CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

From Struggles to Solidarity: Interconnected Movements for People’s Sovereignty

December 10–12, 2026

Universitas Katolik Parahyangan, Bandung, Indonesia

 

Background

Systems of governance and development intended to organise societies, protect citizens, and promote well-being are increasingly causing social, political, economic, and ecological instability. Vulnerable communities are often the most affected. The erosion of the social contract leads to widening inequality, exclusion, and the digital divide, marginalising communities. Authoritarianism, corruption, and digital surveillance make democratic participation difficult and risky. Economic systems prioritising GDP growth and profit undermine community well-being. Ecological degradation and climate injustice create new vulnerabilities, transforming environmental crises into humanitarian disasters.

Indigenous and local communities have developed diverse resistance, resilience, and survival strategies. However, many initiatives remain fragmented due to geographic barriers, unequal power relations, corporate strategies of division, and limited connections between grassroots CBMs and CSOs.

The 8th International Conference on Indigenous Religions (ICIR) aims to create a space for scholars, indigenous communities, activists, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to share experiences, build connections, and explore pathways from local struggles to broader movements for People’s Sovereignty.

 

Conference Focus

The conference invites critical reflection on how diverse communities can move beyond isolated forms of resistance toward interconnected movements that strengthen people’s capacity to shape the social, political, economic, and ecological conditions that affect their lives.

The conference particularly encourages discussion of three interconnected processes:

1. Horizontal Coalescing: Building networks among indigenous and local communities and movements to exchange knowledge, strengthen solidarity, share resources, and develop collective voices.
2. Vertical Consolidation: Connecting grassroots movements with civil society organizations, legal institutions, advocacy networks, and policy-making processes to strengthen their capacity to influence public policy.
3. Structural Transformation: Moving from fragmented “islands of resistance” toward interconnected movements capable of addressing structural inequalities and engaging with national, regional, and global challenges.

 

Call for Abstracts

The 8th ICIR invites abstracts for papers, presentations, and community-based contributions that critically examine indigenous and local struggles, movements, knowledge systems, and pathways toward People’s Sovereignty.

We particularly welcome contributions that connect academic research with the lived experiences, knowledge, and strategies of indigenous and local communities. Submissions may be theoretical, empirical, methodological, reflective, or practice-based, and interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches are strongly encouraged.

 

Suggested Themes:

Contributions may address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

1. Indigenous and Local Strategies for People’s Sovereignty: Building Intergenerational Solidarity and Interconnected movements for People’s Sovereignty across generations and boundaries.
2. Safe Democratic Participation in Authoritarian and Militarized Contexts: Strategies for protecting civic space and democratic engagement
3. From Micro-Resistance to Policy Change: Experiences and case studies of successful vertical consolidation between community-based movements and civil society organizations
4. Ecocentric Well-Being, Energy (transition) Justice, and Extractive Development: Rethinking development beyond extractive and GDP-centered models, while exploring indigenous perspectives and practices for ecological, environmental, and energy justice.
5. Food, Land, and Water Sovereignty: Community rights, traditional knowledge, and sustainable resource governance
6. Intersectionality and Human Rights Movements: Restoring the dignity and rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities
7. Human Flourishing and Bodies at the Margins: gender, children, disability, and Indigenous and local perspectives on well-being, dignity, justice, and a meaningful life
8. Dismantling the Digital Divide: Reclaiming social connection, participation, and the social fabric in an era of digitized governance

 

We welcome submissions from:

Scholars and researchers from diverse academic disciplines

Indigenous and local community representatives

Activists and movement organizers

Civil society organizations and human rights advocates

Religious and cultural leaders

Students

Practitioners and professionals working with vulnerable groups

 

Abstract Submission

Abstracts should clearly present the title, research or presentation question, main argument or focus, methodology or approach (where applicable), and key findings, insights, or expected contribution.

Abstract length: 150-250 words

Keywords: 3–5 keywords

Bibliography: 10 projected references

Language: English/Indonesian

Please submit your abstract through this link https://s.id/ICIR-UNPAR

 

Important dates:

1 Oktober 2026        : Deadline for abstract submissions

16 October 2026      : Notification of Abstract Acceptance

23 Oktober 2026      : Confirmation of Attendance (offline/online)

 

Expected Contributions

The conference aims not only to facilitate academic exchange but also to contribute to the consolidation of movements and networks for People’s Sovereignty. The outcomes of the conference are expected to include:

1. An Agenda for People’s Sovereignty: A collaborative roadmap identifying shared priorities and possible pathways for collective action.
2. A Strategic Consolidation Network: An inter-community platform for knowledge, experience, solidarity, and resource sharing.
3. Published Proceedings: Transdisciplinary contributions documenting indigenous and local resistance, movement-building, ecological justice, and restorative approaches to economy and well-being.

 

Join the Conversation

The 8th ICIR invites us to move beyond understanding struggles as isolated experiences and to ask how these struggles can become interconnected movements for justice, dignity, ecological sustainability, and People’s Sovereignty.

We invite you to bring your research, community knowledge, lived experience, movement practices, and critical reflections to Bandung and contribute to building connections between local struggles and broader movements for transformative change.

 

CONFERENCE ABSTRACT TEMPLATE

The 8th International Conference on Indigenous Religions (ICIR) and Consolidation

“From Struggles to Solidarity: Interconnected Movements for People’s Sovereignty”

December 10–12, 2026 | Universitas Parahyangan, Bandung, Indonesia

1. Title of the Paper (a clear and concise title).
2. Author(s)

Name:

Institution/Community Affiliation:

Country:

Email:

3. Conference Theme

Please indicate the relevant conference theme:

Theme No.:

Theme Title:

4. Abstract (150-250words)

The abstract should briefly present:

1. The background and context of the topic
2. The main research question, issue, or problem
3. The theoretical or conceptual approach, where relevant AND/OR the methodology or sources, where applicable
4. The main findings, arguments, or insights
5. The contribution of the paper to the conference theme and the broader discussion of People’s Sovereignty

Sample of abstract

(1) Across Indonesia, indigenous and local communities face increasing pressures from mining, plantations, infrastructure development, and energy projects that threaten access to land, forests, and water. Although communities have developed diverse forms of resistance rooted in customary law, indigenous knowledge, spiritual traditions, and collective action, their struggles are often treated as isolated local conflicts. (2) This paper examines how local resistance can develop into interconnected movements capable of influencing public debate and policy processes. (3) Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, this paper explores how ecological knowledge, customary institutions, and spiritual relationships with territory provide foundations for collective action. (4) It argues that indigenous resistance is not simply opposition to development but an effort to defend alternative understandings of well-being, sovereignty, and human–more-than-human relationships. (5) The paper further examines networks linking community movements with civil society organizations, environmental groups, and legal advocates. Such connections can strengthen collective capacity and advance land, water, and ecological sovereignty while promoting more ecocentric and restorative approaches to development.

5. Keywords: (Please provide 3–5 keywords).
6. Expected Bibliography

Please provide at least 10 relevant references that inform your paper. References should demonstrate engagement with relevant academic literature, community-based knowledge, policy documents, or other credible sources related to the proposed topic.

Bibliography:

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book/article. Publisher/Journal.

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book/article. Publisher/Journal.

Author, A. A. (Year). Title of book/article. Publisher/Journal.

 

Recommended citation style: APA 7th Edition.