BIO Mark Milton

Mark is an educator, peacebuilder, and social entrepreneur dedicated to fostering a culture of listening, empathy, and human connection. Since the early 1990s, his work has focused on bringing these essential skills into education, guided by the belief that genuine understanding is one of the foundations of a more peaceful and compassionate world.

He is the Founder and Executive Director of the Swiss Foundation Education 4 Peace (E4P) and founding partner of the SoH Forum.

He is whose programs have helped millions of children and young people develop emotional resilience, empathy, and the ability to engage constructively with difference. Through this work, Mark has championed the idea that curiosity and deep listening are key capacities for navigating complexity and building harmonious relationships across cultures, perspectives, and values.

His commitment to compassionate dialogue is also rooted in years of service as a volunteer listener on a suicide prevention hotline, where he witnessed the transformative power of presence, acceptance, and human connection. From this experience emerged a simple yet profound insight: when people are truly heard, curiosity can replace judgment, acceptance can soften division, and compassion can open the way to harmony.

Mark also served as President of the International Federation of Telephone Emergency Services (IFOTES) from 2001 to 2010. His work continues to inspire future generations of leaders to act with wisdom, discernment, and care for the collective good.