry. She has been to Asia, Europe, America and Australia as she loves to explore many different cultures and cuisines from all around the world.
Amid escalating conflicts worldwide, the arts emerge as a potent force to challenge misconceptions and foster positive perspectives. The pivotal role of artists in creatively raising awareness has never been more important. Last summer, at the Caux Forum, three remarkable artists offered profound reflections on diverse realities.
A dark theatre with dimmed light in blue and purple, just enough to see where you are going without stumbling. In a corner, an accoustic guitar, playing music - etheric, haunting and beautiful. A range of photos projected on the ceiling. And a woman, sitting alone on the stage in front of a camp fire, carving wooden sticks into stakes to protect her home, while behind her, a video projection shows her lying in a glass container in the cold water of a river.
Talking feels out of place, even whispering is conceived as a disturbance. Listening, watching, writing seem the best way to absorb what is going on. The music never stops and neither does the woman on stage, carving the wooden stakes at the fire in the middle of a war, far from home.
Between the rows of empty seats there are signs, maze-like, with stark words in bold: “Shelter” or “Home?” and visitors are discreetly urged to ponder their definition of home before departing.
This evocative visual arts installation, brought to the Caux Palace during the Caux Forum 2023 by Ukrainian artists Polina Kuznietsova and Kateryna (Katya) Tretiakova, alongside Norwegian musician Sveinung Nygaard, offers a poignant testament to the power of art in fostering empathy and understanding amidst turmoil.
Polina and Katya, tell us about yourself!
Polina: I am Polina Kuznietsova, I am an artist from Kharkiv, Ukraine and I do exhibitions. Most of the time I do paintings but I am also interested in analytical psychology.
Katya: My name is Kateryna - or Katya - Tretiakova and I also live in Ukraine. I am a photographer and I am also a psychologist.
Are you both full-time artists or is art a hobby for you?
Polina: There were tense situations in my life when I was wondering whether to become a full-time artist or not and every time I felt it like a crisis. But how can I not be an artist when I am an artist?
Katya: For me it is a bit different. I started studying psychology, but photography has always been my hobby. At some time it turned into my profession. But when I finish with my studies, I am thinking of combining both and bring a more therapeutic sense of psychology into photography. It is something I originally never believed it might be possible. But there is a branch in psychology which is called photo-therapy. It means dealing with and talking about feelings through images, through photography. It can be very helpful, especially for people who find it hard to express what they feel through words.There are different techniques, like choosing and talking about a picture that shows what I feel or picking a picture that I feel is important to me and talk about that. I love talking about this! (laughs).
Do you feel that combining those two fields is going to be important for your country and the people there?
Katya: When the war started I was wondering what I could I do for my country. At the beginning I was thinking that maybe I should go to the front line, but frankly speaking I am not a great warrior. But photography and psychology can help others, so I hope that I can be helpful through what I love doing.
The art project you brought to Caux is called “Home?”. Why is there a question mark at the end?
Polina: The topic of home worries me much because at my home right now not everything is good and this is something I am constantly thinking about. When I travel I always think about what I can do for myself in order to feel at home. Not long ago I went to my original home where I come from. But I didn’t really feel at home anymore. Something was missing. There was a lack of something. I guess it was security.
Where is home for you?
Polina: That is a good question. My home is Ukraine. My home is Kharkiv. This is where my family and friends are. But now it’s so hard to go there and have all this.
At the arts installation there is a also video where we can see you in a glass container in the water. What made you think of this idea - of being in the water but nevertheless visible?
Polina: I actually wrote a long article about this. I was mainly thinking of the attack to a power station in Ukraine and I was thinking of different meanings. The glass container could represent part of a Museum of Anatomy and I was in there, like an object or like an expression, trying to imagine what it could be like to be in cold water. It was very cold and I stayed for 85 minutes in all. I hadn't really thought before how long I would stay in the water. Originally I wanted to do this performance at a different place but then I chose this one because I really liked it.
Katya, tell me about your role in the arts project.
Katya: There was this project I did with a friend back home. She is a photographer and artist and she has been to different places and she was also visiting military. She has been at the front line and I thought it would be interesting to talk about this and express through her story what other people might go through. In the "HOME?" arts installation we projected some of my photos onto the ceiling and I read out aloud our personal views about home to the audience.
While you are in the theatre as a spectator, you ask them to write down what you feel.
Katya: Yes, I ask some people who come in: "What is home for you? Can you please share and also your feelings when you think about this." Some of them shared, but others decided to keep their emotions to themselves.
There is a contradiction when you are in the room – the light and the music made you feel like a cocoon, it felt...nice. On the other hand, the topic is definitely not "nice". Was the way you prepared the setting deliberate?
Katya: Probably it’s what you felt personally. I am actually happy that you experienced it as nice to be there, even though the topic was so difficult. Some people who came just felt bad in general. But everyone has a right to their own feelings.
Do you think there are limits of what art can do, for example in a situation like back at your home in Ukraine?
Katya: My answer is short: Art has no limits!
What encourages you most as an artist? What makes you tick?
Polina: For me, art is a type of reflection of what is happening inside and outside of me.
What is currently on the horizon for you as an artist?
Katya: I hope that I can use photography and my knowledge in psychology in order to help people to build up the confidence they lost through traumatic events in their lives and I would like to support people with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) to come back to life.
Do you think your arts installation has its place here in Caux, that it is important to be here? What is your hope for this installation at the Caux Palace?
Polina: After the attacks when something really terrible happened I realized that the world wasn’t paying much attention to it. When I came here with this performance I was hoping to share about this and I hope that in Caux there are people who will see and notice it. Another reason for bringing the project here was also because it is a way to express what I feel.
Katya: I feel it definitely plays a huge role here, especially for people who don’t know much about what is happening. We didn't only do several performances during the Caux Forum but we wanted to go even further in making people think. So after Polina had finished carving the wooden sticks into pointed stakes, we went into the Caux Palace gardens and stuck them into the ground, like a fence, as a symbolic protection for Caux.
This is your first time at the Caux Palace. How does it feel to be in this environment with so many people from all over the world?
Katya: It’s very exciting, I must confess. I have met and talked to people from countries I have never been to and which whom I have never managed to talk to before. It’s very interesting for me to hear opinions I might not always share, but just to see and hear the difference.
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Polina Kuznietsova was born in 1985 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. She graduated from the Kharkiv Art Academy of Design and Arts at tje Faculty of Fine Arts, specializing in easel painting. She has has been engaged in fine arts since 2008, has taken part in international exhibitions and her paintings are part of private collections in Ukraine, the US, Estonia, China, and the Philippines. Her art has been described as "magical realism." and her paintings often show the space of dreams rather than time and reality. Polina prefers to combine volume with decorative elements rather than perspective. In her texts and paintings, she reflects on external events and internal personal processes and since February 2022, she has been focusing all her creativity and thoughts on raising awareness to the events in her country. As it is not easy for her in current circumstances to dedicate a lot of time expressing herself with painting techniques, Polina has also been engaged in media art and performance where she appreciates the technique of quick and immediate reaction to events.
Kateryna (Katya) Tretiakova was born in Kremenchuk, Ukraine. She is a photographer and currently studying for a degree in psychology. Her favourite genres in photography are portraits and body image. For her, the camera is a tool which helps her freeze a moment in order "to catch a little thought in a person's eyes". Katya is passionate about combining her two activities in order to be able to help others overcome trauma and difficult times in their lives: "They may seem like very different fields, but in my mind, they are very close. (...) Both, conversation and photography, may heal if the listener/viewer is attentive, tolerant and open-hearted."
Sveinung Nygaard is from Norway and works as a professional composer, with MA in Audio Production from University of Westminster. He has composed music for world handball championship in Qatar, the TV series Freej in Dubai and has his own musical project called FLYT which explores how music can unite a mosaic of cultures. Sveinung believes in telling stories with music and connecting people. Sveinung gave several performances last year during the Caux Forum 2023, including the Opening Ceremony and the arts installation "HOME?".
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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, trust, peacebuilding and positive social change. We are therefore delighted that the Caux Palace theatre continues to serve this purpose and look forward to offering more inspiring events.
Interview & video by Ulrike Ott Chanu
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The Caux Forum 2023 Opening Ceremony set the tone for the conference with the theme, ‘Strengthening Democracy: The Journey from Trauma to Trust.’. Discover the report and relive the highlights of this...
In a world filled with diverse cultures and languages, the journey of musician Tsvetana Petrushina is an inspiring tale of how she discovered her purpose. Her remarkable story led her to the Caux Pala...
We are excited to announce the Caux Forum will be back in Caux next summer! Find out more and save the date! ...
Arpan Yagnik, a participant of last year's Creative Leadership conference and team member of the IofC Hub 2021, talks to Mary Lean about creativity, fear and vocation. ...
When Indonesian law student Agustina Zahrotul Jannah discovered the Young Ambassadors Programme (YAP) on Google she felt both excited and hopeless: excited because she hoped it might give her the skil...
How did Sofia Syodorenko become involved in the zero waste movement, and what does it mean to her? Now Chair of Foundations for Freedom, she is also a representative of the Zero Waste Alliance Ukraine...
The second in Tools for Changemakers’ series of Stories for Changemakers took place on 25 August 2021, with an interview with Patrick Magee, who planted a bomb at the Grand Hotel, Brighton, in 1984, w...
The Summer Academy on Climate, Land and Security 2021 brought together 29 participants from 20 countries. From Egypt and Senegal to the United States and Thailand, zoom windows opened for six hours ev...
The Caux Dialogue on Environment and Security (CDES) 2021 ran online from 20 July until 30 July, for the second consecutive year, comprising three open plenaries and seven workshops. This year’s discu...
2021’s Creative Leadership conference took participants on a six-day journey ‘From Uncertainty to Possibility’. Between 25 to 31 July around 150 online participants living in over 50 countries engaged...
The Opening Ceremony for the Caux Inner Development Goals Forum will be held at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva. Bringing together 200 participants and distinguished speakers drawn from the Inner Development Goals and Initiatives of Change communities, civil society, government, youth movements, academia and business, the ceremony promises to be a vibrant convergence of ideas and perspectives.
Following the ceremony, attendees will have the opportunity to network and engage further during a coffee break. For those attending the full-residential Caux IDG Forum, transport will be arranged to the Caux Palace afterwards where the evening meal will be served.
The Caux IDG Forum Opening Ceremony is co-organised by Caux Initiatives of Change, the Inner Development Goals Foundation and the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica to the United Nations Office in Geneva in partnership with Initiatives of Change International.
Please note that this programme is still subject to change.
MUSIC
WELCOME BY THE MODERATOR
WELCOME ADDRESS
REMARKS
KEYNOTE
MUSIC
IGNITE TALK
CULTIVATING OUR COURAGE IN TIMES OF CHANGE
MUSIC
UNVEILING THE PATH WITHIN: A FRAMEWORK FOR INNER DEVELOPMENT GOALS
LIVING LIBRARY: VOICES OF THE MAP
Three youth from three continents sharing testimonies of their day-to-day life and what inner development means to them.
REFLECTIONS
MUSIC
Jean-Marc Vignoli, Violinist
COMMEMORATION CORNELIO SOMMARUGA
MUSIC
CLOSING: WHAT'S NEXT IN CAUX?
Refreshments & Networking
Bus Transfer to the Caux Palace for the participants of the full-residential Caux Inner Development Goals Forum
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.
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.
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.
RAJMOHAN GANDHI, Historian, biographer, former President of Initiatives of Change International
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.
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.
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.
To honour Cornelio Sommaruga, former President of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation and founder of the International Association of Initiatives of Change, a testimonial will be given by Andrew Stallybrass, who worked alongside Mr Sommaruga for many years, and Jacqueline Coté, President of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation. A symbolic gesture marking Mr Sommaruga's lasting contribution to the movement will accompany these testimonies.
The participation at the Opening Ceremony on 9 July at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva (14:30 - 17:00 CEST) is free! If you wish to attend the Opening Ceremony only without registering for the full Caux IDG Forum, please register here! You can also join us online!
For any further information, don't hesitate to reach out and contact us by EMAIL.
Please note that if you have already registered or are planning to register for the full residential Caux IDG Forum at the Caux Palace, you do not need to register separately for the Opening Ceremony as it is part of your package.
The Caux IDG Forum will start with the Opening Ceremony in Geneva on Tuesday, 9 July (14:30 - 17:00 CEST). Attendees who have signed up for the full residential Caux IDG Forum are encouraged go straight to Geneva and travel up to Caux following the Opening Ceremony. Information on transportation from Geneva to the Caux Palace will be communicated to all confirmed participants prior to the event. For those who prefer to check in earlier or drop off luggage beforehand at the Caux Palace, our reception in Caux will be available from 10:00 CEST on 9 July, 2024. A safe luggage room will also be available at the Maison de la Paix in Geneva.
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Save the date for the Caux Forum 2024! This summer Caux Initiatives of Change, in partnership with Initiatives of Change International and supported by other civil society networks, UN agencies, phila...
The Caux Forum 2023 Opening Ceremony set the tone for the conference with the theme, ‘Strengthening Democracy: The Journey from Trauma to Trust.’. Discover the report and relive the highlights of this...
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Welcome at the Opening Ceremony of the Caux Inner Development Goals Forum in Caux (9 July 2024).
Please note that the announced times are based on CEST time and that this programme might be subject to change.
You can find detailed information on the event and our speakers & artists here:
WELCOME BY THE MODERATOR
WELCOME ADDRESS
REMARKS
KEYNOTE
MUSIC
IGNITE TALK
CULTIVATING OUR COURAGE IN TIMES OF CHANGE
MUSIC
UNVEILING THE PATH WITHIN: A FRAMEWORK FOR INNER DEVELOPMENT GOALS
MUSIC
LIVING LIBRARY: VOICES OF THE MAP
Three youth from three continents sharing testimonies of their day-to-day life and what inner development means to them.
MUSIC
REFLECTIONS
MUSIC
Jean-Marc Vignoli, Violinist
COMMEMORATION CORNELIO SOMMARUGA
CLOSING: WHAT'S NEXT IN CAUX?
For the participants of the full-residential Caux Inner Develoment Goals Forum
We are delighted to welcome Sarah Noble who joined our team as our new Head of Global Engagement in International Geneva.
Sarah has dedicated her career to peacebuilding for a better world and is passionate about leveraging the power of storytelling to build peace among individuals and for the planet as a whole. In her TEDx talk, Storytelling is Our Real-Life Superpower, she invites us to embrace this ability to confront the existential issues of our time and create a better future.
Prior to joining our foundation, Sarah has held leadership positions at international organisations focused on peacebuilding, humanitarian issues, and independent media. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in strategic communications, fundraising, and partnerships in the field of international peace and security. Sarah is also co-founder and Curator of the Peace Talks and has hosted over 20 editions of the event in more than 8 countries, with a cumulative audience exceeding 8,000 attendees.
In her new position, Sarah will play a key role in strategic and highlevel representation of the Caux Foundation at the United Nations, external events, high-level working groups and through partnerships. Building and leveraging networks and alliances, she will help strengthen the impact and outreach of the Caux Foundation within International Geneva, and solidify the role of the Caux Palace as a Centre for Inner Development Goals.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Tell us about your background, Sarah.
My background is in the peace and security sector. I worked for many years in a peacebuilding organisation and also in the non-profit media space.
What are you passionate about in your work?
I am really passionate about the role stories play, how we understand the world and how we make change. Change, starting with each one of us, is one of the core elements of Initiatives of Change and I am therefore excited to be part of the Caux Foundation team.
What inspired you to join the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation?
I was inspired to join the Foundation because of its mission to promote a more just and peaceful society. That’s the kind of world I want to live in and I want to spend every day that I can ensuring that me and my children and all of us can live in a more peaceful world.
What is your favourite place at the Caux Palace?
It’s the Main Hall where the Caux Forums take place each July, like the two forums coming up this summer on the Inner Development Goals and on democracy. It's not only the beauty of this room with amazes me, but I am also in awe of all those important peacebuilding moments which have taken place right here, like the reconciliation between Germans and French after World War II, the dialogues to promote peace in the Great Lake Region in the early 2000s, or the launch of the international women's initiative Creators of Peace.
Welcome to the team, Sarah, and all the best for this new adventure!
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