The ASEAN Climate Leadership Programme (ACLP) came to an official end on 10 December 2020 with a virtual ceremony for the award of certificates. In the workshop leading up to this, the ACLP participants shared insights into their individual leadership journeys and formed groups to present ideas for change projects to their peers, coaches and mentors and the supervisors who were invited to attend the presentations. During the closing reflection session, participants highlighted how the programme had enhanced their understanding of the climate-smart land use concept, while enabling them to practice their leadership skills and expand their networks at regional level. Some participants expressed their intention to apply the Theory U process in their work.
‘During the change project work with my sub-group, I learned that instead of always pushing forward to achieve a goal, it is also fine to reflect and consider other options from different perspectives. It’s like stepping back to leap forward,’ said Ms. Rafeah Rabiatun binti Othman, one of the participants from Malaysia’s Department of Agriculture.
This final virtual workshop marked the end of the two-and-a-half-month leadership programme (from 1 October to 11 December 2020), which explored the role of land management in food security and climate change in the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its Member States. The ACLP drew upon the Theory U change management method and framework, and consisted of five virtual workshops interspersed with additional group work and individual reflection time. The participants practised their leadership skills by developing self-defined change projects and interacting with each other as well as with other stakeholders who contributed their knowledge and perspectives to the programme.
Showcasing ASEAN spirit
The ACLP brought together 27 participants from nine ASEAN Member States (AMS), working in the fields of agriculture, forestry, land use planning, rural development and climate policy in the ASEAN context.
The programme aimed to enhance participants’ leadership skills while contributing to ASEAN policy processes and outcomes related to climate change, food security and land management. It was designed as a contribution to the work of the ASEAN Climate Resilience Network (ASEAN-CRN) and will aid the implementation of ASEAN strategies such as the Vision and Strategic Plan for ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (FAF) (2016-2025) and the ASEAN Strategic Plan on Environment (ASPEN) 2016-2025.
During the ACLP virtual closing ceremony, Mr. Martin Hansen, GIZ Country Director for Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor-Leste, and Mr. Glenn B. Gregorio, Director of SEARCA, reflected on the relevance of leadership for driving transformational change towards a more resilient low-carbon society and economy in ASEAN. They congratulated all participants on completing their leadership journey and highlighted that, despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the participants had delivered an exceptional example of cross-border, cross-institution and cross-sector collaboration, showcasing true ASEAN spirit.
