THE ART OF MAKING A DIFFERENCE

'I realized that I could make a difference in the world.’
- Maria Paula Garcia Romero, Colombia -

When was the last time you met someone you found truly inspiring? We all look up to the great men and women of history whose efforts and commitment moved mountains. But we shouldn’t underestimate the power of ordinary people to make a difference to the world around them.

Our latest stories feature just such people: an international network of artists who use their talents to help people reflect on solutions to climate change; a young Columbian who is fighting illiteracy in a remote village; and the latest participants in the Caux Peace and Leadership Programme Talks on culture and identity. We also report on an online webinar on land restoration in the Sahel, organized with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and on our hospitaliy team's adventures spring cleaning the Caux Palace!

In March we are organizingtwo online events: the fourth edition of the Caux Peace and Leadership Talks and a course on how to engage constructively in challenging conversations.

Enjoy the read and stay tuned for theupcoming launch of the 75th anniversary of Initiatives of Change in Caux!

Your Initiatives of Change Switzerland team

STORIES

The art of making a difference to the climate crisis

'If you want to make a difference, just look around you. There is so much to do!' - During the Caux Dialogue on Environment and Security 2020, the artist network "The Bards" created poems and music to help reflect on and overcome environmental issues.

Finding your own style of leadership to change the world

'If you copy someone else’s model of leadership, it’s not going to work. You have to find the one that suits you and the situation.’- Find out how Maria set up a library in a remote community in Colombia to fight illiteracy and help children write stories which transmit their culture and change their way of looking at life.

'Governance of Land in the Sahel': Report now available

How can we catalyse human security and building climate resilience through land restoration? The report for this webinar, organized in partnership with the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, is now available.
The event, chaired by Luc Gnacadja, brought together personalities who are active at the heart of safeguarding land and peace in the Sahel region.

Spring cleaning at the Caux Palace

Our hospitality team in the Caux Conference and Seminar Centre is on a mission that sometimes turns into a treasure hunt. It's spring cleaning time in the vast, 29,000 square metre Caux Palace!

'Afghanistan gave me roots, Denmark gave me wings'

'How I grew up at home, was distinctly different from what I experienced whenever I stepped outside the door at home.' - Abeda Nasrat reflects on growing up with two different cultures.

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Culture, origins and Freedom

'Every imprint is a cultural imprint. Culture is all-encompassing. The people who shape you cannot escape their own cultural imprint any more than you can.' - Sebastian Hasse from Germany on culture, emotions and their impact on our lives.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Culture and Identity

Register now and take part in an online conversation around culture, identity and the effect of colonization on young people's identities.

Engaging Constructively in Challenging Conversations

The online course Engaging Constructively in Challenging Conversations (ECCC) is designed to give you the skills and confidence to have constructive conversations in the midst of differences and conflicts – honest conversations that build understanding and create connection rather than separation.

www.iofc.ch

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Photo "Governance of Land in the Sahel": Darfuri refugee camp in eastern Chad – photo with kind permission by CORD UK