Solidarity for the Future - Giving Youth a Voice

 Ready to turn hope into action?

Solidarity for the Future (18–24 July 2026) is a new youth-led initiative within the IofC Global Fellowship Gathering where young people come together to connect, share their stories, and shape strategies for personal and global change. More than a event, it’s a co-created experience - a community to strengthen your voice, grow your leadership, and build solidarity for the future.

About the event

Many of us want to make a difference to the world, yet feel isolated and powerless. But as the Turkish proverb goes: ‘What can one hand do? Two hands can make a sound!’

This year we are excited to introduce "Solidarity for the Future" (18 - 24 July 2026), a youth-led initiative to support each other throughout the coming decades in becoming the change we want to see in the world and challenging the status quo.

During this transformative seven-day, youth-led experience, as part of the IofC Global Fellowship Gathering sessions and our own activities, we will think globally how to better act locally and design strategies for personal and global change.

This gathering isn’t a space you simply attend—it’s one you help co-create. Together, we will design the experience collectively: listening to each other’s stories, brainstorming bold responses to global issues, sharing personal journeys, and turning inspiration into action.

Come be part of a community that amplifies your voice, fuels your leadership, and empowers you to make the change you want to see.

Download the flyer

 Cost

Arrival on Saturday, 18 July (from 13:30 CEST) → Departure Friday, 24 July (after lunch/13:30 CEST)

• All-inclusive event | Accommodation in shared occupancy room: CHF 930.-
• All-inclusive event | Accommodation in single occupancy room: CHF 1290.-
• Children from 6 to 14 | Accommodation shared with parents: CHF 535.-
• Children from 0 to 5 | Accommodation shared with parents: CHF 0.-
• Full event package | No accommodation: CHF 540.-

Useful Information

• Download the flyer
• Visa Applications for Caux Forum events 2026 - General Info & Information Zoom Sessions: Find out more 
• General Terms & Conditions
• Practical Information for your stay in Caux
• Questions? Send us an EMAIL

APPLICATIONS

Are you between 18 and 35 years old? Do you feel like you could contribute? We look forward to welcoming you this summer!

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THE ORGANISERS

Ali Brestrich (Turkiye)

Ali Brestrich is a Turkish-qualified lawyer with a master’s degree in International Dispute Resolution. He works full-time at Müftüoğlu Law Office, where his main areas of expertise are energy and construction law. During his studies he participated in two Initiatives of Change programmes; the Young Ambassadors and the Caux Peace and Leadership Programme.

Aili Winstanley Channer (United Kingdom, France)
Aili is a writer and researcher focusing on the environment, society, religion, and culture. She is passionate about learning from history and philosophy in order to work towards building societies that support both social and ecological flourishing. She currently writes for the weekly magazine The Tablet and previously worked as a researcher for Al Jazeera’s earthrise series.

Leela Channer (United Kingdom, France)

Leela is a PhD student at the University of Exeter, researching how different animal species evolve and maintain cooperative relationships. She also works as a photographer, covering fieldwork, conferences, and workshops for organisations across Europe and Africa. Leela has contributed to Initiatives of Change’s work since 2016, particularly with the Caux Dialogue on Environment and Security. 

Lisa Lou Cornet (Belgium)

Lisa Lou is a scholar and human rights practitioner. She studied in Germany, Argentina and India, then worked in international cooperation and human rights advocacy in Colombia and Tunisia. She pushes for European external actions based on law, cooperation and responsibility.

Lilan Dayananda (Sri Lanka)

Lilan is a social-tech entrepreneur. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Elzian Agro and has been named one of the top ten Social Entrepreneurs of the Global-South by four United Nations organisations. Forbes Magazine chose him for their ‘30 Under 30 Asia’ list in the social impact category.

Hani Abou Fadel (Lebanon)
Hani is a community builder, social scientist, poet and occasional hiphop artist. He has been working with youth engagement for many years – especially with Caux Foundation’s youth-led initiative, Creative Leadership. He has also been involved in the MENA’s UNDP Arab youth engagement for social development and youth engagement.

Hamza Ghandour (France, Lebanon)
Hamza is an ICF ACC-accredited coach specializing in personal and professional development. As the author of Transitions and Une histoire, différentes perspectives, he creates space for critical thinking and reflection, using an approach marked by empathy, active listening, and sensitivity to intercultural and intergenerational dynamics.

Jonas Truneh (UK)

Jonas is an international development practitioner working across the Global South. He focuses on programme design, strategic planning, and applied research across governance, economic reform, and conflict dynamics. Jonas became involved with the Caux Foundation through the Just Governance for Human Security conference, later returning as a Caux Scholar and programme coordinator.

Solidarity for the Future is organised by Initiatives of Change International, 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). 

The IofC Global Fellowship Gathering 2026 is organised in partnership with the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation.