The University of Limpopo, through the Tufloop Graduate School of Leadership, proudly invites scholars, researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students to participate in the 2nd Global Leadership & Sustainability Symposium 2026. This important academic gathering will take place on 19–20 August 2026 at the Edupark Campus in Polokwane, with an online participation option available for international and remote participants.
The symposium will be held under the theme:
“Innovation for Climate Change Governance and Sustainable Development.”
Building on the success of the inaugural Global Leadership and Sustainability Symposium (2025), which brought together participants from more than ten South African universities and international partners such as Iowa State University, the 2026 edition seeks to deepen the conversation around climate governance and sustainable development. While global commitments to climate action and green development continue to grow, many countries such as in developing and emerging economies, still face significant challenges in translating ambition into effective implementation.
The 2026 symposium therefore shifts the focus from climate ambition to institutional delivery, exploring how innovation, governance systems, and institutional capacity can be strengthened to produce practical, inclusive, and sustainable outcomes. Key discussions will examine challenges such as fiscal limitations, governance fragmentation, capacity gaps, and persistent structural inequalities, including gender and rural marginalisation.
Call for Abstracts
Researchers and practitioners are invited to submit conceptual, empirical, comparative, and policy-oriented papers that critically engage with the symposium theme.
Abstract Length: 400 words
Submission Deadline: 16 June 2026
Submission Email: leadership.sustainabilitydialogue@ul.ac.za
Selected papers will contribute to critical discussions on leadership, innovation, and governance approaches needed to accelerate climate action and sustainable development.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Mnqobi B. Njoko
Lecturer and Programme Manager
Convener: Global Leadership & Sustainability Symposium
Managing Editor: Leadership and Sustainability Dialogue (Journal)
Tel: 015 268 4141
Email: leadership.sustainabilitydialogue@ul.ac.za