Tabe maray! Mararua! Sral! Kia ora! Aloha! Bula vinaka! Tansi! ᐊᓂᓂ (Aaniin)! Yá’át’ééh!
Welcome to the Center for International Indigenous Affairs at National Dong Hwa University.
In this rapidly changing world, Indigenous peoples are no longer merely subjects of research, observation, or discussion. Rather, Indigenous peoples are active participants and leaders in international affairs, knowledge production, cultural revitalization, and the pursuit of sustainable futures. Since its establishment in 2014, the Center for International Indigenous Affairs has sought to create an Indigenous-centered platform that connects Taiwan with Indigenous communities, institutions, and movements across the world.
The Indigenous peoples of Taiwan carry rich and diverse languages, cultures, histories, and systems of governance. Over time, Indigenous communities have also developed invaluable experiences and perspectives in the areas of democracy, human rights, education, environmental sustainability, and transitional justice. We believe these experiences are not only significant within Taiwan, but also contribute meaningfully to global Indigenous dialogues and collective responses to contemporary challenges.
For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples have maintained profound and enduring relationships with lands, oceans, forests, and ancestral knowledge systems. These ways of knowing are not only cultural inheritances, but also living philosophies that provide critical guidance in addressing climate change, ecological crises, and sustainable development. In the pursuit of historical justice and sustainable futures, Indigenous worldviews and lived practices must be recognized as vital contributions to our shared global future.
The Center for International Indigenous Affairs is dedicated to advancing international academic collaboration, Indigenous diplomacy, youth empowerment, international exchange, policy dialogue, and transnational Indigenous networks. We are also deeply committed to discussions surrounding Indigenous educational sovereignty, knowledge sovereignty, and data sovereignty. We support the rights of Indigenous peoples to define education, research, and knowledge production from Indigenous perspectives, while affirming Indigenous authority over cultural heritage, languages, traditional knowledge, and data governance.
We believe that meaningful international engagement is not simply about crossing geographical borders, but about fostering mutual respect among diverse knowledge systems and value frameworks. Accordingly, the Center continues to strengthen partnerships with universities, tribal communities, research institutions, and Indigenous organizations around the world in order to advance Indigenous-centered education, research, and international advocacy.
We envision the Center not only as a platform for international exchange, but also as a space where Indigenous voices are heard, where intercultural understanding is nurtured, and where younger generations are empowered to engage confidently with the world. Through education, research, and practice, we seek to promote international relationships grounded in respect, diversity, equity, and sustainability, while ensuring that Indigenous wisdom and values remain central to conversations about the future of humanity.
Looking ahead, the Center for International Indigenous Affairs will continue upholding the principles of Indigenous self-determination, international collaboration, the strength of culture and knowledge, and sustainability for future generations. We warmly invite friends and partners from different nations, communities, and disciplines to join us on this journey across islands and oceans as we work together to shape new pathways for Indigenous international engagement.
Akureya imhuan!