A Journey into Collective Leadership
Two weeks ago, we received an unexpected and exciting invitation through one of our partners, the Colruyt Group Foundation. They nominated us to participate in the Global Leadership Academy (GLA), a unique initiative by AVPN, the largest network of social investors in Asia. The GLA, hosted this year in Bangkok, Thailand, brought together a diverse and dynamic group of impact leaders, primarily from the Global South. And we were there too!
Although our colleague Céline doesn't identify as a southern leader, she was invited as part of a broader focus of GLA to ensure diversity in gender, geography, background, experience, age, and even ability — with strong intention to include people living with disabilities. It’s rare to see such deliberate inclusiveness in leadership spaces, and it made this gathering feel all the more intentional.
The Academy was designed to create a reflective space where collaboration, (un)learning, and transformation could happen across sectors and borders. Rather than following a top-down training model, it encouraged participants to deepen their understanding of systems change and build leadership capacity by listening to and learning from southern voices — not just as participants, but as key knowledge holders and storytellers. Leadership here was interpreted in a more collective, relational, and contextualized way, rooted in lived experience rather than formal roles or titles.
"The week was filled with deep conversations, a local site visit to a food saving NGO, and sessions where we explored methods like open space technology and deep democracy to engage with different perspectives. Rather than a structured training, the week was about sharing, questioning, and co-learning — building relationships as much as exchanging knowledge. I connected with peers from Nepal, India, Thailand, Myanmar, Sweden, Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. It was inspiring to exchange with people with a diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and approaches — yet all united by a shared commitment to tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges."
We're incredibly grateful to have been part of this journey, and to AVPN for curating such a thoughtful and inclusive space. And of course, a heartfelt thanks to the Colruyt Group Foundation for the nomination and continued partnership.
Footnote:
AVPN (Asian Venture Philanthropy Network) works across sectors to increase the flow of financial, human, and intellectual capital into impact — supporting organizations that address key social and environmental challenges across the Asia-Pacific region.