Professional skills are not enough, according to four frontline negotiators who took part in a human library event co-organized by the Competence Centre on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN) and Initiatives of Change Switzerland. Strong human and interpersonal skills, and even empathy and love, are also essential.

The 6th edition of the Geneva Peace Talks, on 21 September 2018, had the theme of ‘Peace beyond Borders’. In previous years, Initiatives of Change has provided speakers, but this year it was asked to co-moderate the event. Initiatives of Change (IofC) has built up a bit of a reputation in international Geneva for doing events differently by focusing more on personal stories and offering opportunities for interpersonal connection and even (crazy as it may sound) silence.

The conference is expected to finalize the rules for implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change under the Paris Agreement work programme (PAWP). It will also include a number of high-level events, mandated events, action events and roundtables. One of those events will be organized by the Caux Dialogue on Land and Security (CDLS) team together with the World Agroforesty Centre and hosted by the African Development Bank.

Be part of the Caux Forum communications team this summer and gain valuable experience while broadening your network!

The purpose of the mission, consists of the organisation and coordination of a yearly event/conference positioned during the Caux Forum in the international conference centre of Caux (Vaud), under the general title “Just Governance for Human Security”.

Christine Beerli, former Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and former member of the upper house of the Swiss parliament, was appointed on 1 November 2018 as the new President of Initiatives of Change Switzerland.

The foundation is looking for a Service Technician (100% in Caux) for the maintenance of the entire Caux Palace. The position requires an open mind and team spirit.

Storytelling forms a central part of the yearly summer Caux Forum. One of the most dramatic stories this year was that of former neo-Nazi Peter Sundin from Sweden. When he spoke in the main hall in Caux during Addressing Europe’s Unfinished Business 2018, the woman I sat next to was in tears. She couldn’t really find words to explain it. She had no radical past herself. ‘But it touches me in the heart,’ she said. ‘So much courage.’

Oana Dinea is a concert pianist from Romania, currently based in Geneva. She took part in the Caux Peace and Leadership Programme 2018.

This September, leaders and people from around the world have joined together in San Francisco at the Global Climate Action Summit and in New York City at Climate Week to celebrate achievements, discuss solutions, and ignite action for climate change.