Some twenty Australians are taking part in the 2009 International IofC conferences in Caux, Switzerland. Some have helped to plan and run the conference sessions. Others have been in the 'engine room' making the conference organisation, that depends on volunteers, run smoothly. One Australian taking part for the first time is Kristina Shaw from Canberra. Kristina writes:

On a mountain that overlooks Lake Geneva stands the Caux Palace. It is now summer and as the blue waters of the lake sparkle at the foot of the mountains, people from all around the world gather to share ideas and dreams.

As a junior intern, I am able to experience all that the Initiatives of Change has to offer. We work in most aspects of the house and are given opportunities to meet people who have spent half their lives working on programs that benefit people from all walks of life. We are surrounded by people who are important in their country, whose names are internationally known. The fact that we are working side by side with them, listening to their speeches and learning from their workshops is truly amazing and motivating. I am able to build friendships with young people from Armenia, Australia, Canada, Egypt, India, Lebanon, Malaysia, Moldova, U.S.A, Zimbabwe - to mention a few of the nationalities that the interns represent. We are here to change ourselves, and hopefully in the future, work together to change the world.

Caux Palace brings us all together in an environment that is peaceful and alive, challenging and inspirational, moving and joyful but most of all it is here to teach us all how to lead change in our countries when we return home.