Leadership for Mission

What is it?

Leadership for Mission is a unique, national leadership program for Catholic women providing theological education, leadership development, faith formation and preparation for mission in a multi-faith world.

Leadership for Mission is a joint initiative of the Council for Australian Catholic Women, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Catholic Mission and the Australian Catholic University. The program is designed by and for women who are inspired by the Gospel vision of justice, freedom and the dignity of the human person.

Across a series of educational and formative encounters, this unique program brings the leadership experiences of women within the Church together in the context of an academic and collaborative learning environment.

Framed by an engagement with scripture, theology, spirituality and leadership, Leadership for Mission encourages participants to reflect on their faith in the context of the challenges and opportunities of our contemporary world. In the company of other women, this program invites participants to explore how and in what ways their personal mission and vocation can contribute to a vision of leadership for the church and society, which promotes equity, equality, and reconciliation.

This is a two-year, part-time program structured across four residential sessions and supported through Australian Catholic University’s online learning management system. The Faculty of Theology and Philosophy awards the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies to participants upon completion of the program.

How does it help?

This multi dimensional program provides a holistic formation for young women in the areas of theological education, leadership development, faith formation and preparation for mission.

This program is open to Catholic women aged between 25-35 with diverse personal and professional experiences from across Australia.

Why is it important?

Following research into the participation of women in the Australian Church (1999) the Australian Catholic Bishops committed to increasing the number of women in decision making and leadership roles in the Church.

This initiative also responds to concerns in the Church in Australia in the leadup to the National Plenary Council, a central theme of which will be increasing lay leadership.

How did it start

The Autralian National Office for the Participation of Women has facilitated various programs focussed on the leadership of young women over the past ten years. Each program has been evaluated and adapted in response to feedback. In partnership with the Australian Catholic University and Catholic Mission, visionary planning and practical negotiations culminated in this program being launched in 2017.

Benefits

The program develops the skills, knowledge and confidence of a cohort of women and equips them for leadership.

“The Leadership for Mission program has been an empowering experience. It has connected me with an incredible group of supportive women, who have encouraged me to consider issues of women’s leadership from a range of different angles and viewpoints. The academic component of the program has been equally challenging and inspiring and has really enabled me to connect with my faith in an intellectual way that has me really excited about the possibilities for my future with the Church. As a faith formation program, Leadership for Mission has allowed me to feel more connected to my faith and has made me realise the important role I am playing as one woman in the Church. It is an absolutely life changing, joy filled, empowering program and I am so thankful to have been a part of it.”

– Sophie Cox, Leadership for Mission 2018/2019

Means and funding

The Australian Catholic University, Catholic Mission, the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference and the participants support the initiative financially.

As a sponsored program, in Australia students are required to contribute 20% of the academic fees over the course of two years (a total contribution of approximately $4,000).

Learn more

Leadership for a mission  is a two-year, part-time program structured across four residential sessions and supported through Australian Catholic University’s online learning management system. Airfares, accommodation, excursions and meals are included.

The academic component of this program consists of a total of 40 credit points (cp), comprising four compulsory units (10 cp each). Upon completion, the participant will be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies by the Faculty of Theology and Philosophy.

You can learn more information through our website: www.leadership4mission.com.au

Countries involved

How to start?

Interested Catholic women could form a partnership between a Catholic University and other Catholic partners to provide the blend of academic, personal, faith and leadership formation.