Polisync partner
Logo
Partner URL
New this summer: The Café des Galeries opens its doors at the Caux Palace!
Discover our community café in Caux!
24/06/2025Featured Story
Off
Discover our community café in Caux!
Warm Welcome - Hot and Cold Drinks - Local Snacks - Stunning Views - Exhibitions - Gardens - A Moment to Relax
This summer, Caux Initiatives of Change is delighted to announce the opening of the Café des Galeries, a welcoming and community-minded venue nestled in the former post office of the prestigious Caux Palace.
At an altitude of 1,000 metresin the hills above Montreux, this unique café offers much more than just a refreshing break: breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps, an exceptional historical setting and a friendly, inclusive and inspiring atmosphere.
Whether you are visiting, participating in our forums or just passing by, come and enjoy a coffee, tea or cold drink along with local delicacies to take away – all carefully prepared with a focus on sustainability and local sourcing.
And the icing on the cake? Explore the magnificent gardens of the Caux Palace and visit our exhibitions!
- LOCATION: The former Caux Palace post office, Rue du Panorama 2, 1824 Caux/Montreux (100 metres from Caux railway station)
- OPENING HOURS: 8 July to 14 September 2025 (Thursday to Sunday, 2pm to 6pm, weather permitting)
A place of meaningfulness and solidarity
But this place also has a deeper meaning: the Café des Galeries is a solidarity project run in collaboration with EVAM (Etablissement vaudois d'accueil des migrants) and the ÉVEIL association. The service is provided by people undergoing social integration, supervised and supported by the Caux Palace team as part of an educational and professional support programme.
A visit to the Café des Galeries is an opportunity to:
- take part in a human and hopeful project
- encourage social integration through a rewarding activity
- support our actions and the preservation of the Caux Palace, a historic architectural gem built in 1902
- make a gesture of solidarity with a suspended coffee: offer a coffee to a stranger
- discover our exhibitions, our gardens, and the many initiatives of the Foundation
Take a break, enjoy the beauty of the place and show your solidarity!
Start your discovery of the Caux Palace with a guided tour
The Café des Galeries is also the perfect starting point for a guided tour of the Caux Palace on the 2nd of August 2025 (11:00 a.m.).
Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of this century-old building, an architectural masterpiece built in 1902, and discover its behind-the-scenes areas, historic salons and art exhibitions, both inside and in the gardens.
For more information and to book your guided tour
THIS SUMMER: VISIT OUR INSPIRING EXHIBITIONS
- Location: Les Galeries, Caux Palace – Rue du Panorama 2 – 1824 Caux
- Dates: 8 July to 14 September 2025
- Opening hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (2pm to 6pm)
‘Democracy? What democracy?!’
At a time when the core values of democracy are being radically challenged, the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation is presenting an exhibition of around forty cartoons on this theme, by the cartoonists Gado (Godfrey MWAMPEMBWA) and Nadia KHIARI, also Willis from Tunis.
Through the sharp, ironic and sometimes cynical eyes of these two artists from the African continent, the exhibition shows snapshots of European and world political events in recent years.
The drawings reveal how democracy has become a concept emptied of its original meaning, and misappropriated, flouted, reinterpreted or exploited. Like freedom, democracy is fast becoming a hackneyed term, whose deeper meaning is lost in the twists and turns of an increasingly elusive global political chessboard.
Organised in collaboration with Freedom Cartoonists - Dessins pour la liberté
_______________________________________________________________________________________
‘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.
- Location: Outdoor esplanade in the gardens of the Caux Palace – Rue du Panorama 2 – 1824 Caux
- Dates: 8 July to 14 September 2025
- Opening hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (2pm to 6pm)
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
How can photography help us understand humanitarian principles? Humanitarian crises around the world make the headlines every day. The images associated with these tragedies are often linked to tears, suffering, hunger, despair, loneliness, separation and desolation. We sometimes feel powerless and overwhelmed by the images of crises, violence, armed conflicts and natural disasters.
This contemporary art exhibition is a reaction to these feelings. The three partners mentioned above have developed a concept that allows us to take a step back from the images that surround us and to pause, reflect and feel. The idea is to provide a space for discussion about humanitarian principles, and to share opinions on the evolution of the world in which we live.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
‘Nuclear Cries Through Innocent Eyes’
- Location: Les Galeries, Caux Palace – Rue du Panorama 2 – 1824 Caux
- Dates: 8 July to 1 August 2025
- Opening hours: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (2pm to 6pm)
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
‘Nuclear Cries Through Innocent Eyes‘ is 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.
This exhibit is 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), a not-for-profit based in Springdale, Arkansas—the heart of the largest Marshallese community outside the islands.
As part of its nuclear justice advocacy, MEI empowers youth to explore the legacy of nuclear testing through creative expression. The artworks featured here were produced during MEI-led Nuclear Climate Art Workshops, where children learned about their history, discussed its relevance today, and translated their feelings into collaborative visual art. These striking pieces reflect the pain, resilience, and hopes of a generation still living with the consequences of nuclear injustice.
This exhibit honors their voices and ensures that their stories continue to be seen and heard on the international stage—at the UN and beyond.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
How to find us
- By train: get off at the ‘Caux’ stop on the Montreux-Rochers de Naye line
- By car: from Montreux, drive up to Glion/Caux (parking available nearby)
- Reduced mobility: wheelchair access and PRM toilets
_______________________________________________________________________________________
About the Caux Palace and Caux Initiatives of Change
The Caux Palace is a former luxury hotel offering breathtaking views of Lake Geneva and the Alps. Nestled in the mountains, 1,000 metres above Montreux, it was conceived by the visionary developer Ami Chessex and the renowned architect Eugène Jost, who also designed the Montreux Palace. When it opened in 1902, the Caux Palace was one of the largest and most prestigious palaces in Switzerland.
An iconic landmark in the region, the Caux Palace is built on an impressive historic retaining wall with distinctive arches and a 400-metre-long promenade.
In 1946, the building was purchased by 100 Swiss families who wanted to transform it into a meeting place for peace and reconciliation in post-war Europe. This vision laid the foundations for the Caux Palace's enduring role as a centre for dialogue and confidence-building.
Today, the Caux Palace belongs to the private Swiss foundation Caux Initiatives of Change. Its mission is to provide a safe and privileged space to inspire, equip and connect individuals, groups and organisations from around the world to engage effectively and innovatively in promoting trust, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security.
The site is also part of the Peace Parks initiative, in partnership with the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) and the Caux Peace Park will be inaugurated on 8 July 2025. This global initiative recognises significant places as spaces for reflection, dialogue and responsible environmental management.
Find out more about our events and programmes
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Help us keep this wonderful solidarity project alive
Would you like to support our community café project? You can make a donation via TWINT by scanning the QR code or by credit card.
Topics
Event Categories
Job Offer
Off
related stories
Caux Palace awarded with Swiss Location Award 2024!
We made it! We are thrilled to announce that our Foundation has received an exceptional score of 9.2 points and the “Outstanding” quality label from the Swiss Location Award 2024!...
Spring cleaning at the Caux Palace
Our hospitality team is using the calmer winter months to transform the Caux Conference and Seminar Centre. Cleaning out storage rooms and offices feels like a treasure hunt in the vast, 29,500 square...
related events
IofC International submits joint statement on Gaza to UN Human Rights Council
59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
16/06/2025Featured Story
Off
59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
As the crisis in Gaza continues to claim lives and devastate communities, the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation supports a joint statement, submitted by Initiatives of Change International and The Next Century Foundation to the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC), taking place from 16 June to 11 July 2025 in Geneva.
The statement has been submitted under Agenda Item 7, which is dedicated to addressing the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories.
In this urgent appeal, Initiatives of Change International and The Next Century Foundation call for a renewed, inclusive and principled approach to peacebuilding, one rooted in human dignity and accountability. The statement outlines 14 essential considerations for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with emphasis on achieving a sustained ceasefire, protecting human rights and ensuring equal security and opportunity for all people in the region.
This submission reaffirms Initiatives of Change’s commitment to long-term trustbuilding and nonviolent transformation of conflict.
We believe peace is possible and that civil society, in concert with governments and institutions, must play a vital role in shaping it.
The statement is available for download in English, French and Arabic.
Topics
Event Categories
Job Offer
Off
Olivia Chollet
Olivia Chollet holds a BA in International Relations from the University of Geneva, a MA in Pacific Asian Studies from the University of London (SOAS) and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy from the Australian National University. Passionate about education and making knowledge accessible to all, she has published research on a range of topics with a strong interest for socio-environmental issues. She also has teaching experience across diverse audiences.
Caux Initiatives of Change joins the global Peace Parks Initiative
Caux Democracy Forum 2025
02/06/2025Featured Story
Off
Caux Democracy Forum 2025
The Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation is pleased to announce its participation in the Peace Parks Initiative , a global network coordinated by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT). This initiative aims to foster peace and environmental stewardship by recognizing meaningful places around the world as spaces for reflection, dialogue, and connection.
As a recognized Peace Park, the Caux Palace will become part of a network that includes over 450 locations worldwide, such as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Victoria Falls, and Pietermaritzburg.
These spaces serve as symbolic and practical sites for cultivating peace, celebrating cultural and historical heritage, and encouraging responsible tourism and sustainability.
What this means for the Caux Palace
By joining the Peace Parks network, the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation affirms its long-standing commitment to:
- Promoting peace and global understanding
- Encouraging environmental awareness and sustainable development
- Creating space for inclusive dialogue and trustbuilding across communities and cultures
The participation at the Peace Park Initiative will be marked by the installation of a co-branded plaque, featuring a peace-themed quote, to be unveiled at the Caux Democracy Forum in July 2025.
The Caux Peace Park will be inaugurated at the Caux Democracy Forum Opening Ceremony on 8 July 2025 in the presence of Olivier Gfeller, mayor or Montreux, Andreas Larentzakis, from the International Institute for Peace through Tourism, and Jacqueline Coté, president of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation)
A partnership for a more inclusive and peaceful world
The evolving partnership with IIPT aligns with Caux Initiatives of Change’s core mission: to bring people together across cultures and sectors, foster trust, and inspire action for a more inclusive and peaceful world. We are excited to explore the potential of the Peace Parks initiative as a meaningful way to reflect and reinforce our identity as a space for peacebuilding, reflection, connection, dialogue, and unity.
____________________________________________________________________________
The inauguration of the Caux Peace Park will take place at the Caux Democracy Forum 2025.
Interested to know more? Discover the full programme and join us for the Opening Ceremony on 8 July (14:30)!
Topics
Event Categories
Job Offer
Off
related stories
Something to sing about
How can singing make a difference in people's lives? Pioneering Egyptian musician Dalia Younis was a guest speaker at the Creative Leadership conference in 2022 where she talked about how she uses sin...
'Thank you for bringing Caux to us'
'I have never been to Caux, because of visa issues. So when I received an email asking about the impact of the conference, I wrote as part of my reply, ‘Thank you for bringing Caux to us’. - Betty Nab...
Maria’s battle to end suicide in Manizales
Two years ago, Maria del Pilar went out dancing with one of her friends, Laura, who was ‘the funniest person’ she knew. Two weeks later, Laura committed suicide. Maria couldn’t understand how such a y...
TIP 2018: "Where are we going to go from here?”
Today at Towards an Inclusive Peace, we discussed the power of restorative justice. On July 12, Dr. Carl Stauffer, Associate Professor at Eastern Mennonite University, and Thalia González, Associate P...
Building Trust in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunity
‘Trust needs to exist for society to function at all,’ said Christine Beerli, Council Member of Initiatives of Change Switzerland and panel moderator, as she kicked off the Caux Forum 2018. Emerging t...
Opening of Living Peace: Celebrating 25 Years of Creators of Peace
The Living Peace Conference opened on 6 August 2016, bringing together women, and some men, from 43 different countries at the Caux Palace to celebrate all that Creators of Peace has achieved over the...
Closing of the 2016 edition of the International Peacebuilders Forum
Mpanzu Bamenga closed this year’s International Peacebuilders’ Forum (IPF) by sharing his story of migration from Zaïre to the Netherlands. He spoke of difficulties he encountered as a migrant, and h...
AEUB 2015: Opening of "Addressing Europe's Unfinished Business" on 16 July 2015
Addressing Europe’s Unfinished Business started on 16 July 2015. The day included discussions of what is meant when we say “Europe” and reflection on the many small but important steps that were made ...
TIGE 2015: Conscience needed in banking and business, says author of new book
Journalist and author Michael Smith urged the need for ‘conscience-based decision-making’ in banking, business and the economy when he launched his new book Great Company in Caux, Switzerland, on 28 J...