The upcoming Second International Conference on Indigenous-led Research and Education is scheduled to take place in Kathmandu, Nepal on September 29 and 30, 2024. Building on the success of the first conference held in September 2023 in the same location, this event will focus on climate change, sustainable development, and Indigenous rights. The conference aims to highlight Indigenous-led research through storytelling and case studies that showcase lived experiences and community programs. One of the main themes of the conference will revolve around traditional foods and economies, discussing the impact of climate change, education, development programs, and conservation efforts on food sovereignty. In addition, topics such as biodiversity, conservation, customary governance, Indigenous education, development, conflict resolution, and peace-building will also be covered.
The Center for Indigenous Peoples’ Research and Development (CIPRED), the organizing body behind the conference, emphasizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge, skills, and traditions in the face of climate change and external threats. Pasang Dolma Sherpa, the executive director of CIPRED, highlighted the urgency of climate change impacts on Indigenous communities, citing recent events in her home region of Solukhumbu. The conference will leverage Indigenous-led research to promote and protect Indigenous knowledge systems and values for a sustainable future. The event aims to empower Indigenous Peoples in shaping solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises.
