01 · Gender
Seeing differentiated impacts
Examining how transition processes affect people differently and why gender-responsive perspectives matter in policy, planning, organisations and everyday life.
DAAD Alumni & LeadHerShip Forum 2026
Gendering Sustainability Transitions
Bringing together DAAD alumni, scholars, practitioners and emerging leaders to examine how gender-responsive perspectives can shape more inclusive, equitable and sustainable transitions.
About the Forum
Connecting gender, leadership and sustainability.
The DAAD Alumni & LeadHerShip Forum 2026 creates a focused space for exchange across academia, professional practice and emerging leadership. The Forum connects expertise from the DAAD alumni community with the LeadHerShip initiative at Vietnamese-German University.
Under the theme “Gendering Sustainability Transitions”, the 2026 Forum asks how sustainability transitions can become more attentive to gendered experiences, unequal access to resources and decision-making, and the leadership needed to translate inclusion into institutional and societal change.
Sustainability transitions are not only technical transformations.
They are also questions of participation, power, opportunity and whose knowledge shapes the future.
2026 Theme
Gendering Sustainability Transitions
The Forum approaches sustainability transition as a social as well as environmental process, foregrounding gender-responsive leadership, inclusive institutions and pathways for transformative action.
02 · Sustainability
Broadening transition agendas
Connecting environmental goals with social equity, participation, care, access to opportunity and long-term institutional transformation.
03 · Leadership
Turning insight into action
Exploring leadership capacities, alliances and organisational practices that can move inclusion from aspiration to implementation.
Forum at a Glance
One day of dialogue, reflection and connection.
1Forum day
35+Target participants
50%+DAAD alumni target
3+Perspectives across sectors
Speakers
Voices shaping the conversation
Academic, professional and leadership perspectives come together to explore gender-responsive pathways for sustainability transitions.
Keynote Speaker
Prof. Dr. Tanja Mölders
University of Freiburg, Germany
The keynote will frame the Forum’s central discussion on gender and sustainability transitions, creating a common foundation for dialogue across research, institutions and professional practice.
Invited Speaker
Dr. Le Thi Thu Huong
Contributing a Vietnam-based perspective to the Forum’s discussion on gender, sustainability and pathways for institutional and societal change.
Invited Speaker
Ms. Nguyen Huyen Chau
Bringing a practitioner and leadership perspective to conversations on inclusive transformation, professional pathways and change-making.
Programme
A day structured around exchange and action.
Opening
Welcome & Forum Framing
Opening remarks and introduction to the 2026 theme.
Keynote
Gendering Sustainability Transitions
Keynote address by Prof. Dr. Tanja Mölders.
Perspectives
From Research to Practice
Invited contributions connecting academic knowledge, professional practice and leadership.
Dialogue
Panel Discussion
Cross-sector exchange on barriers, opportunities and pathways for gender-responsive transitions.
Interactive Session
From Reflection to Action
Participant exchange focused on transferable ideas, collaboration and future action.
Closing
Networking & Connections
Closing reflections and opportunities to continue conversations across the DAAD alumni and LeadHerShip communities.
Who Should Join
A cross-sector forum for people shaping transition.
DAAD Alumni
Alumni interested in reconnecting expertise, networks and professional experience around sustainability and inclusion.
Researchers & Educators
Scholars working across sustainability, gender, urban development, policy, leadership and related fields.
Professionals & Practitioners
People translating sustainability ambitions into programmes, organisations, communities and professional practice.
Emerging Leaders
Young professionals and students interested in inclusive leadership and sustainability transitions.
Institutions & Networks
Universities, civil society organisations and networks seeking collaboration around gender-responsive transformation.
Change-Makers
Anyone contributing to more equitable, inclusive and sustainable futures through research, policy or practice.
Join the Forum
Be part of the 2026 conversation.
Registration is now open. Please complete the official registration form to confirm your participation in the Forum.
The registration form opens in a new tab.
Venue & Information
Vietnamese-German University
The Forum will be hosted at Vietnamese-German University, bringing the DAAD alumni community and LeadHerShip network together in an academic environment dedicated to international exchange.
Event
DAAD Alumni & LeadHerShip Forum 2026
Gendering Sustainability Transitions
30 September 2026
Host Venue
Vietnamese-German University
Workshop room, ground floor, VGU Library, VGU Main Campus
Ring Road 4, Thoi Hoa Ward, Ho Chi Minh City