Stephen Acabado and staff of the UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies attended a conference in Ifugao, the Philippines this past summer that brought together Indigenous peoples from the region and scholars who study the region to address issues vital to Indigenous communities worldwide.

by Stephen Acabado (UCLA), Marlon Martin (Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement)
and Raymundo Rovillos (Pangasinan Polytechnic University)

UCLA International Institute, October 17, 2024 — The Global Indigeneity Conference, held from August 22–25, 2024, in Banaue, Ifugao, brought together over 90 participants from across the globe, including representatives from the Philippines, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and the USA.

This unique gathering of scholars, Indigenous leaders and advocates provided a critical platform to address the urgent challenges facing Indigenous communities worldwide. Cosponsored by several Philippine State Universities and Colleges, such as Partido State University, Agusan del Sur State College of Agriculture and Technology, Sorsogon State University, Pangasinan Polytechnic College, Mindanao State University-General Santos and Ifugao State University, along with international support from the UCLA Center for Southeast Asian Studies, the event was made possible by generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation and the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research.

The Save the Ifugao Terraces Movement (SITMO) played a central role as the main community partner, driving the conference's mission forward. With SITMO's established work on Ifugao heritage conservation and community engagement, the conference reflected their long-standing commitment to promoting collaboration between Indigenous communities and scholars. SITMO’s efforts underscore their critical role as a driver of change and sustainability in Indigenous issues, making this event not only a forum for dialogue but a step forward in strengthening global Indigenous networks.

The conference opened with an energetic atmosphere, as participants engaged in insightful discussions on a range of topics, including identity, land rights, climate science, health and education. At the heart of these discussions was the drafting of the Banaue Declaration, a document urging researchers to adopt ethical practices that elevate Indigenous voices. The Declaration challenges the status quo of extractive research models, pushing instead for Indigenous peoples to take active roles in shaping the very research that impacts their lives. This is not just a call to collaborate — it is a demand for equity and justice, marking a significant step toward decolonizing the research space.

This report has also been published on the website of the Wenner-Gren Foundation.