The four-day 3rd International Indigenous Language Journalism Conference-2026 began in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu on Sunday, bringing together journalists, media professionals and researchers involved in indigenous language-based journalism from around 30 countries, including Bangladesh.
The conference, which will continue until August 12, is being held under the theme, “Indigenous Language Journalism for Cultural Diversity, Climate Justice and Inclusive Democracy,” said a media statement.
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Ten distinguished Bangladeshi journalists are participating in the conference.
The Bangladesh delegation is being led by Shiabur Rahman, General Secretary of the SAARC Journalists Forum (SJF) Bangladesh Chapter and Head of Online and Multimedia at The Financial. Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Secretary General of the SJF Central Committee and Senior Correspondent of The Bangladesh Post, is also accompanying the 10-member Bangladesh Chapter delegation.
The conference is organised by the Federation of Nepalese Indigenous Nationalities Journalists (FONIJ) with overall cooperation from the SAARC Journalists Forum (SJF).
During the four-day conference, participants will discuss the current state, key challenges and future course of indigenous language journalism in the global context.
Panel discussions will be held and research papers and working papers will be presented, with experts from Nepal and other countries taking part in the sessions.
A colourful cultural procession featuring representatives from participating countries will also be organised as part of the conference.
The organisers have also arranged visits to historical and tourist sites in Nepal and initiatives to introduce the guests to local traditional foods.
The conference aims to enhance professionalism in indigenous language journalism, establish its importance in government policies and open new avenues for preserving languages, scripts, cultures and traditions worldwide.