Leadership and development: Inclusiveness, education, and sustainability (LADIES)

Since the Consortium for Comparative Research on Regional Integration and Social Cohesion-Social Elevation (RISC-RISE) was founded in 2007 (RISC at the time), it has been characterized by two important traits: (1) a commitment to the principle of leadership within discussions of sustainable development; and (2) the presence of strong women leaders in the consortium’s governance structures and scientific initiatives. Neither RISC-RISE nor Regions & Cohesion would have thrived without the leadership shown throughout their decade of existence by a cross-regional community of strong women leaders. These women contributed to the success of these initiatives through the promotion of a people-based vision of sustainability (including gendered perspectives), an inclusive academic dialogue (including feminist approaches), and community engagement (including women leaders). Women engaged and directed this dialogue.