Dimapur: Nagaland University research scholar Repakaba Tzudir represented the university at the United Nations World Indigenous Youth Conference 2026, held in Kathmandu recently.
The conference was co-organised by the Youth Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (YFIN), Nepal, and the National Youth Council (NYC), Nepal, under the theme, “Our Roots, Our Rights, Our Leadership: Collective Indigenous Movement for Self-Determination,” bringing together nearly 150 Indigenous youth leaders, activists, academics, and community representatives from across Asia.
Tzudir, from the Sociology Department of the Lumami campus of the varsity, attended the conference as an international delegate and Indigenous scholar, along with fellow participants from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, and various parts of India.
He was also a panel speaker at the session “Indigenous Youth Movement in Asia”, where he shared his views on the realities faced by Naga youth, especially the challenges of unemployment and how immediate socio-economic concerns often overshadow broader Indigenous issues and aspirations.
Reflecting on the experience, Tzudir said, “The most memorable part of the conference was realising how deeply connected our experiences are, despite coming from different countries and cultures. Although each community has its own history and context, many of us spoke about similar concerns, including protecting our identity, safeguarding our lands and cultures, and creating opportunities for young people.”
He highlighted one conversation that left a lasting impression on him, centred on how Indigenous youth are balancing the preservation of their traditions while adapting to a rapidly changing world.
“It reminded me that our struggles are not isolated and that there is great strength in building solidarity and learning from one another across borders,” the scholar said.
According to Tzudir, a common challenge addressed during the conference was the tension between preserving Indigenous identity and responding to pressing economic realities.