The Belmont Forum officially launched the inaugural cohort of its Advancing Leadership Program (ALP) with a four-day Kick-Off Workshop held in Bangkok, Thailand, from 25–29 June 2026, bringing together a new generation of transdisciplinary leaders committed to addressing global environmental change.
Hosted ahead of the Belmont Forum Plenary, the workshop was made possible through the generous support of Program Management Unit for Human Resources & Institutional Development, Research and Innovation (PMU-B), the Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI), and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA). The programme was designed and expertly facilitated by Inclusive Innovation, creating an engaging environment for collaborative learning and leadership development.
The inaugural cohort includes 24 participants from 12 countries, organized into Transdisciplinary (TD) Pairs. Each pair brings together a researcher and a societal actor representing academia, government, the private sector, or civil society, reflecting the Belmont Forum’s commitment to strengthening collaboration across disciplines, sectors, and knowledge systems.
Learning Through Collaboration and Practice
Throughout the workshop, participants explored the principles and practice of transdisciplinary leadership through interactive sessions, hands-on exercises, and collaborative dialogue. They were introduced to practical tools such as Creative Problem Solving (CPS), stakeholder analysis, and the 5Ps framework, building skills to navigate complex sustainability challenges through inclusive and solution-oriented approaches.
A highlight of the programme was a field visit to the Food Bank Project at Si Mum Mueang Market, where participants observed how partnerships across multiple sectors are helping address food loss and food security in Thailand. The visit provided valuable insights into how transdisciplinary collaboration can translate knowledge into practical action with tangible societal benefits.
Beyond the formal programme, the workshop created opportunities for participants to build lasting professional relationships, exchange experiences across diverse cultural and disciplinary backgrounds, and establish a strong peer network that will support them throughout the programme.
A Year-Long Leadership Journey
The Bangkok workshop marks the beginning of a year-long leadership journey that combines mentorship, peer learning, and expert-led virtual training. The cohort has already continued its learning through TD Foundations 101, facilitated by the Global Council for Science and the Environment (GCSE), the first in a series of collaborative learning experiences delivered with international partners.
As the Advancing Leadership Program progresses, the Belmont Forum looks forward to supporting this growing community of emerging leaders as they strengthen their capacity to bridge science, policy, and society, advancing the collaborative approaches needed to address today’s most pressing global environmental challenges.
Meet the 2026 ALP Cohort
Discover the Transdisciplinary (TD) Pairs that make up the inaugural ALP cohort and learn how they are collaborating across disciplines, sectors, and regions to address complex sustainability challenges.
Explore the 2026 ALP TD Pairs and learn more about their projects here