International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations
Beyond Nomadic Borders
The International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations (IISNC) is an intergovernmental research institute based in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, dedicated to the study of nomadic cultures and societies.
Established on 16 September 1998 under the auspices of UNESCO, the Institute is one of UNESCO’s Category 2 Centres, created through the joint initiative of Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Turkey. Its establishment marked the result of long-term cooperation between Mongolian scholars and UNESCO in exploring Central Asian civilizations.
IISNC promotes research, dialogue, and international cooperation to preserve traditional knowledge, sustainable land-use practices, and the cultural heritage of nomadic peoples. It serves as a platform connecting scholars, policymakers, and cultural practitioners to foster understanding between nomadic and settled civilizations and to contribute to global discussions on mobility, identity, and sustainable development.
Establishment date
16 September 1998
Headquarters Location
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Members
Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, and Turkey
What IISNC aim?
IISNC aims to inspire global understanding and sustainable development by celebrating the wisdom, resilience, and harmony of nomadic civilizations.
Reviving Dialogue Through Nomadic Heritage
Further knowledge of nomadic cultures and their contribution to world civilization, promote the understanding and appreciation of links between the past, present and future, and thus contribute towards the renewal of intercultural dialogue in the regions concerned;
Empowering Nomads for Sustainable Future
Contribute to the advancement of the nomadic peoples, assisting the nomads to better meet the needs and requirements of today’s world, and preserving their cultural identity, their values and ways of life;
Inspiring Research for Nomadic Futures
Provide a framework for a multidisciplinary study of nomadic civilizations in which scholars, and in particular young scholars, will be able to further their research in relevant disciplines.
Category 2 centres under the auspices of UNESCO
A UNESCO Category 2 Centre is an institution that works in official partnership with UNESCO to support its programmes through research, training, and international cooperation. These centres are created and funded by Member States but operate under a formal agreement with UNESCO. They serve as hubs of expertise that help advance UNESCO’s mission in areas such as culture, education, science, and social development. IISNC is recognized as a Category 2 Centre because of its specialized focus on nomadic civilizations and its contribution to intercultural dialogue and cultural research. By conducting studies, organizing conferences, and promoting knowledge on nomadic societies, IISNC supports UNESCO’s goals and strengthens global understanding of cultural diversity.
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