The School of Political and Social Science, University of Phayao, in collaboration with the Hanns Seidel Foundation of the Federal Republic of Germany, organized a training program titled "Capacity Building on Local Governance for Gender Equality", held from 12–13 June 2025 at M2 Waterside Hotel, Phayao Province. The program brought together local leaders and network partners from various sectors.

Associate Professor Dr. Montra Pongnil, Dean of the School, assigned Assistant Professor Dr. Chayanun Maneewan, Associate Dean for Administration and Organizational Development, to deliver the welcoming remarks on behalf of the university. Attendees included representatives from local administrative organizations, civil society groups, and government agencies.

The project aimed to enhance understanding of gender equality and develop practical skills among local leaders to integrate this concept into their governance practices. The training covered a broad range of topics, from conceptual knowledge building and project design to policy evaluation and participatory, hands-on learning methods.

The opening ceremony was honored by the presence of Mr. Christian Wiese, representative of the Director of the Hanns Seidel Foundation in Thailand, who gave the opening speech. Esteemed guest lecturers included Assistant Professor Dr. Aroonee Santitivanich from Ubon Ratchathani University, along with faculty members from the School of Political and Social Science, University of Phayao.

Key highlights of the program included:

• A lecture on "Gender Perspectives in Local Governance"
• A workshop on "Project Writing for Driving Gender Equality"
• A creative idea presentation titled “7-Minute Pitch for Change: Transforming Localities toward Gender Equality”

Assistant Professor Dararat Kampheng, the project coordinator, stated : "Our goal is to foster deeper gender awareness among local leaders so they can design inclusive, fair, and responsive policies and initiatives that truly address the needs of every community member."

This initiative aligns with the School's mission to cultivate “Public Innovators for the Community” and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality, which is a foundational pillar for sustainable development.

The atmosphere throughout the training was dynamic, collaborative, and empowering. Participants expressed strong commitment to applying the knowledge gained to create meaningful, tangible change at the local level.