LeadHerShip Young Professional Summit 2025: Women and Youth Shaping Sustainable Futures
On October 11–12, 2025, the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) successfully organized the LeadHerShip Young Professional Summit 2025 at the Startup and Innovation Hub (SIHUB), Ho Chi Minh City. The event was jointly hosted by VGU and the Sustainability Unit of RMIT University Vietnam, with generous support from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Vietnam (FNF).
The Summit brought together over 40 participants, including students, young professionals, and academics from VGU, RMIT, TU Darmstadt, and other universities, along with representatives from civil society, development organizations, and the private sector.
With the theme “Roles of Women in Localizing the SDGs”, the Summit provided a platform to explore how women’s leadership and cross-sector collaboration can drive the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Vietnam and the region.

🎯 Empowering Women and Youth for Local Action
Opening the event, Dr. Đào Thị Bích Vân, Lecturer at VGU and Project Lead of LeadHerShip, welcomed participants by emphasizing that the Summit was not just an academic conference, but “a space for young changemakers to connect, learn, and co-create solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future.”
The LeadHerShip project, launched in 2024 with support from FNF Vietnam, focuses on empowering women in academia through leadership training and financial literacy workshops. The 2025 Summit marked a new milestone by expanding this initiative into an interdisciplinary forum for youth engagement and SDG action.
🌸 Keynote Highlights: Inspiring Perspectives on Gender and Sustainability
Three keynote sessions anchored the Summit, each offering a unique lens on gender, leadership, and sustainable development.
1. Dr. Trương Thục Tuyền (RMIT University Vietnam): “Women as Catalysts of SDG Localization”
Dr. Tuyền underscored how women play transformative roles in translating the SDGs into local realities. Drawing on national data and her recent research, she highlighted that “gender equality is a multiplier — when women lead, entire communities progress.” Her talk also shed light on how Gen Z women are redefining leadership and sustainability through their education and career choices.
2. Dr. Lê Thị Thu Hương (VGU): “Climate Change, Cities, and Communities: Empowering Women for Climate Action”
Dr. Hương focused on urban climate resilience, illustrating how women’s participation is critical in addressing SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). She shared success stories from Southeast Asia and called for inclusive climate governance:
“When women are part of the solution, cities become not only more sustainable but also more just.”
3. Ms. Đinh Thị Ngọc Quý (UPEACE Alumna): “Together We Lead – Young Women Partnering for Equality and SDG Action”
Ms. Quý inspired participants with stories of youth-led SDG initiatives, from gender clubs to climate advocacy projects. She introduced practical toolkits for SDG localization and emphasized collaborative leadership:
“The SDGs start where we live — in our classrooms, our workplaces, and our communities.”
💬 Panel Discussion: Voices of Change
A highlight of Day 1 was the Panel Discussion on “Women and Youth in Localizing the SDGs,” featuring speakers from academia, NGOs, and the private sector — including Dr. Đặng Thị Ngọc Lan (VGU), Ms. Mẫn Thị Thu Hường (MOJO Learn), and Ms. My Nguyễn (Women’s Empowerment Club – WEC).
Panelists discussed the evolving role of women in leadership, the importance of male allies, and the need to integrate gender perspectives into sustainability education. The discussion encouraged participants to reflect on their own agency in advancing gender equality and environmental responsibility.
🧩 Workshops and Interactive Learning
Two interactive workshops gave participants practical skills to turn ideas into action:
- Workshop 1 – Women’s Leadership in Sustainability, hosted by WEC, explored leadership mindsets, advocacy, and collaborative project building.
- Workshop 2 – Financial Literacy and SDG Localization, co-led by the DOC Community, introduced participants to financial planning tools, budgeting for social projects, and sustainable entrepreneurship.
These sessions encouraged experiential learning and peer exchange, allowing participants to practice communication, teamwork, and decision-making.
🌱 BrainHurricane: Youth as Changemakers
The signature activity of the Summit was the BrainHurricane – World Café Session, facilitated by Dr. Đào Thị Bích Vân. Participants worked in cross-disciplinary groups to design small-scale sustainability initiatives linked to SDGs such as gender equality, climate action, and responsible consumption.
Ideas ranged from “Green Campus Challenges” and “Youth SDG Networks” to “Gender-Sensitive Climate Education Programs.” The final pitching session showcased creativity, collaboration, and a strong sense of shared purpose among participants.
🤝 Partnerships and Acknowledgements
The Summit’s success was made possible by the collaboration between VGU, RMIT, and FNF Vietnam, with the participation of external partners such as Women’s Empowerment Club (WEC), DOC Community, MOJO Learn, and UN Women Vietnam.
Special appreciation was extended to Ms. Andrea Maria Sühl, Consul General of Germany in Ho Chi Minh City, for her support and encouragement of women’s empowerment initiatives in education and leadership.
🌟 Conclusion: From Learning to Leadership
The LeadHerShip Young Professional Summit 2025 concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing gender-responsive leadership and youth participation in sustainable development.
Participants left the event with new knowledge, professional networks, and practical skills to champion SDG initiatives in their institutions and communities.
As Dr. Vân shared in her closing remarks:
“Leadership begins with awareness and collaboration. When women lead — everyone thrives.”