Women's Developmental Leadership Program

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Each year, up to 30 Pacific women Australia Awards scholars are selected to participate in the Women’s Developmental Leadership Program.

Through a range of offerings over 18 months, participants establish the foundations of developmental leadership, develop their own leadership style, and foster regional and country-based connections to drive lasting change. Alumni of the program continue to access bespoke support to exercise developmental leadership upon their return to the Pacific.

Bespoke Coaching

One-on-one issues-based and collective ontological coaching sessions give participants and alumni a safe space to strategically work through barriers holding them back from reaching their leadership potential.

 Residential Intensives 

Two week-long residential leadership intensives help participants build deep connections, learn from prominent Pacific and Australian leaders, and test understandings of, and approaches to, leadership in their own contexts.

Real Issue Challenges

By identifying and addressing real-life developmental issues in their own communities, countries and regions, participants test and embed leadership learning and skills. Opportunities to expand these efforts are available through the Leadership Fund.

Workplace Internships

Selected participants and alumni are supported to design, seek and secure work placements and internships in the Australia-Pacific that build skills, networks and readiness to take on take on leadership roles upon their return home.

Key Program Dates

30 October 2023

Applications opened on the WLI website

30 November 2023

Applications closed at 11:59PM (Australian Eastern Daylight Time)

November 2023

Shortlisting, interviews, reference checks

December 2023

Successful applicants notified

9 - 16 February 2024

First residential intensive in Tharwa and Canberra, ACT

February 2024 - August 2024

Ongoing mentoring, coaching and tailored support to develop your leadership skills

22 - 28 September 2024

Second residential intensive in Clear Mountain, QLD

Eligibility Requirements

To be an eligible applicant you will:

  • identify as a woman
  • be enrolled at an Australian university/ tertiary institution for the first semester of the calendar year
  • be available to commence the program in Australia in February
  • commit up to 15 days’ face-to-face contact across two residential intensives in February and September
  • have internet access
  • be a citizen of a Pacific country listed below.

Eligible Countries

Cook Islands

Federated States of Micronesia

Fiji

French Polynesia 

Kiribati

New Caledonia  

Nauru

Niue

Palau

Papua New Guinea

Republic of Marshall Islands

Samoa

Solomon Islands

Tokelau

Tonga

Tuvalu

Vanuatu

Wallis and Futuna