Geneva Peace Forum 2026
The Geneva Peace Forum (GPF) is a leading annual Peace Forum in the international peacebuilding calendar through which organizations in Geneva and their international partners come together to share knowledge and practice on a diverse range of topics related to peace across contexts and disciplines. Evolving from Geneva Peace Week, the Geneva Peace Forum (GPF) is the flagship initiative of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and we are delighted to be partnering with them on 13 October 2026 for an Open Mic Session giving a platform for "Voices for Peace" with moderator Ignacio Packer (Caux Foundation) and a range of inspiring speakers.
- When: 13 October 2026, 14:30-15:30 CEST
- Where: CICG, Rue de Varembé 17, 1211 Geneva - Rez-de-chaussée
About the Event
The Open Mic Session opens the Geneva Peace Forum stage to its own participants. Selected through an open call launched in September, a small group of speakers will each share a personal story, lived experience or reflection connected to peace, dialogue, resilience, identity or coexistence. Discussions on peacebuilding often take place in the language of institutions, frameworks and policy.
This session takes a different starting point, asking what peace looks and feels like from the inside, in a neighborhood, in a family, on a displacement route, in a negotiation that failed or a friendship that held across a dividing line. The accounts may be difficult, inspiring or unexpected; none is intended to be representative.
The speakers' contributions are followed by a facilitated exchange, where participants are invited to reflect on what resonated with them and what challenged their own understanding of peace. A closing round with the speakers brings the individual accounts into a collective reflection.
The session is co-organised by the Caux Foundation and the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, and is facilitated by Ignacio Packer, Executive Director of the Caux Foundation. Details about the speakers will be announced closer to the Forum.
Moderator
IGNACIO PACKER, Executive Director, Caux Foundation
Ignacio Packer is Executive Director of the Caux Foundation, a Swiss charitable foundation committed to promoting trust, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security. With over 30 years of experience in humanitarian and development work, he worked at the European Bank for Latin America and then at KPMG, before becoming a recognised leader of NGOs and international alliances for over 25 years. An expert in human rights and social issues, he has been particularly involved in defending protection frameworks for migrants and refugees, especially children and young people.
