20/08/2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Envisioning the Future of the Dayak Indigenous Community: From Local Identity to Global Civilization
Palangkaraya, Kalimantan, Indonesia – August 20, 2025 – The Borneo Dayak Forum International (BDF), under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan, proudly announces the International Seminar: Envisioning the Future of the Dayak Indigenous Community: From Local Identity to Global Civilization, to be held in conjunction with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2025 and Pumpung Hai Borneo (The Great Borneo’s Assembly) on August 21–23, 2025, in Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
This landmark event will unite the vibrant Dayak community—spanning over 750 indigenous groups across Kalimantan, Sarawak, Sabah, and Brunei—with global leaders, policymakers, academics, and civil society to chart a bold path forward. Anchored in the theme “From Local Identity to Global Civilization,” the seminar will harness the Dayak’s rich cultural heritage, resilient governance systems, and sustainable practices to shape a future that resonates on the world stage.
A Vision for Unity and Progress
The Dayak people, guardians of Borneo’s ancient forests and traditions, stand at a pivotal moment. Facing complex social, economic, and environmental challenges, they are poised to transform their local identity into a global force for cultural preservation, equitable development, and indigenous sovereignty. The seminar will serve as a dynamic platform for cross-border dialogue, fostering solidarity among Dayak communities and forging partnerships with governments, NGOs, and international organizations.
Key discussions will explore:
- Socio-Economic and Political Empowerment: Navigating industrialization and governance diversity to secure Dayak autonomy and land rights.
- Tumbang Anoi as a Global Cultural Hub: Elevating this historic site as a beacon of Dayak unity and heritage, supported by UNESCO and ASEAN.
- Revitalization of Adat Law: Strengthening Mahkamah Adat as a cornerstone of justice, integrated with national and international frameworks.
- Digital Transformation: Leveraging AI to preserve Dayak languages and traditions while empowering youth through inclusive education.
- Sustainable Development: Ensuring infrastructure projects like the Trans-Kalimantan Railway respect Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).
- Empowering Dayak Women: Amplifying women’s roles as cultural and economic leaders in global forums.
A Call to Global Solidarity
Dr. Jeffrey G. Kitingan, a steadfast advocate for indigenous rights, will deliver a keynote address calling for a Deklarasi Pumpung Hai Borneo 2025—a visionary roadmap to secure non-member observer status for the Dayak at the UN General Assembly, formalize adat governance, and establish Tumbang Anoi as a global cultural hub. “Our heritage is not just a legacy of the past; it is a blueprint for a sustainable, inclusive future,” said Dr. Kitingan. “Together, we will elevate the Dayak voice from Borneo’s heartlands to the global stage, forging a civilization that honors our roots and embraces the world.”
Event Details
Date: August 21–23, 2025
Venue: Palangkaraya, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Participants: Adat leaders, government officials, academics, NGOs, CSOs, youth, and international development partners
Organizers: A collaborative effort by the Central Kalimantan Provincial Government, Borneo Dayak Forum (BDF), Majelis Adat Dayak Nasional (MADN), Dewan Adat Dayak (DAD), and Dayak organizations (BATAMAD, FORDAYAK, GERDAYAK, MORENG, PDKB, LPD, P2D), with the Institute Dayakologi.
Key Outcomes: Strategic recommendations, a cross-border action plan, a collaborative network, and the publication of the Prosiding Seminar and Deklarasi Pumpung Hai Borneo 2025.
Join the Movement
The seminar will galvanize multi-stakeholder partnerships, leveraging ASEAN, UN, and government support to fund initiatives like digital cultural archives, adat law formalization, and youth leadership programs. By blending tradition with innovation, the Dayak community will redefine its role in global civilization, ensuring a legacy of resilience, unity, and sustainability.
Let us unite in Palangkaraya to envision a future where the Dayak people thrive as global stewards of culture, justice, and sustainability.
ENDS
About BDF: The champions the rights, culture, and sustainable development of over 750 Dayak indigenous groups across Borneo. With a robust governance structure, including the Mahkamah Adat and a three-branch system, BDF advocates for Dayak sovereignty on multilateral platforms like the UN and ASEAN.
