Inclusive and Collaborative Leadership in Mizoram

 A Symposium on “Inclusive and Collaborative Leadership in Mizoram” was organized by The White Dot Solidarity Network (a youth focused and youth led organization working to provide needs based capacity building, resources and support to young leaders and youth collectives from marginalized and vulnerable communities) in collaboration with Full Life Access Trust (FLAT), In Lehkha and the Centre for Humanities and Social Sciences Research in Aizawl on 5th June 2024 at the I&PR Directorate Auditorium. 

The Symposium aimed to build a discourse on the need for diversity in leadership structures be it in academia, governance or social enterprises, as well as deliberate on the challenges that women, young people, people from vulnerable communities face in accessing leadership positions and possible ways of negotiating those barriers. 

In the spirit of talking about inclusive leadership, the symposium started with an interactive hands-on workshop on Feminist Participatory Action Research (FPAR) facilitated by Ananya Kundu, feminist researcher, activist, young peacebuilder, Founder & Executive Director of the White Dot Solidarity Network. The workshop was attended by University students, professors, young social workers and activists who learnt about feminist participatory research methodologies and ways of using the FPAR model as a tool for community led social intervention designing and community led evidence generation. Participants learnt about the ethics, values and the process of designing a project using this tool and using it to support and build leadership in people from vulnerable communities through the process of community led research. 

A panel discussion was also held on ‘Inclusive Leadership- Bringing In Voices From The Margins’ with Lalrinpuii, Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Social Welfare & TA and others, Govt. of Mizoram; B Lalchhanzova, Founder of Cod Nerc and Minister of State, Government of Mizoram; Dr. Lalnghakthuami, Professor, Aizawl Theological College; Lalremtluangi Hmar, Entrepreneur & Founder- Lawm From The Hills; Rebek L.Khiangte, Founder and Director, FLAT, Mizoram moderated by Dennis Lallienzuol Hmar, YLF Fellow of United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs & Co-Founder of White Dot Solidarity Network. 

During the panel discussion,  key issues ranging from women and youth participation to inclusive leadership were discussed examining structural and social/cultural barriers. Also,creating better opportunities and pathways for Mizoram youth to engage were key aspects the panelist discussed from policy space to public space. Entrepreneurs highlighted the need for creating a supportive ecosystem to thrive in emerging markets, build easy access to state aided economic capital and create safe social spaces for connecting with mentors, advisors and peers, to get guidance that can enable individuals to start their ventures. Further, a discourse on elitism in academia was discussed, deliberating how academia remains inclusive and accessible and ways to change it. A question from the audience brought the panel’s attention to disability as a key social identity that is often not accommodated in support structures that the government and civil society put in place for community upliftment, bringing home the message that institutions should consistently question themselves in whose voices are missing from their structures and what they can do to accommodate them. Lastly it was realized that inorder for meaningful youth inclusion to take place, initiative and action should be taken from both sides. Accessible opportunities need to be created for young people along with awareness, and young people on the other hand should also take steps to effectively make use of the resources in place and raise their voice on issues concerning them.