A research scholar from Nagaland University represented India at the United Nations World Indigenous Youth Conference 2026 in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he highlighted the challenges faced by Indigenous youth and called for a balanced approach to economic development and the preservation of Indigenous identity. Repakaba Tzudir, a research scholar from the Department of Sociology at Nagaland University’s Lumami campus, participated in the two-day international conference held on June 13 and 14 as an International Delegate and Indigenous Scholar. The conference was jointly organised by the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN) and the National Youth Council under the theme, “Our Roots, Our Rights, Our Leadership: Collective Indigenous Movement for Self-Determination.” The event brought together nearly 150 Indigenous youth leaders, academics, activists and community representatives from across Asia to discuss issues affecting Indigenous communities and explore opportunities for greater regional cooperation.
Tzudir joined delegates from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal and different parts of India. He also served as a panel speaker during a session titled “Indigenous Youth Movement in Asia,” where he spoke about the realities faced by Naga youth, particularly the challenges of unemployment and the way immediate economic concerns often take priority over broader Indigenous issues. Reflecting on the conference, Tzudir said the discussions highlighted that Indigenous communities across Asia share many common experiences despite differences in geography, language and culture. He said participants repeatedly emphasised the importance of protecting Indigenous identity, preserving traditional lands and cultures, and creating meaningful opportunities for young people. According to Tzudir, one of the key themes that emerged during the conference was the need to strike a balance between preserving Indigenous traditions and adapting to changing social and economic conditions. He said the discussions reinforced the value of regional solidarity, knowledge sharing and cooperation among Indigenous communities. He observed that unemployment, migration, limited access to education and livelihood opportunities, along with the gradual loss of Indigenous languages and traditional knowledge, remain common challenges across many participating countries. Drawing from the discussions, he noted that in Nagaland, economic concerns often become the immediate priority for young people, reducing their engagement with wider Indigenous rights and identity-related issues.
At the same time, Tzudir acknowledged the growing role of Indigenous youth organisations across Asia in promoting leadership, advocacy, cultural preservation and community participation. He stressed that economic growth and Indigenous identity should not be viewed as competing priorities. “There is a need to create sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring that young people remain connected to their community values, traditions and cultural heritage,” he said, adding that greater investment in youth leadership, stronger community-based initiatives and continued regional collaboration would help strengthen Indigenous voices across Asia. Tzudir said the conference provided an opportunity to build networks with Indigenous youth from different countries and deepened his understanding of the shared challenges facing Indigenous communities. He added that the experience has further strengthened his commitment to research, advocacy and community engagement. His participation in the conference was supported by the Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity Fund (IPAS Fund) and the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities, Nepal, which provided travel and hospitality assistance.
