Written by: Denise Therese Anne A. Palisoc

The Asian Association of Women’s Studies (AAWS) will bring together scholars and gender and development practitioners for a special panel session at the 4th International Forum on Sustainability Science (IFSS 2026) on 5 October 2026 at the Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU) in Magalang, Pampanga, with hybrid participation.

With the theme “Co-Creating Gender-Inclusive Sustainability Transitions, Care Economies, and Resilient Asian Communities,” the AAWS Panel will explore how gender perspectives can contribute to more inclusive sustainability transitions, strengthen care economies, and support the resilience of communities across Asia. 
The panel will feature an Opening Message from Dr. Finaflor F. Taylan, President of the Asian Association of Women’s Studies and Dean of the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU).

Dr. Taylan’s leadership in AAWS and her work in management and development studies provide an important foundation for the panel’s discussion on the intersections of gender, sustainability, and inclusive development.
The session will be moderated by Dr. Maria Lourdes T. Jarabe, Secretary General of AAWS and Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Management and Development Studies, University of the Philippines Open University. 

The panel will feature four scholars and gender and development practitioners from across Asia:

• Dr. Aileen Park, Faculty and Head of the Research & Publication Unit and Coordinator of the Multicultural Education Resource Center (MERC) at Philippine Normal University Mindanao and Co-Vice-President of AAWS;
• Dr. Mala Khullar, Independent Consultant in Gender and Development from New Delhi, India and AAWS Council Member;
• Dr. Kristi Elizabeth Poerwandari, Professor at the Department of Psychology, Universitas Indonesia and AAWS Council Member; and
• Dr. Odine de Guzman, Professor at the Department of English and Comparative Literature, University of the Philippines Diliman and AAWS Council Member.

Through interdisciplinary perspectives and regional experiences, the panel will provide a space for dialogue on the intersections of gender, sustainability, care, and community resilience. The session forms part of IFSS 2026’s broader commitment to advancing inclusive and collaborative approaches to sustainability science. 
The 4th International Forum on Sustainability Science (IFSS 2026) will be held on 5–7 October 2026 at PSAU and online, under the theme “Sumlag! Inclusive Sustainability Transitions through Co-creating Resilient Communities, Livelihoods, and Sustainable Destinations.”

The AAWS Panel is open to registered IFSS 2026 participants and offers an opportunity to engage with regional scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of gender and sustainability. 

IFSS Website: https://ifss.upou.edu.ph/