Caux Democracy Forum 2025

Conference Details

Date: 08 July 2025

Time: 07:00

Duration: 5 days

Location: Montreux, Switzerland

Cost: Register online for more information.

Organiser: Caux Initiatives of Change, Initiatives of Change International, The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and OHCHR

Conference Website

Conference Description

Revitalizing Democracy – Towards Inclusive and Peaceful Societies Across Europe and the World 

Join us next July for the second edition of the Caux Democracy Forum! 

The Caux Democracy Forum, taking place in Caux, Switzerland from 8 to 12 July, 2025, aspires to inspire, equip, and connect individuals, groups, and organisations committed to strengthening democracy, human rights and civic engagement across Europe and the world.

This Forum comes at a critical juncture for global democracy. Building on the inaugural 2024 event and in the wake of the "super election year," we will delve deeper into the values essential for strengthening democracy in a rapidly evolving world, threatened by disinformation, polarisation and waning participation.

By bringing together voices from civil society, grassroots movements, governments, academia, corporations and non-traditional sectors, the Forum creates a unique platform for addressing pressing challenges and fostering citizen engagement.

The Caux Democracy Forum is part of a three-year programme launched in 2024 which includes the Geneva Democracy Dialogues, regional events, and subsequent Caux Democracy Forums from 8-12 July, 2025 and 22-26 June, 2026.

This Forum is organised by Caux Initiatives of Change in partnership with Initiatives of Change International, The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and OHCHR, as well as other partners (the list will continue to be updated in the weeks to come).

A Transformative Approach Rooted in the Values of Democracy

The Caux Democracy Forum offers a unique, values-driven experience that interweaves core democratic principles with pressing global challenges. Each day of the forum is anchored in a fundamental value, creating a progressive journey of exploration and growth:

• We Are One Humanity: Recognise that our shared human experiences are the source of hope and the cornerstone of democratic societies;
• Integrity: Explore how we can champion integrity on a personal and collective level and drive systemic change;
• Trust: (Re)build relationships through trustbuilding, dialogue, respect and teamwork;
• Courage: Explore strategies to defend democratic values and confront autocratic regimes, polarization, and systemic racism through collective action and principled resistance;
• Hope: Cultivate and sustain hope as a driving force for democratic renewal, inspiring resilience, vision, and action in the face of uncertainty and adversity.

By aligning each day's discussions with a core democratic value, participants will gain a holistic understanding of how these principles can be applied to address complex societal challenges. This innovative approach aims to inspire and empower individuals to be agents of change in their families, workplace, communities or countries. 

Thematic Tracks

Guided by these core values, the afternoon programme is built around three interconnected thematic tracks.

Each afternoon, participants can engage in dedicated group spaces—collaborative sessions designed to foster deeper connection, reflection, and action around these key themes.

These sessions not only offer space to share experiences and insights but also aim to explore the approaches, skills, and tools needed to take part in shaping and supporting collective efforts rooted in dialogue, trust, and collaboration.

The thematic tracks include:

1. Healing the Wounds of the Past;
2. A Thriving Economy for People and Planet;
3. People Fostering Societal Cohesion.

Additionally, group spaces will host special interest groups, creating space for focused conversations and collaboration around some of the pressing challenges currently being faced in the world.

Stay tuned! More details on these tracks and group spaces will be released in the coming weeks.