The conference was organized by the International Institute for the Study of Nomadic Civilizations under the auspices of UNESCO, in cooperation with UNESCO, Mongolian Anthropology Association, Commission on Nomadic Peoples, National University of Mongolia, Institute of Mongolian Studies of NUM, University of Oxford, University of Winnipeg, Ministry of Culture of Mongolia, Mongolian National Commission for UNESCO and National Human Rights Commission of Mongolia.
Some over 80 researchers, scholars, and experts of various academic backgrounds from the UK, Europe, North and South America, Central, East, and Southeastern Asia, and Africa have gathered at the National University of Mongolia to attend the conference. At the opening ceremony on the 22nd of June, the Director of UNESCO Beijing, the President of Mongolia, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkiye to Mongolia, the Minister of Culture of Mongolia, the Director of the School of Arts and Sciences of NUM and the Director of IISNC delivered a speech regarding the significance of nomadic culture. IISNC included an official dinner at ‘Nomads’ restaurant, an ‘Origin’ art exhibition with the visionary perspective of the WUISP’s Elders Council at the Mongolian National Art Gallery, and a day trip of experiencing a traditional celebration of Mares’ Milk and baby horses to Gun Galuut Nuur in the program, besides the academic conference.
The conference builds ongoing on discussions and initiatives regarding the contributions of of mobile pastoralists and nomadic peoples to the future of our world, such as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and the Dana Declaration on Mobile Peoples. It brought together scholars to critically interrogate discriminatory stereotypes propagated against nomadic peoples which have labeled them as inherently unethical, amoral, or uncivilized.
This call to action reinforces the Declaration on Cultural Diversity’s protection and respect for Cultural rights, diversity and pluralism, human rights, heritage and creativity. Keynote speeches set by the event’s theme were delivered by Professor David Sneath University from the University of Cambridge (Academic Council Member of IISNC), Professor Bumochir Dulam from the Office of the President of Mongolia (Chair of the Academic Council Member of IISNC) and Emeritus Professor Dawn Chatty from the University of Oxford (Academic Council Member of IISNC).
Discussions of the conference were divided into the following panels.
- Moral Philosophy
- Culture and Human Rights
- Intercultural Dialogue and Peace
- Intergenerational Learning and the Teaching of Morality
- Nomadic History and Culture – Ethical Considerations
- Moral Economy and the Ethics of Exchange
- Cultural Transformations
- Toward a new global ethics: contribution of nomadic civilizations. Perspectives from Indigenous Elders
- Representation and Political Construction
- Nomadic Peoples’ Values During Times of Stress
- Sea Nomads in SEA: Understanding Ethics and Cultural Relations
- Values and Identity: Sacred Landscapes
