Grant name: A Cultural Gathering for Land Rights and Self Determination

Local partner: Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network (AYIPN)

Country: Philippines

Background and objective

Indigenous cultures are weakening and valuable indigenous knowledge and practices are being lost due to introduction of mainstream media; alienation of indigenous peoples from their land; misinformation campaigns that make the youth ashamed of their culture; and lack of education opportunities for the indigenous youth.   

The revitalization of indigenous cultures has been a part of the program and activities of the Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network. As such, this project aims to build a stronger appreciation of indigenous culture through various workshops, trainings and cultural exchanges of indigenous youth. Member organizations of the network will participate as part of the capacity development initiative that seeks to contribute to indigenous culture revitalization. 

Three training on advocacy and workshops on traditional knowledge were held in three countries. Four videos were produced by indigenous youth from Taiwan and Bangladesh featuring the traditional knowledge in their community.

Local partner information 

The Asia Young Indigenous Peoples Network (AYIPN) traces its roots to the First International Indigenous Youth Conference (IIYC) in 2002, hosted and organized by the Cordillera Youth Center, as a response to the increasing challenge of globalization on indigenous peoples worldwide. The network was created to consolidate the various indigenous youth organizations and their struggles in the Asia-Pacific region, while maintaining and forging international unity and solidarity among indigenous youth and peoples worldwide. AYIPN is committed to promote and defend the rights of indigenous peoples, particularly the rights of indigenous youth.