WLI’s suite of Knowledge Products distil the program’s key approaches, methodologies and lessons learned in supporting current and emerging developmental leadership in the Pacific. These resources provide insight into how WLI fosters leadership identity, builds networks and relationships, supports the practical application of leadership skills, and addresses gender-related barriers to women’s participation and influence. Together, they reflect the program’s commitment to equipping Pacific women and men with the confidence, skills, and networks needed to lead positive and sustainable change in their communities and countries. Access the full suite of WLI Knowledge Products.
Strengthening women's leadership is an essential part of supporting greater Pacific leadership of development.
So, how does WLI support local leadership?
WLI aims to contribute to change by providing women who already have the interest and drive to pursue change with experiences that help further develop their skills, knowledge, confidence and networks and their perception of themselves as leaders. In doing so, WLI helps equip women to lead change.
WLI’s approach to leadership focuses on what it means to ‘be’ a leader, with structured opportunities for self-reflection built in to leadership training and individual coaching. This aims to support women to develop their leadership identity.
In recognition of this, WLI supports emerging Pacific women leaders to understand the process of development and their part in it. It provides a structured program of leadership offerings that enhances women’s knowledge, skills, confidence and networks and provides them with opportunities to work together to pursue positive social change. WLI provides support across four interlinked areas:
Developing leadership identity, skills and knowledge
- WLI’s core offering is an 18-month leadership development program offered to up to 30 women Australia Awards scholars from across the Pacific each year. Participants of the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program (WDLP) establish the foundations of developmental leadership, develop their own leadership style and foster regional and country-based connections to drive lasting change.
- This is complemented by the 6-month online LeadershipConnect program, which is open to male and female Australia Awards scholars from the Pacific.
- Ontological coaching is a key part of WLI’s leadership development offering. All WDLP participants attend up to five individual coaching sessions provided by WLI’s Ontological Leadership Coach. Unlimited coaching is also available to WDLP alumni from Tony Liston (WLI’s Ontological Leadership Coach) and the WLI Coaching Panel, individual and small group coaching is available to WLI Alumni Representatives, Leadership Fund recipients, Leadership Lab participants and selected male and female participants of LeadershipConnect. The approach to coaching on the program has been addressed in the Coaching Practice Brief, which can also be found on the Resources page of the WLI website along with all WLI Knowledge Products.
- Bespoke mentoring is a powerful resource for participants and alumni of WDLP, offering practical guidance, networks, knowledge transfer and support that can significantly enhance a leader’s effectiveness and career trajectory. The benefits of mentoring on the WLI program as well as a tool to supporting women’s developmental leadership has been explored in the Mentor Practice Brief.
Building relationships and networks
WLI activities provide opportunities for participants to build relationships and networks with current and previous WLI participants, Pacific leaders, and individuals and organisations working to pursue change in their areas of interest.
- Learning and Networking events provide Australia Awards scholars and alumni, other members of the WLI network and of the wider development community with opportunities to engage on key gender, development and policy issues affecting the Pacific, connect with one another and with the guest speakers, and to learn more about WLI and its planned activities. Learning and Networking events focus on a topic specifically relevant to gender equality or explore topics through a gendered lens.
- WLI supports participants and alumni to take advantage of non-WLI networking and professional development opportunities, such as speaking at and attending events, roundtables, meetings and conferences. These opportunities enable WLI participants to represent their countries in key circles of relevance and with support from WLI, access the tools to build their own confidence, profile, and credibility as leaders.
- WLI alumni (including WDLP and LeadershipConnect) have access to the Leaders Hub, an online engagement and networking platform. This serves as an enabler of productive, active linkages with and between Pacific based alumni and on-Award scholars and provides access to active opportunities and offerings that demonstrate the practical, supportive WLI program in action. It also provides the WLI network with updates and news, in addition to the WLI LinkedIn Social Media Platform.
- Alumni Representatives help to facilitate connections between WDLP (particularly in smaller countries) and Australia Awards alumni to promote networking and collaboration and identify potential activities or areas for WLI investment and support.
- WLI provide opportunities for alumni to stay connected to the WLI program and network once they return home. WLI run alumni-only events remotely via the Leaders Hub off the back of Learning and Networking events or other relevant topics. Alumni are also supported to run their own issues-based action groups and galvanize on topics such as women in politics or gender-based violence.
- Read how we support alumni to achieve their own leadership goals in the Locally Led Development Practice Brief.
Applying learning to practice
While the practical application of leadership skills is emphasised across all activities, selected participants also have the opportunity to apply for small grants to undertake projects in their home countries on development issues or challenges they identify. These projects enable them to put their leadership skills into practice.
- WDLP participants and select LeadershipConnect participants can apply to undertake a workplace internship or professional development opportunity to enhance leadership capacity. Taking a range of forms depending on the location, interests, and resources of the participant, these experiences develop leadership and professional skills and forge lasting relationships and networks.
- Through the Leadership Fund, participants and alumni work together to address real challenges in the Pacific region in areas such as women’s health, climate change, education and training. Project teams apply skills and knowledge learned on Award and collaborate around shared interest and expertise to: scope, design and cost a proposed activity, through to implementation and reporting, work with local leaders and other actors, including men, in their countries to ensure their activity adds value, and practice thinking and working politically, utilising networks and other WLI leadership tools and concepts. WDLP participants and alumni can apply to access the Leadership Fund through the Leaders Hub.
- Read more about how we support women’s developmental leadership in the Pacific.
Addressing gender-related barriers to women's leadership
In recognition of the significant barrier that gender norms pose to women’s leadership, the program is integrating a stronger focus on engaging with men to build male allyship and support for women’s leadership (Read the Engaging Men Practice Brief).
- LeadershipConnect is a six-month, tailored program of online leadership learning, networking and support for Australia Awards female and male scholars and alumni from the Pacific. Developed and delivered in partnership with La Trobe University’s Centre for Human Security and Social Change (CHSSC) and The Asia Foundation (TAF) Pacific Islands, it brings together a selection of the most popular content, guest speakers and opportunities from WLI's prestigious Women’s Developmental Leadership Program.
- The WLI Men’s Group is a 10-month initiative that provides a safe and inclusive platform for approximately 15 engaged Pacific male alumni to reflect on their leadership values, challenge harmful gender norms, and build the confidence and skills to actively support gender equality in their families, communities, and workplaces.
- Leadership Lab provides tailored support to WLI alumni and select men to exercise leadership on key policy and development issues, with learning structured around the specific developmental challenges that participants identified at the beginning of the program.
For further information on our work or any of our programs, read through the website or contact us.