Newsletter September 2016

CAUX-INFO SEPTEMBER 2016

Looking back on the 2016 Caux Conferences Over 1500 people from 112 different countries attended the 2016 International Caux Conferences to address global issues related to trust building, ethical leadership, sustainable living and human security. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone - sponsored participants, Caux trainees, participants, visitors, donors, conference teams, Caux scholars, elders and more from around the world who made this amazing summer possible!

CAUX-IofC continues to mark 70 years of trust building with an upcoming Human Library event in Bern and the 2016/17 Winter Gathering and Christmas in Caux.

International Caux Conferences 2016 Conference Report coming soon!

Did you miss the Caux Conferences? You will soon receive the annual Caux Conference Report recapping all the inspiring stories of the summer!

In the meantime, you will find all the highlights of the summer on our website: www.caux.ch. For the first time this year, most of the plenaries were livestreamed allowing everyone to follow the conferences from home. You can view the livestream videos on our Facebook page!

Official Opening of the Caux Conferences The Caux Conferences were officially kicked off on 1 July 2016. In light of the CAUX-IofC Foundation’s 70 “It is through individual silent reyear anniversary, a special all-day event was organized flection, an honest look at our own on the theme: Crossing Borders, Crossing Cultures: motivations and dialogue with each How to Build Trust Around Migration? To tackle this other that we build bridges between theme, a range of speakers including representatives of the national and international policy level, refugees the past and the future.” and migrants were invited to share their perspectives - Barbara Hintermann and stories about trust and migration.

The tone was set right away by musician Noam Vazana, and relationships between people. Alternating in English, French and German, Wehrli linking love and migration in song thanked the Foundation for its comas attendees gathered in the splenmitment to build trust beyond bordid main hall of the Caux Palace. ders and across cultures.

Laurent Wehrli, mayor of Montreux, Antoine Jaulmes, President and Barofficially welcomed guests and parbara Hintermann, Secretary-Gene­ ticipants to the Montreux region ral of the Caux-IofC Foundation and to the Official Opening of the both highlighted the active work of 2016 Caux Conferences. Wehrli the CAUX-IofC Foundation since noted that while it took only 2 years to build the Caux 1946 in trustbuilding, reconciliation, sustainable living Palace Hotel, it takes more time to build partnerships and ethical leadership.

“We need to change the migration

narrative from negative to something that is historically more accurate: migration is a positive force in our lives” - Ambassador William Lacy Swing

Ambassador Urs von Arb, Director International Cooperation at the State Secretariat for Migration presented the challenges posed by migration in terms of trust from the Swiss perspective. Ambassador von Arb stressed that solutions to the challenges of migration can only be implemented in a spirit of solidarity.

Ambassador William Lacy Swing, Director General of the International Organization for Migration gave a keynote speech on the theme of human mobility in a world at odds with itself. Reminding the audience that 1 out of every 7 persons in the globe is in migratory status, Ambassador Swing stressed the need to change the migration narrative from a negative to a positive one and as societies become more and more multicultural to ‘learn to manage and embrace diversity’.

In an interactive panel led by Serge Michel, Journalist at Le Monde, Abo Hawi, Carlos Vasquez, Prof. Ladislaus Löb and Yvan Sturm exchanged stories of migration and integration. For Carlos Vasquez who came from Bolivia to live in Geneva at the age of 12 and who experienced a culture shock and violence in his new school, integration is about

breaking the walls (“casser les murs”) and not being afraid of going toward the other. Prof. Löb spoke of his time as a Jewish refugee in the Caux-Palace in 1944 and how he managed to acclimatize in Switzerland and in the UK, the host countries he now calls home. In the context of the Caux Dialogue on Land Security which took place from 29 June to 3 July, Abo Hawi, leader of a village in a very dry and degraded area in Northern Ethiopia shared the success story of how his village became fully self-sufficient in terms of food production.

Dr Omnia Marzouk, President of the International Association of Initiatives of Change International concluded the Official Opening by encouraging participants of the 2016 Caux Conferences to move out of their comfort zones and to take the steps to build a better world.

The Caux Palace opened its doors to the public!

Over 100 people have come to discover the Caux Pal- To discover this place with a unique heritage and hisace during CAUX-IofC Foundation’s Open House Day, tory, visitors were divided into small groups of 5 to 15 and accompanied by local and international guide-stoon 16 July 2016.

For visitors mainly from the Montreux region, but also ry-tellers. The visit included historical re-enactments, from Ukraine and all over the world, it was the oppor- insider anecdotes and a chase down the old luxury tunity to finally discover the famous Palace that can hotel’s corridors for clues, in a fun and family-friendbe seen high over the city of Montreux. For others, it ly atmosphere. The history of the village before the building of the Palace was shared was simply the occasion to enjoy the in the exhibition hall, the visit of idyllic setting and the splendid views the Maharaja’s room in the southover the Montreux Riviera. east part of the building enabled It is through an open discussion participants to learn more about with the visitors that the CAUX-IofC the Maharadja’s visits, and finally Foundation was able to provide an a stop by the panoramic terrace overview of its mission and its acprovided an opportunity to comtivities in Switzerland. Some visitors memorate the Jews that found refwere surprised as to how many people from different uge in the Caux Palace as well as those that did not. countries could be gathered in such a place, high up in the Swiss mountains, to discuss world peace. Barbara At the end of the day, visitors participated in a dialogue Hintermann, secretary general of the CAUX-IofC Foun- on the role of mediation. This workshop was led by dation, highlighted Caux as a special and safe space Enrico Formica, UN mediation expert in Geneva, and allowing an open and honest dialogue, the importance focused on acquiring practical skills for mediation in of sharing positive testimonials and stories and listen- everyone’s own environment. ing to one’s inner voice as some of the factors making We would like to thank all visitors for their interest and the international Caux Conferences an inspiration for for making this day a moment full of exchange and discovery! change.

Remembering Bukiwe Maseko The Caux community had the bittersweet experience of celebrating the life, commitment and passion of Princess Bukiwe Maseko on 22 July 2016. She passed away shortly before the start of the conference season.

Bukiwe has been coming to Caux for more than sixteen years, and lead the housekeeping team for the past six years. It was a shock to everyone that only last year she brought her South African brand of care and management with such joy, and this year she has gone to fairer fields.

She was the face of the ‘Volunteers of the Caux Conferences’ in the 2015 Conference Report. It is fitting that this peace-builder, guide, friend and mentor should have been in the spotlight just before leaving us. She is deeply missed, but we live the spirit of Caux as described by her “Also, you have the spirit of the house. This place is so warm and welcoming. You have time to listen to one another and to experience the spirit of real teamwork. Above all, you get that fulfillment Over 500 people gathered for a Braai-style lunch in her of caring for people. Because that is what the world honour, with photos around the Dining Hall, followed needs. We need to care for one another. And here you by a church memorial and a tea. A collection was tak- get the chance to do so.”. en and the CAUX-IofC Foundation supplemented it; fi - Thank you Bukiwe for all you shared and showed us. nances will be sent to her family’s favoured charity.

Press and Publications Annual Report 2015 The 2015 Annual Report of the CAUX-IofC Foundation was published in June.

Find out more about the foundation’s activities in 2015. You can download the report on our website: www.caux.ch

CAUX-IofC in the news!

Swiss Television (RTS) broadcasted a news segment about the Caux Conferences and CAUX-IofC’s 70th anniversary! You can find the links to the video, as well as all media coverage of the summer on the Caux website: http://www.caux.ch/press-media

Staff News Ludovic Lafont joined the CAUX-IofC Foundation as Director of Finance, Human Resources and Premises in June. He worked 9 years in the private sector and he brings 7 years of experience in managing Finance, HR and premises for the International Committee of the Red Cross. Welcome Ludovic!

Adrien Giovannelli joined the team in Caux as Head of Maintenance in August 2016. Welcome Adrien!

Nataliia Verdegaal took over from Sonia Jan as a part-time employee for Caux Editions SA. We would like to thank Sonia for all her valuable work and welcome Nataliia to the Caux team!

Découvrez nos prochains évènements et formations!

4 October 2016: Regional Meeting of the Friends of Caux Open to everyone, the next Friends of Caux regional meeting is an opportunity to have an open dialogue on one of the highlights of the International Caux Conferences 2016: a testimony about Gill Hicks, who survived the terrorist attacks in London in 2005. Come and listen to this story of compassion and humanity, told by the Friends of Caux who attended the conferences this summer. It will take place from 14:00 to 16:30 at the CAUX-IofC Geneva Office. Registration at amis@caux.ch

25 October 2016: Human Library at the University Library in Bern Join us for the Human Library organized by CAUX-IofC on the theme ‘Enriching Encounters: What’s Trust Got to Do with Migration?’. It will take place on 25 October from 17:30 to 19:00 at the University Library in Bern.

1-4 November 2016: Facilitation Tools Training in Geneva Do you want to enhance your facilitation skills? CAUX-IofC and ICA:UK are offering training courses in facilitation methods that will strengthen your role as a facilitator in private, public or community settings. Register before 30 September 2016 to benefit from the Early Bird discount!

11 November 2016: Geneva Peace Week Event Initiatives of Change will be participating in Geneva Peace week again this year. It will partner with the UN library in hosting ‘The Peacebuilder’s Personal Toolbox: An Intergenerational Dialogue on How Peace Starts with Me’.

12-13 November 2016: Friends of Caux Autumn Weekend The next Friends of Caux weekend will take place on 12 and 13 November 2016. It is open to everyone who would like to participate in an open and honest dialogue about “Initiatives for an inclusive society” – with the participation of filmmaker Enno Schmidt. The weekend will be held in German and French. Registration until 26 October 2016 at amis@caux.ch

November/December 2016: Historical Treasure Hunts in Caux Discover the Caux Palace: join us for our historical treasure hunts in Caux this Winter! Hear about the amazing history of the Caux Palace and explore its rooms and endless hallways. Treasure hunts will take place on 27 November, 3, 10 and 11 December 2016. Registration at least a week before at events@caux.ch

Winter Gathering and Christmas in Caux 26 December 2016-1 January 2017 Join us for the 2016 Winter Gathering: take the time to reflect about ‘Change’, this year’s theme, and to experience community life with people from around the world! Prior to the conference, come and celebrate Christmas in Caux in a spirit of community from 23-26 December! Register before 15 October to benefit from the Early Bird discount! More information on www.caux.ch

CAUX-Initiatives of Change Foundation Address: PO 3909, 6002 Luzern Email : info@caux.ch Web : www.caux.ch

Kriens Office: Luzernerstrasse 94, 6010 Kriens Tel. +41 (0)41 310 12 61 Fax +41 (0)41 311 22 14

Geneva Office: 1, rue de Varembé, 1202 Genève PO 3, 1211 Genève 20 Tel. +41 (0)22 749 16 20

Conference Centre: Rue du Panorama 2, 1824 Caux Tel. +41 (0)21 962 91 11 Fax +41 (0)21 962 93 55