Robert Hahnloser (1908-1950) was a Swiss engineer and a leading figure in the Moral Re-Armament (MRA) movement, now known as Initiatives of Change. He is best known for co-founding the Caux Conference Centre, a landmark of international reconciliation after the Second World War.
He pursued engineering studies in Switzerland and the USA, becoming an experienced electrical engineer. He specialized in industrial relations and personnel management, while serving as an artillery captain in the Swiss army.
In 1941, he married Dora Gassmann, with whom he had four sons. Together, they became fully involved in the Moral Rearmament movement. In 1945, at the invitation of Dr Frank Buchman, founder of the MRA, Robert took part in a meeting on Mackinac Island in the United States. This meeting proved decisive, and he and others decided to set up a European centre for the MRA in Switzerland.
In 1946, together with diplomat Philippe Mottu, Robert acquired the Caux Palace, a former bankrupt hotel overlooking Lake Geneva. With the support of nearly 100 Swiss families and individuals, they transformed the building into an international conference centre. Robert personally supervised the renovation work, mobilizing Swiss and international volunteers to restore the premises in just six weeks. On July 9, 1946, the first meal was served to 150 guests, marking the start of the Caux conferences.
Under Robert's leadership, the centre became a place of dialogue and reconciliation, welcoming thousands of participants, including French and Germans, in a spirit of peace and mutual understanding. Major political figures such as Konrad Adenauer and Robert Schuman took part, laying the foundations for future European cooperation.
Tragically, Robert Hahnloser died suddenly in Zurich on March 22, 1950, at the age of 41. His death prompted tributes around the world, with memorial services held in Zurich, London, Stockholm, Los Angeles, Johannesburg and New Zealand. To honour his memory, the Robert Hahnloser Memorial Fund is created to support the Caux centre.
In 1965, the Robert Hahnloser Foundation was established to continue his work, providing financial support for the Caux conferences and offering scholarships to young people from all over the world. Today, the Caux centre continues to host initiatives for peace and dialogue, perpetuating Robert Hahnloser's legacy.
See: https://www.foranewworld.org/material/publications/robert-hahnloser
