Repakaba Tzudir, a research scholar in the Department of Sociology at Nagaland University, Lumami, represented India at the United Nations World Indigenous Youth Conference 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal, held on June 13–14. As an international delegate and Indigenous scholar, he highlighted the pressing socio-economic challenges facing Naga youth and joined regional peers in strengthening cross-border engagement on Indigenous issues.
The two-day conference, organised jointly by the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN), Nepal and the National Youth Council (NYC), Nepal, convened nearly 150 Indigenous youth leaders, academics, activists and community representatives from across Asia under the theme “Our Roots, Our Rights, Our Leadership: Collective Indigenous Movement for Self-Determination.” Delegates came from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and various parts of India.
Tzudir spoke on a panel titled “Indigenous Youth Movement in Asia,” where he outlined how unemployment and immediate economic pressures often push young people in Nagaland to prioritise livelihood concerns over broader Indigenous rights and long-term cultural aspirations. He said this trade-off constrains local youth engagement with identity-related issues and collective advocacy.
Conference discussions repeatedly raised shared concerns about the protection of identity, the preservation of land and culture, and the need to create meaningful opportunities for young people. Participants exchanged strategies for balancing tradition with social and economic change, emphasising regional solidarity and mutual learning among Indigenous communities.
Tzudir noted common challenges across participating countries, including unemployment, migration, limited access to education and livelihoods, and the gradual erosion of Indigenous languages and traditional knowledge. He acknowledged the growing role of Indigenous youth organisations in Asia in building platforms for leadership, advocacy, cultural revitalisation and community participation.
Arguing that economic development and Indigenous identity need not be competing priorities, Tzudir called for sustainable livelihood initiatives that preserve community values and cultural heritage. He urged greater investment in youth leadership, stronger community-based programmes and continued regional collaboration to amplify Indigenous voices across Asia.
The scholar said the conference strengthened networks among Indigenous youth and deepened his commitment to research, advocacy and community engagement for Indigenous peoples. His participation was supported by the Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity Fund (IPAS Fund) and the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN), Nepal, which provided travel and hospitality assistance.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/nagaland/story/nagaland-scholar-calls-for-balancing-economic-growth-and-indigenous-identity-at-un-conference-1416257-2026-06-30?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-06-30 09:23:00
