On 4 April 2025, the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation hosted a remarkable event at the Palais des Nations in Geneva: the International Day of Conscience 2025. Co-organised by Sofia Stril-Rever (BeTheLove), Pascale Fressoz (AI-ODD), and the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, the event brought together over 250 participants and more than 45 speakers, including representatives of the UN, UNESCO, Permanent Missions, governments, Geneva, civil society, spiritual leaders, and visionary youth. Together, they shared powerful messages of conscience, love, and peace—at a time when the world is urgently searching for meaning and hope.

Ignacio Packer, Executive Director of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, delivered the following inspiring opening address:

The Importance of Conscience and a Strong Moral Compass in Today's World

The new US administration has accelerated the use of an assertive hard power strategy to foreign policy. This shift in American policy has raised significant concerns across Europe, prompting nations to prioritize rearmament and respond to escalating trade tensions.

On 4 March, the European Commission introduced the ReArm Europe Plan, a €800 billion initiative to bolster EU defense expenditures over four years.

Shortly after, on 14 March, Germany's conservative Chancellor-in-waiting, Friedrich Merz, secured backing to amend the nation’s constitutional debt limits, enabling a historic €1 trillion investment in defense and infrastructure.

Despite these developments, European leaders and the public appear unprepared for the new geopolitical landscape. How much of the policy discourse is driven by emotional reactions rather than long-term strategic planning? Are we not being led by decisions that lack a coherent vision for a peaceful future?

We are witnessing a shift not only toward military rearmament but also economic warfare, where sanctions, resource control, and strategic alliances serve as instruments of power. This competition for dominance risks deepening global divisions and conflicts.

...an urgent need for a moral and ethical compass.

Yet, what is often overlooked in discussions of military and economic strength is the urgent need for a moral and ethical compass. How are we equipping ourselves with the values and skills essential for lasting peace? While nations focus on strengthening their armed forces and economic leverage, true stability depends on the principles that guide their leaders and citizens.

The organisation I have the privilege of working for, Caux Initiatives of Change, is committed to the belief that personal transformation is key to global change. Ethical leadership, trust, reconciliation, and peacebuilding must be rooted in a conscious commitment to truth and justice—principles that shape both domestic policies and international relations.

A sustainable future requires individuals to cultivate responsibility, honesty, and compassion—qualities that foster trust within communities and between nations. Without a firm dedication to these principles, military power and economic strength alone cannot guarantee peace; rather, they risk fueling further division and conflict.

History has shown that societies thrive not only through strategic defense but through the moral character of their people. Leaders who act with integrity inspire confidence, and nations that prioritize ethical conduct earn global respect. Alongside military preparedness and economic warfare, there must be an equally determined effort to revive core values such as mutual respect, dialogue, and a genuine pursuit of the common good.

True security is not merely about defending borders. It is about upholding the moral and ethical principles that sustain unity, justice, and peace through conscious and deliberate action.

Ethical leadership, trust, reconciliation, and peacebuilding must be rooted in a conscious commitment to truth and justice.

Marking the International Day of Conscience

As we mark the International Day of Conscience, let this be a moment of reflection - a call to examine the values that shape our decisions and the kind of future we are building. This day reminds us that true peace and security begin within, rooted in integrity, responsibility, and a shared commitment to the common good.

And let this be just the beginning. Caux Initiatives of Change is part of a global people’s movement dedicated to trust building, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. We believe that personal transformation and a strong moral and spiritual compass is essential in navigating today’s challenges.

I invite you to take part in this journey by joining one of our upcoming events at the beautiful and inspiring Caux Palace near Montreux. This May, our Caux Arts and Peace Encounters will explore how we can foster peace through the power of arts and dialogue, while this summer, the Caux Forums for Democracy and Inner Development offer a space for changemakers to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action to address our world’s pressing challenges.

Change begins with the courage to listen to our conscience—let’s take that step together.

Personal transformation and a strong moral and spiritual compass is essential in navigating today’s challenges. (...) Let this be just the beginning!

What is the International Day of Conscience?         

The International Day of Conscience (IDC25) on 5 April has been established in 2019 by the General Assembly of the United Nations to invite all human beings to focus their minds every year on how to build « a culture of peace with love and conscience ». With this resolution (A/RES/73/329), the General Assembly emphasized the urgent necessity of a mindset shift to address the global challenges facing the human family, including issues such as poverty and hunger which kills a child’s life every eleven seconds. This radical shift of mindset is highlighted by the reference to love enshrined for the first time in a UN resolution.     

Furthermore, despite ongoing international tensions, in September 2024 all UN Member States signed up a Pact for the Future, to set themselves "on a path towards a brighter future for all of humanity". They pledged "a new beginning in multilateralism" based on the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

They reaffirmed their "enduring commitment to the 2030 Agenda" adopted in 2015, whose 17 SDGs have been jeopardized by the implementation gap that followed. Governments unanimously renewed their commitment to Leave No One Behind and established this guiding principle for all components of civil society. Indeed, no government acting on its own can achieve the 2030 Agenda. Its success depends on each and everyone of us.  

The International Day of Conscience (IDC) 2025 offered the opportunity to reflect and plan to act on what we can do to Leave No One Behind.

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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.

Photos: Antonin Lechat, U. Ott Chanu

On 4 April, 2025, in honour of the International Day of Conscience, a unique and moving conversation unfolded at the Palais des Nations in Geneva between three voices from different parts of the world, united by a shared belief: lasting change in the world begins with transformation within.

Ignacio Packer (Executive Director, Caux Initiatives of Change), Saïd Touhami (LoveForce Ambassador and peace educator, Morocco/Netherlands), and Maruee Pahuja (Creative Leadership initiative of young leaders and LoveForce Ambassador, India) came together not to deliver speeches, but to hold space—for reflection, vulnerability, and deep listening.

This wasn’t your typical panel. Instead of statements and solutions, the conversation offered a quiet, reflective space—an intentional pause from the busy programme—where the audience was invited to slow down and tune into the inner dimensions of change-making.

A Conversation Rooted in Conscience

Ignacio Packer opened the space with a simple yet powerful question: "We often speak of changing the world, but how often do we reflect on the inner transformations needed to truly create that change?"

He spoke honestly about his personal struggles with staying present, and how long-distance running became his form of meditation in motion—a practice that taught him awareness, resilience, and clarity. “Leadership,” he said, “is a bit like running: it’s about putting one foot in front of the other, even when it’s hard, and staying connected to why we began.”

For Ignacio, being present, building inner clarity, and fostering emotional resilience are non-negotiable qualities for leaders seeking sustainable impact.

The Ocean in a Drop

Maruee Pahuja (India) brought in the perspective of the arts, creativity, and the collective journey of self-discovery. Quoting Rumi—“You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the ocean in a drop”—she reflected on her personal journey of picking up pastel colours one day in 2014, which unexpectedly opened the door to a deeper, playful, and healing connection with herself.

Since then, her path has led her to facilitate over 400 arts-based workshops globally, including initiatives in well-being, leadership, and peacebuilding. Maruee’s vision is clear: “There are as many ways to love as there are hearts. Inner development is personal—but when shared, it becomes a powerful collective force.” She invited the audience to imagine a world where expressive arts are not an extracurricular luxury but a gateway to empathy, healing, and conscious action.

Dialogue, Education, and Peace

Drawing from his background in international public policy and peace education, Saïd Touhami (Netherlands) brought in the essential role of dialogue and education. He asked: “What if schools didn’t just teach knowledge, but also inner development—empathy, deep listening, and emotional resilience?”

Having helped create the “School of Peace” in the Netherlands, inspired by Shaykh Khaled Bentounes' vision of a Culture of Peace, Saïd emphasized that true education must nourish the heart as much as the mind.

From Fear to Love: Leading with Conscience

One of the most resonant moments came when Ignacio posed a powerful question: “Am I leading from fear, or from love?”

This question, he explained, continues to shape his choices as a leader. Fear often drives us to control, to rush, to judge. But when we shift to leading from love—through compassion, curiosity, and presence—we build trust, connection, and transformation.

The dialogue didn’t offer quick fixes. Instead, it asked questions—soulful, sincere ones—inviting the audience to reflect.

To conclude, Maruee closed with a poetic reflection: “Great ideas, it is said, come into the world as gently as doves. Perhaps if we listen carefully, amid the uproar of nations, we might hear the flutter of wings—the gentle stirring of life and hope.”

A Seed Planted on the International Day of Conscience

Held as part of the Caux Initiatives of Change’s ongoing commitment to ethical leadership and inner transformation, this conversation was intended to plant seeds—of reflection, of community, and of quiet courage: Begin within. Be still. Then act.

Missed the event? Watch the replay on our YouTube channel

Maruee Pahuja is part of the Creative Leadership team of young leaders organising Reimagining Democracy(ies), a training course for young changemakers from 5 - 12 July 2025 at the Caux Democracy Forum. If you are aged 18 - 35, passionate about reshaping democracy and exploring its values, find out more and apply now! 

Maruee is also a member of the advisory committee of the Caux Arts and Peace Encounters event at the Caux Palace (12 – 14 May 2025) where she will be delivering a workshop on "Exploring Boundaries and Peace through Expressive Arts". You can be part of this conversation, deep-diving into the connection between the arts and peace! Discover the event and register here!

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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.

MARUEE PAHUJA is an Expressive Arts Consultant, Process Facilitator, Visual Artist, and Eye-Care Practitioner dedicated to bridging science and the arts to foster healing, leadership, and peace. A core team member of Creative Leadership and consultant with the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation, she designs and facilitates arts-based interventions for personal and collective transformation. With over 300 workshops held globally and collaborations with 25+ nonprofits, Maruee brings creativity and compassion to peacebuilding, wellbeing, and leadership. She has spoken at platforms like Geneva Peace Week and the Caux Democracy Forum. A prolific artist with over 5,000 multimedia works, she continues to explore the power of artistic expression to inspire change and resilience across cultures.

With a background in International Public Policy, SAID TOUHAMI is a dialogue-moderator, peace-educator, and chairman of the House of Peace based in the Netherlands where he also contributed to the creation of the public Elementary School of Peace, inspired by Shaykh Khaled Bentounes’ initiative for the Education for a Culture of Peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For #IDC2025, we were proud to collaborate with BeTheLove, the Alliance Internationale des Objectifs du Développement Durable (AIODD), and many others, including the support of the City of Geneva and the Permanent Missions of Bahrain, France, Morocco & the Marshall Islands in Geneva.

 

Photos: Ines Mokdadi, Antonin Lechat, U. Ott Chanu