On 24 August, the International Gender Champions (IGC) Secretariat brought together Geneva-based actors for an intimate roundtable discussion with Michael Møller, former Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva and one of the IGC’s three Co-Founders, to reflect on the network’s origins and legacy. The discussion focused on the vision underlying the IGC’s creation and what it takes to drive institutional change for gender equality from positions of influence.
Drawing on his experience, Michael Møller reflected on the importance of leadership in turning commitments into action. The conversation revisited the ideas which drove the IGC’s creation back in 2015 and the gaps the network sought to address.
The conversation further addressed the role institutional leadership plays in increasing visibility, credibility and reach of gender equality efforts and the challenges of sustaining progress in practice. Michael Møller shared his experience in dealing with resistance and scepticism and reflected on the broader difficulty of turning political support into lasting institutional change. Participants agreed on the importance of moving beyond merely expressing support, and towards pursuing concrete measures that strengthen accountability and make gender equality a both an individual and an institutional responsibility.
Looking ahead, participants explored how courageous leadership can continue to move the equality agenda forward amid growing polarisation, geopolitical tensions, budget cuts, and multilateral reform processes and what role the IGC can play in navigating these challenges over the next decade.
The exchange was a powerful reminder that real institutional change happens when leaders turn commitment into action and use their influence to move progress forward. As the IGC enters its second decade, this kind of leadership will remain essential to advancing gender equality across the multilateral system.