Message from the Secretary General of CAUX-IofC on the Caux Forum 2017

‘The only way to solve hate and violence is with compassion and empathy,’ said Christian Picciolini, former white supremacist turned peace activist, during Just Governance for Human Security 2017. In the light of yet another shocking outburst of violence in Charlottesville/USA last week, Picciolini’s message is fundamental to the work of healing race relations and promoting peace and reconciliation. This is what Initiatives of Change aims to achieve through the Caux Forum.

This summer has shown that the Caux Forum is becoming a, if not the, place to discuss peace in its broadest sense. It offered a holistic approach to addressing extremism of all kinds: from tackling extremes in business, preventing violent extremism, advancing the pillars of human security and dealing with polarization in Europe to empowering children to create a more inclusive society and promoting investment in land restoration.

At the Official Opening, Kate Gilmore, the UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights, said, ’We are the first generation who can decide to be the last one.’ Let us take this very seriously and start to act at all levels to make sure that there is a next generation and that they have an environment which allows them to live in dignity.

The passion and drive of young people was a distinctive feature of 2017, with young ambassadors from across Europe, Caux Scholars and Caux Peace and Leadership Programme participants adding yet another dimension to the training and empowerment that took place throughout the summer.

Many inspiring people with stories of change and initiatives all over the world interacted over the summer. A young Afghan champion of women’s empowerment inspired her fellow Caux Scholars; the Tulsa delegation continued the process of dealing with their past and addressing race relations; Jin In of 4Girls Glocal Leadership inspired young Syrians to initiate change for women in Damascus. All these powerful moments are an inspiration to contribute to a peaceful, just and sustainable world.

That is why we strongly believe that the Caux Forum must continue to grow and to position itself as the reference point for seeking solutions to issues of peace and reconciliation, ethics in leadership, just governance and the environment, be it at the personal or institutional level. We are already working towards the Caux Forum 2018 and we are excited about some of the participants and speakers who have committed to being there. I look forward to welcoming you in Caux next year.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have contributed to the organization of the Caux Forum 2017. Without you we would not have been able to organize and host such an inspiring Forum.

Barbara Hintermann

Secretary-General, CAUX-IofC Foundation