The 4th ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme was held in Labuan Island and Beaufort, Sabah, Malaysia from 7 to 14 August 2016 under the theme of “Nurturing Local Leadership toward Sustainable Development”.
Jointly organized by ProSPER.Net and the Higher Education Leadership Academy of the Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and University College of Technology Sarawak (UCTS), the programme provided participants with the necessary inter-disciplinary skills to lead sustainable development initiatives appropriate to local, regional or global contexts. Participants went through a unique experience during the programme with a special focus on collaborative efforts, leveraging networks and involving multiple stakeholders. After the programme we asked participants to reflect on their experiences and share some of their insights with us.
What benefits did the ProSPER.Net Leadership Programme offer to you?
“When we visited the different villages, we saw different situations and different challenges that were hindering people’s well-being. However, one common problem that I personally observed was the challenge of ‘behavioral adaptation’. Our visit to the village Bankalalak made me further consider the importance of changing people’s attitudes and behaviors“. Nomindari Enkhtur, International Relations and Partnership Manager, Mongolian Bankers Association.
“The opportunity to visit these sites has changed my perspective altogether on how I perceive waste management.” Haim Hilman Abdullah, Senior Lecturer. Universiti Utara Malaysia. Malaysia
“In my opinion, the role of cooperatives or local community associations may be more efficient than any individual leaders in the case of community-based tourism. A model of sharing and equal participation should be developed to enhance the scope of distributive benefits.” Roopam Shukla, PhD Student, TERI University, New Delhi, India
“During our one-week study tour, I not only deepened my understanding of sustainability in the region, but also recognized the necessity of local leadership crucial for promoting sustainable development in communities.” Yi Dou, Research Assistant, Center for Social and Environmental System Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
Read the full reflections
Leadership for Making Labuan the Pearl of Borneo, Haim Hilman Abdullah, Senior Lecturer. Universiti Utara Malaysia. Malaysia
The Challenge of Adaptation, Nomindari Enkhtur, International Relations and Partnership Manager, Mongolian Bankers Association
The Role of Cooperatives in Addressing the Mismatch of Stakeholders’ Visions for Sustainable Tourism, Roopam Shukla, PhD Student, TERI University, New Delhi, India
Consensus, Locality, and Local Leadership, Yi Dou, Research Assistant, Center for Social and Environmental System Research, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Japan
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The agenda can be downloaded here.
For a report on the Leadership Programme and presentations click here.