每日大赛网址首页进入 (CvSU) successfully conducted this year鈥檚 International Conference on Women Empowerment and Leadership in Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources (WELA 2026) with the theme: 鈥淚nclusive Leadership and Foresight for Sustainable Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources鈥� held on March 17-19, 2026, at the CvSU International Convention Center.
WELA is an annual conference initiated by the eight Filipinas as part of their Re-entry Action Plan (REAP) under the Meryl Williams Fellowship (MWF) of the聽Gender Equity in Agriculture Research for Development (GEAReD), the gender and development arm of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).
The conference serves as a catalyst for advancing gender-inclusive leadership and innovative foresight in the Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources (AANR) sector, with a particular focus on promoting gender equality and empowering women. Bringing together diverse stakeholders, it promotes collaboration, equity, and the sharing of best practices, which are essential for addressing complex challenges in sustainable development.
This event was funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD); ACIAR; and Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA). WELA 2026 is also organized by the CvSU – Gender and Development Resource Center (GADRC), International and Local Collaboration and Linkages Office (ILCLO), and the Southern Tagalog Agriculture, and Resources Research, Development Consortium (STAARDEC).
In her welcome remarks, CvSU President Dr. Ma. Agnes P. Nuestro highlighted the importance of embracing diversity and addressing sector-specific challenges.
鈥淚nclusive leadership is essential to advancing sustainable and equitable development in the AANR sector,鈥� she said, urging participants to champion gender equality in their respective fields.
The conference also featured messages of support from distinguished international and local partners. Among them were H.E. Marc Innes-Brown, Australian Ambassador to the Philippines, represented by Ms. Johanna Stratton, Counsellor for Political Affairs; Dr. Suzie Newman, General Manager for Partnerships of ACIAR; and Hon. Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, represented by Dr. Karen Kristine A. Roscom, Director IV and Officer-in-Charge of the Policy Research Service.
Also present were Dr. Reynaldo V. Ebora, Executive Director of DOST-PCAARRD; Dr. Mercedita A. Sombilla, Center Director of SEARCA, represented by Dr. Rico Ancog, Deputy Director, SEARCA and Ms. Ermelita A. Valdeavilla, Chair, of the Philippine Commission on Women. Support was further expressed by the presidents of partner state universities and colleges, including Caraga State University, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Mindanao State University鈥揘aawan, University of the Philippines Mindanao, University of the Philippines Visayas, and Xavier University.
Dr. Ma. Cynthia Rundina-Dela Cruz, Professor VI, GADRC Director, Conference Co-Chair, and MWF Fellow, presented the History of WELA and highlighted its role in promoting women鈥檚 leadership in AANR. Her presentation was followed by the conference highlights delivered by Assoc. Prof. Ma. Veronica P. Pe帽aflorida, Associate Professor V, ILCLO Director, and Conference Chair.
Following the conference presentations, the Trade Fair and Exhibit was officially opened, providing a dynamic platform for showcasing innovations and initiatives in agriculture, aquaculture, and natural resources.
The three-day conference featured four plenary sessions that highlighted the importance of inclusive, gender-responsive, and resilient approaches in agriculture and natural resource management. The sessions included: Partnerships for Tomorrow, which focused on strengthening AANR capacity, urban food resilience, and community support; SEARCA Special Session, emphasizing gender and youth inclusion for sustainable transformation of agrifood systems; PCAARRD Special Session, which explored mainstreaming gender in agricultural innovation through institutional platforms, assessment tools, and inclusive value chains; and MWF Special Session, addressing resilient AANR systems and empowering women through science, policy, and econometrics. These sessions collectively highlighted the importance of inclusive, gender-responsive, and resilient approaches in agriculture and natural resource management, emphasizing collaboration, innovation, and empowerment as key drivers for sustainable development.
A highlight of the event was a fireside chat moderated by Ms. Mercedita 鈥淐hi-chi鈥� Robles, offering a dynamic platform for experts and stakeholders to exchange insights on inclusive leadership, gender-responsive policies, and sustainable practices.
On the second day, parallel workshop sessions were conducted under the subtheme 鈥淓mpowering AANR Teams: Positive Workplaces, Research Methods, and Policy Skills.鈥� These included sessions on Building Positive Workplaces, facilitated by Ms. Gabrielle Jade B. Llamzon, Learning and Development Officer Positive Workplaces; Gender Research Methodologies in AANR, facilitated by Dr. Blesshe L. Querijero, Independent GAD Consultant; Policy Analysis and Development in AANR with Policy Brief Drafting facilitated by Dr. Aileen V. Lapitan, Associate Professor, College of Public Affairs and Development University of the Philippines Los Ba帽os; and Innovative Strategies for AANR Econometrics facilitated by Dr. Rene Andrin Villano, Head of the School of Business, Professor of the Faculty of Science and Agriculture, Business, and Law University of New England, and MWF Mentor. These workshops are designed to foster meaningful dialogue, encourage collaboration, and equip participants with practical tools for advancing inclusive leadership, gender-responsive research, and evidence-based policy development.
On the third day, parallel paper presentations were held under four subthemes: Climate-Smart and Resilient Practices, Digital Transformation, Green and Blue Economies, and Capacity Building and Policy Reform. These sessions brought together researchers from diverse disciplines who shared innovative solutions and practical insights to advance sustainable AANR development.
The three-day conference concluded with an awarding ceremony recognizing outstanding paper and poster presenters, workshop contributors, and partner institutions for their commitment to advancing gender-responsive leadership and research in the AANR sectors.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Meliza F. Abeleda, OIC of DOST-PCAARRD鈥檚 Socio-Economic Research Division, highlighted that gender and development must be at the heart of how research, innovation, and rural development pathways to rural development.聽 With a call to action to go beyond awareness, urging the development of programs deliberately aimed at promoting equity in the AANR sector. She also reaffirmed DOST-PCAARRD鈥檚 commitment to fostering inclusive and impactful science, technology, and innovation for the AANR sectors.
With the next WELA conference set to be held at Mindanao State University at Naawan, the initiative reaffirms its ongoing commitment to fostering innovation, empowerment, and transformative leadership in gender-responsive programs across the AANR sectors. (by Ellaine E. Todoc)
