Caux Arts and Peace Encounters 

The Caux Arts and Peace Encounters, to be held in Caux, Switzerland, from 12 - 14 May 2025, aims to inspire, connect, and equip individuals with the skills and qualities needed to foster peace through the power of art and dialogue.

The 2-day residential event is being designed to allow participants from around the world the time to gain some perspective, retreat from the bustling routine and find a space that allows for silent reflection, creative collaboration and the exchange of ideas and experiences. 

We envisage 50 participants, including artists, change makers, policy makers, academics and experts, with a focus on conflict-affected contexts. The Encounters will promote the exploration of artistic and peacebuilding strategies  as well as an exchange of experiences on the role of art in conflict prevention and resolution, memory work, social therapy and the promotion of sustainable peace.  

This is the inaugural edition of an annual event, which is part of a broader three-year Arts and Peace Encounters Programme, organized by the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation.

 

Art is more than aesthetics; it’s a universal language that transcends borders and ideologies….Art brings people together by fostering empathy, offering alternative narratives, and creating spaces for dialogue. From Myanmar to Colombia, we see how art not only expresses personal stories but also builds bridges between divided communities.”

Rudi von Planta, Swiss Development Cooperation, Geneva Peace Week event on Arts and Peace Encounters, 18 October 2024

Why these Encounters? 

The Arts and Peace Encounters are set against the backdrop of a world grappling with unprecedented challenges to peace and intercultural understanding. Today, the levels of violent conflict have surpassed those seen at any time since the end of the Second World War. This crisis underscores the urgent need for innovative approaches to foster dialogue and resolve conflicts through non-violent means.

The arts offer a powerful tool for societal transformation. They provide individuals and communities with empathy, hope, and the motivation to act, creating pathways for healing and connection. By engaging the imagination, the arts inspire shifts in perspective—moving away from binary and linear thinking to embrace more holistic and inclusive experiences. Over the years, various strategies have demonstrated the arts’ potential to bring transformation to conflict-affected regions and fragile contexts, highlighting their role in creating meaningful change.

The main venues for the Arts and Peace Encounters will be the Caux Palace, a former Belle Époque grand hotel, and the Villa Maria, nestling in the mountains above Montreux at an altitude of 1,000 metres. With its breathtaking views of the Leman and the Alps, it offers a unique and inspiring setting.  

What Practical Outputs?

We aim for the Encounters to be more than a standalone event; they will serve as the foundation for building a vibrant, ongoing community of individuals and organizations working at the intersection of arts and peace. To sustain this engagement, we plan to host regular online gatherings every 2-3 months, providing a consistent space for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and mutual support.

In addition to these gatherings, we intend to create tangible resources to amplify the impact of the Encounters. One such resource will be a film that captures key moments, stories, and insights from participants, showcasing the transformative potential of combining arts and peacebuilding. Another will be a practical toolkit that equips participants to share their experiences, replicate successful practices, and inspire broader participation in this movement.

Furthermore, we are exploring the development of a physical manifesto. This manifesto could articulate the shared values, goals, and commitments of this growing community. Once finalized, it will be opened for signatures from individuals and organizations worldwide, serving as a rallying point to extend the impact and visibility of the Encounters.

Together, these initiatives aim to create a ripple effect, deepening connections among participants, expanding awareness of the critical role of arts in peacebuilding, and mobilizing collective action globally.

Why the Caux Foundation? 

Caux Initiatives of Change is a Swiss foundation that organizes year-round programmes and events across Switzerland, specifically in the areas of peace, reconciliation, trust building and ethical leadership. Along its almost 80 years of history, art has been part of the Initiatives of Change’s DNA.

The Caux Palace has a superb Belle Époque theater and plays, particularly musical theater, have been performed for many years in Caux and around the world as vehicles to convey messages about the organization's mission and values.

Throughout the years, Caux programming fostered a network of people who share the belief that different forms of art can be positive and powerful forces for change in personal lives and the world at large. 

Most recently Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation is renewing its work in this area which included a soft launch and benefit concert with world renowned pianist Khatia Buniatishvilli in May 2024 as well as through a special event during the Geneva Peace Week in October 2024.

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