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Hans India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
EFLU hosts international conference on reframing research methodologies for tribal communities
The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, launched a three-day international conference on Thursday titled 'Indigenous/Tribal Communities – Reframing Research Methodologies', bringing together academics, researchers, and tribal leaders to examine Indigenous Knowledge Systems and challenge conventional research paradigms. Inaugurating the event, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma praised EFLU for addressing a topic of deep national importance. He urged institutions and scholars to move beyond colonial academic frameworks and give due recognition to indigenous knowledge as foundational, not supplementary. 'Let us not merely learn about indigenous communities, but learn from them,' the Governor said, adding that tribal cultures must not be assessed through Western academic lenses. Quoting Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchú, he asserted, 'We are not myths of the past… We are people and we want to be respected,' and highlighted the significance of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in honouring the legacy of tribal leaders like Birsa Munda and the community's contribution to India's environmental and cultural heritage. EFLU Vice Chancellor Prof. N. Nagaraju reiterated the academic importance of indigenous worldviews, calling for greater inclusion of tribal perspectives within mainstream research. He outlined EFLU's initiatives in national capacity-building, particularly in language and skill development. The conference, organised by the Department of Indian and World Literatures, features speakers such as Prof. Y. L. Srinivas (Vice Chancellor, Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University), Prof. Deepak Kumar Behera (Guest of Honour), and Prof. Amareswar Galla (Keynote Speaker), along with university leadership and faculty. Conference sessions explore themes such as oral traditions, ecological wisdom, language preservation, participatory research, and decolonial humanities. The event also includes presentations by filmmakers and storytellers who showcase alternative, creative modes of knowledge that challenge dominant academic perspectives. The inaugural programme was hosted by Dr. K. Lavanya, who also delivered the vote of thanks.
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development to host forum on Ancestral Wisdom for Environmental Protection
The Cartagena Forum will culminate in a UN Declaration marking UNESCO's Decade of Indigenous Languages. 'Protecting Indigenous heritage and language is essential for environmental progress. Policies at all levels must be built upon the knowledge and leadership of those most affected by climate change.'— Viktor Sebek, President of SSCC CARTAGENA DE INDIAS, COLOMBIA, June 30, 2025 / / -- The South-South Cooperation for Sustainable Development (SSCC) is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking programme focused on preserving and sharing the ancestral knowledge of Indigenous Peoples to advance global environmental protection. On July 1-2, the forum will be inaugurated during a high-level forum hosted by the Government of Spain in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Cartagena de Indias. Despite wide recognition of the deep connection between Indigenous communities and ecosystem stewardship, concrete action to embed this knowledge into policy and practice often lags behind. The SSCC initiative aims to change that by catalyzing real-world applications of traditional environmental wisdom across continents. The Ancestral Wisdom and Environmental Protection Forum features an exceptional roster of global leaders and Indigenous voices, including: - Puyr Tembé, Indigenous leader from the Amazon and Minister for Indigenous Affairs of the State of Pará, Brazil - Ivonne Baki, Director of UNESCO Peru and former Minister for the Yasuni Region, Ecuador - Rigoberta Menchú, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate - Vinicio Cerezo, Former President of Guatemala - Indigenous spiritual leaders and experts from the Philippines, Malaysia, Ghana, DRC, and Cameroon - Olinda Salguero, President of Fundación Esquipulas and Vice President of the Presidential Mission (comprising 32 former heads of state) - Deputy ministers of environment and culture of the Government of Colombia The Cartagena Forum will culminate in the Cartagena Declaration, a strategic document marking the UNESCO Decade of Indigenous Languages and proposing concrete cross-regional initiatives. A permanent coalition will be established to guide a multi-year programme, rotating among continents. The Philippines Chair of ASEAN in 2026, has committed to hosting the next edition in Manila in 2026. 'Protecting Indigenous heritage and language is essential to sound environmental progress,' stated Viktor Sebek, President of SSCC. 'Policies at all levels must be built upon the knowledge and leadership of those most affected by climate change.' Further details can be seen on the dedicated website: SSCC extends gratitude to its generous supporters, including Neko Sparks Financial Services and Vijay Karia's Opticloud, recipient of a UN innovation award for climate action at COP29 in Dubai. Viktor Sebek SSCC email us here Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
