Caux Inner Development Goals Forum 2025

PROGRAMME

Navigating Our New World: Inner Development for Global Action

28 July - 01 August 2025

Registration Deadline: 31 May 2025

Join us next July for the second edition of the Caux IDG Forum!

In a time of profound global shifts, how do we navigate uncertainty, build resilience, connect across divides and drive meaningful change? The Caux Inner Development Goals Forum 2025 (28 July - 1 August 2025) invites leaders, changemakers, and organizations from around the world to explore these urgent questions through a transformative journey of inner development for global action.

This immersive five-day experience fosters deep connection, inner reflection, and collective action guided by U-theory, Initiatives of Change inner reflection practices, academic research and indigenous wisdom. Participants will engage in dialogues, workshops, and mindfulness practices designed to strengthen leadership, bridge divides, and create lasting impact.

Join the Forum Journey:

DAY 1 | Welcome & Connection – Arriving with intention: grounding in nature, self, and community
DAY 2 | Sensing Reality – Engaging diverse perspectives to understand systemic global challenges
DAY 3 | Presencing – Connecting to Inner Wisdom & Purpose
DAY 4 | Co-Creating – Prototyping & Designing Solutions
DAY 5 | Closing the Loop – Reflection, commitment, and pathways for continued impact

Join us in Caux, Switzerland, to be inspired, contribute and co-create with a global community committed to shaping a more resilient and compassionate world.

The Venue: The Caux Palace near Montreux, Switzerland

The Caux IDG Forum takes place in our centre for dialogue and peacebuilding - the Caux Palace, a former Belle Époque Grand Hotel nestled in the mountains 1000m above sea level.  With its breathtaking view over the Léman and the Alps, it provides a unique and inspiring setting.

What participants can expect

Unlike traditional conferences, the Caux IDG Forum offers participants a transformative highly participative immersive experience designed to provide perspective and space for deep reflection.

By stepping away from daily routines, participants are empowered to explore their potential as changemakers and develop innovative approaches to personal and collective transformation.

Inspiring plenary sessions featuring global thought leaders
Interactive workshops focused on developing personal and collective skills for sustainable action
Small Community groups facilitating deep connections and idea exchange among like-minded changemakers
Reflective moments and transformative experiences in the breathtaking mountain setting of the Caux Palace

The 2025 Forum applies both the Inner Development Goals framework and Initiatives of Change methodologies in order to foster an atmosphere of trust, care, and respect. 

Getting Involved

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

being a speaker in a plenary session
participating in a human library
organising a workshop
leading a community group

We would love to hear from you.

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

Call for Workshop Organisers

We warmly invite you to create transformative 90-minute workshops during the Caux IDG Forum, where our objective is to embark on a deep, experiential journey guided by the Theory U framework.

We are seeking interactive, engaging, and experiential workshops for:

Day 3: Presencing – Connecting to Inner Wisdom & Purpose
Day 4: Co-Creating – Prototyping & Designing Solutions

each of which follows a distinct stage of the Theory U journey.

Application deadline for workshops: 15 May 2025

Find out more and apply here

What practical outcomes are envisioned?

The Caux IDG Forum 2025 will:

Bring people together around collective exploration and action powered by storytelling, dialogue, reflection and the arts.
First-hand experiences of a wide range of people active in the key selected issues.
Learn, innovate, prototype, practice and share application of tools.
Create opportunities to support further activities within the IDG Hubs, Initiatives of Change network and other like-minded organisations.
Ally with partner organisations to scale the development of IDG.

Who should attend the Caux IDG Forum?

With an anticipated 250 attendees and speakers drawn from the IDG and Initiatives of Change communities, First Nations, civil society, government, youth movements, academia and business, the event will provide a platform for collective exploration, innovation, and the co-creation of practical strategies to address today’s pressing global challenges.

Participating in the Caux IDG Forum is about unlocking your potential: it encourages individuals, groups and organisations to reflect on their roles, explore their resources, and connect with their responsibilities as changemakers, on the basis that everyone can make a difference. It is about putting in practice the Inner Development Goals Framework and Initiatives of Change methodologies.

If this resonates with you, register now!

The Programme

Opening Ceremony

More information on the opening ceremony, taking place at the Caux Palace, will be released in the coming weeks

Thematic Tracks & Workshops

Further information on the Workstreams and a call for Workshop Organisers will be published soon.

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

Exhibitions Caux Forum 2025 — From left to right: ©Willis from Tunis / ©Gado, 1 May, 2019 – World Press Day / ©Erwan Fortin, “Nuage 4”, 2012

Arts & Culture at the Caux Democracy Forum

Creativity is central to the Caux spirit. The Caux Democracy Forum will showcase a vibrant summer arts and culture programme that explores and amplifies the forum themes through two powerful exhibitions, a concert and musical performances, creating meaningful cultural experiences that extend beyond traditional forum discussions.

DIALOGUES ON HUMANITY
In collaboration with Photo Elysée - Lausann, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, this exhibition provides a thoughtful space for dialogue around humanitarian values and our shared future.

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

DEMOCRACY? WHAT DEMOCRACY?

A timely exhibition featuring forty thought-provoking political cartoons by Gado (Godfrey Mwampembwa) and Nadia Khiari (Willis from Tunis)—offering sharp, courageous commentary on the state of democracy today. Gado will be sharing his story during the parallel sessions.

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

Music

JEAN-MARC VIGNOLI (France), 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.

Discover the programme (overview)

A Unique Family Experience - Exciting Programmes for Children & Teenagers

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

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

1. CHILDREN

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

2. TEENAGERS (ages 14 - 18)

CAUX FORUM SUMMER PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG CHANGEMAKERS: Unlock Your Potential - Inner Growth for a Better World!

The Caux IDG Forum will offer a tailored programme for teenagers. This programme will feature a combination of participation in the main programme fostering intergenerational connection and dialogue and specific moments for teens, including a variety of enriching outdoor activities. "Unlock Your Potential - Inner Growth for a Better World!" is a dedicated programme to empower young changemakers (ages 14-18). It will not only help develop tools to make a real difference but also to deepen personal development, inner skills, and self-awareness to empower young people to take real action for change.

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

Discover our Young Changemakers programme for teenagers

Caux IDG Programme — Caux IDG Forum 2024 Arts and Culture

With:

NADENE CANNING (Canada/Switzerland), 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.

LEWIS CARDINAL (Canada), Communicator, Educator & Storyholder, 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.

SARAH NOBLE (Canada/Switzerland), Head of Global Engagement, Caux Initiatives of Change

Sarah Noble is a Canadian-born peace advocate and storyteller currently based in Geneva, Switzerland. Sarah is the Head of Global Engagement at the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation where she works on partnerships, inner development, the Caux Arts and Peace Encounters, and the Caux Forums. She is also co-founder and Curator of the PeaceTalks, a global storytelling platform dedicated to stories of peace at Interpeace. She has over 20 years of experience in strategic communications, fundraising, and partnerships in global organizations focused on peacebuilding, humanitarian issues, and non-profit public interest media. Passionate about storytelling as a tool for healing and social change, Sarah believes in its power to address global challenges. In her TEDx talk, Storytelling is Our Real-Life Superpower, she highlights how narratives can shape a better future. Sarah is the mom of 2 small kids and is motivated by a desire to be a good ancestor. Sarah has an MA in International Affairs from Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and a BA in Political Studies and Economics from Queen’s University.

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.

INES MOKDADI (Tunisia), 2025 Global Engagement Events Coordinator at Caux Initiatives of Change, University Professor of English, ISEAH & Creative Leadership Youth Initiative

Ines Mokdadi is the 2025 Global Engagement Events Coordinator at Caux Initiatives of Change. Alongside this role, she is a Professor of English at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences in Kairouan, Tunisia, where she specializes in Linguistics. Her research focuses on critical discourse analysis, power dynamics, and narrative transformation. When she’s not in the classroom, Ines works as a freelance translator and interpreter, and is a proud Caux Scholar alumna (2025). She also spent time as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) at the University of Notre Dame in the USA (2020-2021), further cultivating her passion for language and cultural exchange. Ines is deeply committed to civic engagement, inclusion, and global understanding. She volunteers as the Lead Content Strategist for the Creative Leadership team, focusing on youth-driven initiatives. More recently, she expanded her work with IofC UK, where she trains participants in the Refugees for Re-Builders (RRB) programme on Ethical Leadership for Just Governance. This role underscores her dedication to supporting refugees and promoting ethical, community-driven solutions for a more just world.

IGNACIO PACKER, Executive Director, Caux Initiatives of Change

Ignacio Packer is Executive Director of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, a Swiss private charitable foundation with the mission to provide a safe and privileged space to inspire, equip and connect individuals, groups and organizations from around the globe to engage effectively and innovatively in the promotion of trust, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security. Ignacio has over 30 years of experience in humanitarian work and development issues. He is an expert on human rights and social issues and has been strongly engaged in global advocacy on protection frameworks for migrants and refugees with a particular focus on children and youth.

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.

ROWEIDA SALEH (Lebanon), Educator & IofC Trainer, IofC Lebanon

Roweida Saleh is a Lebanese educator with a wealth of experience in conflict resolution, peace education, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. She is dedicated to building communities rooted in peace and trust. With over 20 years of volunteer and peace education experience, she has fostered dialogue, collaboration, and positive change for a more just world. Roweida is passionate about empowering others to become active peacebuilders to build bridges and nurture a culture of trust.

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.

The Caux Palace Centre for Dialogue and Peacebuilding

PARTICIPATION RATES

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

Full Package with accommodation, including the Opening Ceremony.

All inclusive | Accommodation in single occupancy room: CHF 860.-/person
All inclusive | Accommodation in shared occupancy room: CHF 620.-/person
All inclusive | Accommodation in economy single occupancy room : CHF 540.-/person*
Children from 6-14 | Accommodation shared with parents: CHF 340.-/person
Children from 0-5 | Accommodation shared with parents: CHF.- 0/person
Extra night prior to the start of the event: Please contact us: IDG @caux.ch
Extend your stay until 2 August, 2025 and celebrate the Swiss national day with us. More details in the reservation form.

Event Package without accommodation

Full event package (accommodation and breakfast not included): CHF 360.-/person
Full event package (accommodation and breakfast not included) + Dinner 1 August 2025: CHF 405.-/person
Day pass package for 31 July - accommodation and breakfast not included: CHF 90.-

Prices mentioned, for single or shared accommodation, include :

Accommodation in either shared or single room at the Caux Palace
Participation in the Caux IDG Forum
Materials provided during the event
Interpretation services and technical equipment
Coffee and tea breaks as well as refreshments
Breakfast, lunch and dinner. In line with our sustainable food policy for this forum, all meals will be exclusively vegetarian or pescatarian.
VAT & City taxes

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

 *Economy rooms face behind the Caux Palace and have shared bathrooms, WC and no balcony.

Solidarity Fund

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

You can donate here

Caux Conference and Seminar Centre_Caux Palace_Inspire_Equip_Connect(2)_lowres(1).jpg

Useful Information

Arrival and Departure

Official check-in time is 14:00 CEST on Monday, 28 July. For participants arriving early, a dedicated luggage room will be available to store belongings before the official check-in time.

The forum will conclude after lunch on the final day. We kindly request all participants to check out by 10:00 CEST and leave the site by 14:00 CEST to allow our team to prepare spaces for subsequent events. A luggage room will remain accessible until after lunch to accommodate your travel arrangements.

For participants requiring accommodation the night before or after the standard dates, reservation extensions are possible for an additional charge. Specific details are available in the registration form. 

More Information 

REGISTER BEFORE 31 MAY 2025

Travel Connection People hands in the sky

The Strategic Partnership

The Inner Development Goals Foundation is a non-profit organisation for inner development. The organisation researches, collects and communicates science-based skills and qualities that help us to live purposeful, sustainable, and productive lives, providing an essential framework of transformative skills for sustainable development. The Inner Development Goals Framework, open source and free for all to use, is fundamental in the work to reach the Sustainable Development Goals.

The organisation has stimulated the development of over 500 hubs and networks comprising groups of people and/or organisations supporting the Inner Development Goals Initiative.

The Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation is a Swiss private charitable foundation with its centre for dialogue and peacebuilding, 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 Organization for Migration (IOM).