CAUX SCHOLARS PROGRAM - INDIA

Building global leaders as innovators of peacebuilding, conflict resolution, trauma-informed healing, and narrative transformation.

The Caux Scholars Program - India is a transformative leadership initiative that has been held annually since 2014 at Asia Plateau in Panchgani, India. Established in 1967, Asia Plateau serves as an international conference center for Initiatives of Change, hosting various trainings, dialogues, workshops, and seminars throughout the year for corporations, armed forces, NGOs, and academic groups. The center focuses on trustbuilding, peace and social cohesion, ethical leadership, and sustainable living, with a goal of promoting positive transformation through introspection and dialogue.

The Caux Scholars Program - India brings together a diverse group of twenty students from around the world, providing them with a three-week immersive experience in transformative leadership. The program takes place at Asia Plateau and offers a unique blend of academic classes, practical work, and field learning engagements. Scholars delve into mainstream disciplines of conflict transformation, legislation and policy, development studies, international relations, and transitional justice, exploring these subjects through experiential learning tools and interactions with scholars from fifteen or more countries.

The program's curriculum is designed to equip scholars with the necessary knowledge and skills to identify, analyze, and address conflicts in their communities. Scholars engage in group discussions, individual presentations, simulations, and improvisational performances, fostering interactive and dynamic learning experiences. They also participate in contextual analyses, gaining insights into practical approaches to sustainable alternatives to conflict. Additionally, scholars develop negotiation skills, build local capacity, and engage in social mobilization by immersing themselves in the surrounding communities of Panchgani, India, where they listen, learn, and exchange active peacebuilding strategies. 

Asia Plateau's serene and reflective environment in Panchgani provides scholars with a space for personal and professional introspection. It encourages scholars to reflect on their own journeys, embrace honest accountability, and commit to building inclusive and just communities. Scholars also prioritize their own health and wellness, recognizing the importance of self-care in sustaining their efforts in the field of peacebuilding.

The Caux Scholars Program - India goes beyond academic learning; it fosters personal growth and transformation in scholars. By immersing themselves in the program's experiential learning opportunities, scholars develop a deep understanding of conflict dynamics, trauma healing, human rights, and non-violent action. They acquire practical skills, expand their global networks, and engage in dialogue and collaboration with fellow scholars, practitioners, and leaders from diverse backgrounds.

With a commitment to inclusivity and equity, the Caux Scholars Program - India actively embraces global South and indigenous methodologies and practices in peacebuilding and justice. It recognizes the vital importance of diverse perspectives and knowledge systems in creating inclusive and effective peacebuilding initiatives.

The program's impact extends beyond the duration of the program itself. A strong alumni network has emerged, comprising individuals actively engaged in academics, politics, international relations, NGOs, and grassroots initiatives. Scholars become part of a larger community of peacebuilders, contributing to the growth of intergenerational peace and justice movements worldwide.

Listen to what #CauxScholars have to say about their experiences in the Caux Scholars Program. Dig deep into the archive as alumni share their stories, reflections, and resources!