Open Mic Session: Voices for Peace

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.