
Caux Democracy Forum 2025 - Opening Ceremony
programme
Tuesday, 08 July
Opening Ceremony
MODERATION & INTRODUCTION: Exploring the Caux Forum 2025 - Methods and Mindset
- Ignacio PACKER (UK/Spain/Switzerland), Executive Director Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
- Jean-Marc VIGNOLI (France), violinist
WELCOME WORDS
- Jacqueline COTÉ (Canada/Switzerland), President Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
REIMAGINING DEMOCRACY(IES) - Youth Perspectives
- Hajar BICHRI (Morocco), Creative Leadership, from our parallel youth democracy programme "Reimagining Democracy(ies), introducing a short film presenting their fresh perspectives and hope.
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
ADDRESS by Council of Europe Representative
- Ambassador Francesca Camilleri VETTIGER (Malta), Chair of the Committee of Ministers’ Deputies, Malta's Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
KEYNOTE ADDRESS
- Philippe LAZZARINI (Switzerland), UNRWA Commissioner-General
A TIME TO REFLECT
- Joseph DEISS (Switzerland), Swiss Economist and Politician, former President of the Swiss Confederation and former President of the United Nations General Assembly
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
EXPLORING PERSONAL CHANGE & WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CAUX FORUM 2025
- Ignacio PACKER, Executive Director Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
MUSICAL INTERLUDE
Refreshments
Parallel Sessions: Integrity - Trust - Courage
Participants choose one of the three sessions at the front desk when arriving at the Caux Palace (colour cards)
SESSION 1: REVITALIZING DEMOCRACY - INTEGRITY
Help us explore together the role of integrity as a democratic value. Bring your experience to the table and share your stories as we un pack the complex and timely question regarding the importance of integrity in revitalising democracy.
WHERE: Caux Palace Theatre (4th floor)
WITH:
- Marilyn BUFFALO (Canada), Indigenous Affairs Consultant & Motivational Speaker
- Ambassador Christian GUILLERMET-FERNÁNDEZ (Costa Rica), Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations in Geneva
- Corinne MOMAL-VANIAN (France), Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation
CO-MODERATION:
- Sarah NOBLE (Canada/Switzerland), Head of Global Engagement, Caux Initiatives of Change
- Jonas TRUNEH (UK), Creative Leadership & Project Development Officer at Triangle
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SESSION 2: REVITALIZING DEMOCRACY - TRUST
We would love to hear from you! Join the conversation and explore with us the pathways towards (re)building trust to strengthen and revitalise democracy.
WHERE: Main Hall (4th floor)
WITH:
- Ambassador Nathalie CHUARD (Switzerland), Director of DCAF - Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance
- Roohullah SHINWARI (Afghanistan), Head of External Relations at AFA
- Anas ANSAR (Bangladesh), Senior Researcher at the Arnold-Bergstraesser-Institut, University of Freiburg, Germany
- Jordan DAVIS (USA), RTS Correspondent in the USA and host of “Democracy! Démocratie!”
CO-MODERATION:
- Ignacio PACKER, Executive Director Caux Initiatives of Change
- Sidra RASLAN (Syria), Creative Leadership & Amplify Impact Partner Sustainability Program Support and Community Lead at HP
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SESSION 3: REVITALIZING DEMOCRACY - COURAGE
Share your insights and experiences as we explore what it means to live thoughtfully, responsibly and courageously in a fast-changing world.
WHERE: The Galleries (4th floor wing next to entrance hall)
WITH:
- Godfrey MWAMPEMBWA aka GADO (Kenya), Graphic journalist, Cartoonist, Animator & TV Producer
-
Konstantine GAGNIDZE (Georgia), Founder & President of JEF Georgia
-
Hamza GHANDOUR (Lebanon), Life Coach and Peacebuilder, youth from Lebanon
CO-MODERATION:
- John BOND (Australia/UK), Journalist & Author, Initiatives of Change
- Manuela GARAY (Canada), Creative Leadership
Cultural & Networking Activities & Reception
ART EXHIBITIONS - VERNISSAGE
Where: The Galleries (4th floor wing next to entrance hall) & Caux Palace Esplanade (gardens)
"Dialogues on Humanity"
An exhibition produced thanks to a partnership between Photo Elysée - Lausanne, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
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"Democracy? What democracy?!"
An exhibition with press cartoons by Godfrey MWAMPEMBWA aka GADO (Kenya) and Nadia KHIARI, alias Willis from Tunis (Tunisia).
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"Nuclear Cries Through Innocent Eyes"
A powerful art exhibit that brings to life the emotional and generational impact of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands—seen and expressed through the eyes of young Pacific Islanders. A a collaboration between the Permanent Mission of the Republic of the Marshall Islands to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, and the Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI).
More about our exhibition and their artists
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RECEPTION including the Inauguration of the CAUX PEACE PARK
Where: Main Hall (4th floor)
WITH:
- Jacqueline COTÉ (Canada/Switzerland), President Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation
- Olivier GFELLER (Switzerland), Mayor of Montreux
- Andreas LARENTZAKIS (Australia), Executive Director IIPT - International Institute for Peace through Tourism
More information about the Caux Peace Park as part of the Global Peace Parks Initiative
Buffet Dinner
Concert: Licia Chery & Raoul Baumann
With:
- Licia CHERY (Switzerland/Haïti), Author, Singer, Composer, Publisher & Presenter
- Raoul BAUMANN (Switzerland), Composer, Arranger & Producer
Organised with the support of the Montreux Jazz Artists Foundation. More about the artists.
Songs for Peace, Unity & Reconciliation Songs (Taizé Songs)
With:
Tsvetana PETRUSHINA, Singer, Composer, Vocal Coach