The Start of a Transformative Journey: AWE Mentorship Program 2026 Launches in Bangkok

“Leadership is not a solo journey.”

This powerful reminder from CALD Women’s Caucus Vice-Chairperson Alysa Chiu during the opening ceremony set the tone for the launch of the Asian Women Education (AWE) Mentorship Program 2026, held from 18 to 21 June in Bangkok, Thailand. The gathering brought together mentees, mentors, leadership coaches, and advocates from across Southeast and East Asia for three days of reflection, learning, creativity, and connection towards achieving the Women’s Caucus’ vision: equal and inclusive opportunities for women to participate, thrive, and be celebrated in politics without fear of discrimination.

Organized by the Women’s Caucus of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), in partnership with the Democrat Party of Thailand (DP), the launch officially marked the beginning of a six-month mentorship journey aimed at strengthening women’s leadership in politics and public life. The mentees will be guided by experienced mentors and leadership coaches drawn from political parties and civil society organizations across the region, offering insights into the realities, responsibilities, and challenges of public leadership.

Following Chiu’s welcome message, Chelse Racar Caballero, Program Lead of the CALD Women’s Caucus (CWC), introduced the mission, structure, and objectives of the AWE Mentorship Program, emphasizing its three pillars of internal, collective, and practical empowerment. The program’s mentors, who will accompany the cohort throughout the six-month journey, were introduced alongside the leadership coaches, whom the mentees would meet in the succeeding sessions of the launch. The cohort then embarked on three interactive sessions facilitated by Maya Tamayo and Viola Torres by inviting participants to look inward by crafting a symbol using clay, origami papers, and fuzzy wires to represent who she is as a leader at this point in her journey. Through storytelling, creative reflection, and dialogue, participants explored their leadership identities, reconnected with their purpose, and articulated the values that would anchor them throughout the journey.

The day’s reflective sessions naturally flowed into an intimate Welcome Dinner, graciously hosted by the Democrat Party of Thailand, a CALD founding member party. By then, the room had already transformed into a vibrant space of shared stories, laughter, and meaningful conversations as the group continued building relationships beyond the workshop setting. Welcome remarks were delivered by Isra Sunthornvut, Head of Foreign Affairs of the Democrat Party and a Member of the House of Representatives of Thailand; Jaslyn Go, Chairperson of the CALD Women’s Caucus; and Kewalin Sa-ngapet, Regional Program Officer for Asia at the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Asia). Together, they underscored the importance of regional collaboration, solidarity, and sustained partnerships in creating more pathways for women to lead across Asia.

On the second day, the focus shifted from purpose to power. Through movement exercises, discussions, and reflection activities grounded in Transformative Feminist Leadership, participants examined how power operates in their personal and political lives. As Tamayo, the main facilitator of the AWE launch program, reminded the group, “Transformative feminist leadership seeks to transform consciousness, relationships, and structures.” Rather than viewing power as domination or authority, the sessions challenged them to see power as something that can be shared, cultivated, and transformed collectively. This exploration took on a practical dimension through a simulated governance trial, where participants debated questions of accountability and leadership through the lens of feminist governance. By stepping into the roles of prosecutors, defense lawyer, mayor, and jurors, they grappled with the complex realities of decision-making and public responsibility.

In the afternoon, drawing on Marshall Ganz’s framework of public narrative, participants began crafting their “Story of Self,” identifying the moments that tested their values and inspired their commitment to leadership. The conversations continued beyond the room during a collaborative Thai cooking experience that blended culinary traditions with conversations about leadership and power. While preparing Pad Thai and Tom Yum Gong together, participants reflected on who naturally took the lead, who stepped back, and what those dynamics revealed about power within their own organizations and communities. What began as a cooking activity quickly evolved into a thoughtful discussion on collaboration, care, and collective leadership.

By the third and last day, the cohort shared their completed Stories of Self with the entire group, bearing witness to one another’s journeys and affirming the experiences that had shaped them. The program then shifted from personal reflection to broader political discourse through a data-driven session by Kwankaow Kongdecha, a political analyst from Thailand, who examined the intersection of feminist leadership with liberal and democratic values. This was followed by an inspiring panel discussion featuring the program’s mentors and leadership coaches: Hon. Yashinta Sekarwangi of Indonesia, Atty. Cyrille “Beng” Abueg-Zaldivar of the Philippines, Jaslyn Go of Singapore, and Hon. Ngalim Tiunn of Taiwan. Drawing from their own experiences in public life, the panelists candidly reflected on the challenges they had navigated, the difficult decisions they had made, and the lessons that continue to shape their leadership journeys. As Tiunn reminded the group, “Navigating powers means knowing which expectation to work with and which one to challenge and which one to compromise.”

Building on these conversations, participants revisited the materials they had created throughout the launch—from leadership symbols and values trees to era maps and vision statements—and transformed them into collective representations of the leadership they hoped to practice in the years ahead. The exercise served as both a reflection on the previous three days and a roadmap for the months to come, reinforced by Sekarwangi’s reminder to the cohort: “Stay true to your purpose, know your worth, and live with integrity in whatever sector you’re working in.” As the launch drew to a close, each participant shared a personal, symbolic object she had brought from home, explaining its significance and what it represented in her leadership journey. One by one, the objects were entrusted to the group, symbolizing the commitments participants were making not only to themselves but also to one another.

In the months ahead, mentees and mentors will continue connecting through online learning sessions and mentoring engagements, deepening the relationships and leadership skills they began cultivating during the Bangkok launch. Words from one of the mentors, Atty. Beng Abueg-Zaldivar serves as both a reminder and an inspiration: “This may be a cliché, but nobody really is born to be a leader. Anyone can become one. And this mentorship program is part of becoming one, and I hope that you will become the best leaders of your generation.” With courage, solidarity, and hope guiding the way, the journey ahead promises to be only the start of what the transformative journey these women will walk together.

The AWE Mentorship Launch was held with the support of FNF Asia.

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This post was written by CALD