As part of the UNDP Saudi Arabia Country Office’s continued commitment to capacity building and knowledge exchange, national talents are rising as powerful examples of leadership and innovation in the development space.

Layan bint Faisal, a team member at UNDP Saudi Arabia focusing on strengthening partnerships with civil society and academia, recently completed a prestigious training programme at the Hague Academy for Local Governance. The two-week course focused on Citizen Engagement and Inclusive Governance, and brought together practitioners and professionals from across the globe.

The programme explored how citizens can become true partners in shaping public life, from early-stage policy planning to implementation and accountability. Through intensive workshops and interactive learning, participants engaged deeply with frameworks that empower citizens not as beneficiaries, but as active stakeholders.

“The tools and methods introduced throughout the course broadened my perspective and uncovered dimensions I had not previously considered,” Layan reflected.
“It also reinforced the importance of asking the right questions, identifying shared interests, and understanding sources of motivation.”

From Participation to Strategic Thinking

The training examined inclusive governance through multiple lenses, emphasizing that participation must go beyond surface-level engagement to become the foundation of strategic thinking and holistic planning.

Layan joined the programme with the goal of gaining practical tools to enhance the effectiveness of development programmes, ensuring that citizen participation remains consistent, impactful, and sustainable. She also sought to strengthen her capacity to articulate and apply real-world examples that demonstrate the tangible value of participatory approaches.

A Global Dialogue, Grounded in Practice

What distinguished this programme was its remarkable diversity — facilitators and participants came from a broad range of professional, geographic, and institutional backgrounds, including national governments, local councils, civil society, and academia.

The in-person format provided a unique opportunity for rich dialogue, peer learning, and hands-on engagement. Field visits and case studies translated theory into action, offering insights that will serve not only Saudi Arabia’s local context but also broader regional applications.

Layan returns from The Hague with a broader vision and a strengthened toolkit — one that will directly support her ongoing efforts to expand meaningful partnerships with civil society and academic institutions across the Kingdom.