Caux Democracy Forum 2025 - Opening Ceremony

programme

Tuesday, 08 July

14:30 - 15:45
Theatre
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

 

15:45 - 16:15
Dining Room (2nd floor)
Refreshments

16:15 - 17:45
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

 

17:45 - 20:00
The Galleries (4th floor) & Dining Room (2nd floor)
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

19:00 - 20:30
Dining Room
Buffet Dinner

20:30 - 22:00
Theatre
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.

 

22:00 - 22:30
Chapel
Songs for Peace, Unity & Reconciliation Songs (Taizé Songs)

With:

Tsvetana PETRUSHINA, Singer, Composer, Vocal Coach