Libernium 2026: Northeast India at the Crossroad of Culture, Inclusion, and Sustainable Futures

Written By: Nihilaa V M

Edited By: Parinaaz Bains

Libernium 2026, an International Conference titled “Northeast India at the Crossroad: Culture, Inclusion and Sustainable Future,” was held on 20 and 21 January 2026 at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bannerghatta Road Campus by the Department of Liberal Arts in collaboration with Department of English and Cultural Studies, Psychology, Political Science, Economics and School of Business and Management. Funded by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), the conference brought together scholars, policymakers, activists, artists, and students to engage in a critical and interdisciplinary dialogue on the Northeast region of India.

Northeast India, comprising Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura, is a region marked by immense cultural diversity, ecological richness, and indigenous knowledge systems. Yet, despite its vibrant traditions, the region remains marginalised in mainstream national discourse due to geographical isolation, fragile infrastructure, and prolonged socio-political conflicts. Libernium 2026 sought to address this marginalisation by foregrounding indigenous voices and situating the region within broader debates on sustainability, inclusion, governance, and development.

The conference was conceptualised within the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with particular emphasis on inclusion, equity, resilience, peacebuilding, and partnerships. It also engaged with Northeast India’s strategic significance under India’s Act East Policy, highlighting the region’s potential for cultural diplomacy, sustainable trade, and cross-border cooperation.

Conference Objectives and Themes

Libernium 2026 aimed to deepen understanding of the linkages between cultural heritage, identity, and sustainable development in Northeast India. It sought to amplify indigenous narratives, critically examine media representations of the region, and assess the role of cross-border exchanges in peacebuilding and governance. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between academia, policymakers, and communities, the conference envisioned inclusive and resilient models of development rooted in cultural diversity.

The academic deliberations were organised around four key sub-themes:

1. Cultural Heritage and Identity, focusing on the preservation of indigenous traditions and ecological knowledge amid modernisation and globalisation.

2. Reducing Inequalities, addressing issues of media representation, gender, education, and sports, and the need to challenge stereotypes and structural marginalisation.

3. Peacebuilding and Governance, examining border dynamics, migration, militarisation, and the possibilities of community-led and culturally informed governance.

4. Green Connectivity, exploring sustainable tourism models, resilient infrastructure, innovation, and environmentally conscious development pathways.

Inaugural Session and Academic Engagements

The conference commenced with a vibrant inaugural session that blended academic formality with cultural expression, featuring choral performances by Northeast students and the BRC Choir team. The inaugural addresses were delivered by the conference conveners, university leadership, and the Chief Guest, Smt. Lalrinpuii, Hon’ble Minister for Health, Social Welfare and Tribal Affairs, Women and Child Development, Government of Mizoram.

Libernium 2026 hosted an eminent panel of speakers and experts, including Prof. Dolly Kikon, Ms Patricia Mukhim, Mr Sanjoy Hazarika, Prof. Joy Pachuau, Prof. Kham Khan Suan Hausing, Prof. L. Lam Khan Piang, Dr Anjan K. Behera, and filmmaker Prateek Prajosh. Panel discussions, expert talks and paper presentations facilitated rigorous academic exchange and critical engagement across disciplines.

A significant highlight of the conference was the panel discussion on Negotiating Identity, Development, and Sustainability, which brought together scholars and activists to examine the tensions and possibilities inherent in development discourses surrounding Northeast India, moderated by Dr Prerana Srimaal, HOD of the Department of Liberal Arts.

Cultural Showcase and Community Engagement

Beyond academic sessions, Libernium 2026 celebrated the cultural vibrancy of Northeast India through a rich array of performances, exhibitions, traditional games, and food festivals. Cultural showcases from Assam, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Tripura, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh transformed the campus into a space of lived cultural exchange, reinforcing the conference’s emphasis on culture as a cornerstone of sustainability.

Exhibition stalls featuring handlooms, handicrafts, and indigenous art forms further highlighted the region’s creative economies and community livelihoods, while student volunteers played a central role in organising and facilitating the event.

Way Forward

The conference concluded with discussions on the establishment of a Centre for Northeast Studies at CHRIST (Deemed to be University), envisioned as a collaborative platform for research, dialogue, and cultural preservation. Among the expected outcomes of Libernium 2026 are policy briefs, academic publications, an edited volume, and strengthened networks between scholars, practitioners, and communities.

Libernium 2026 successfully created a space where academic inquiry, cultural expression, and policy dialogue intersected, reaffirming the importance of inclusive, culturally grounded, and sustainable approaches to understanding Northeast India. The conference stands as a significant step toward re-centring the region within national and global conversations on development and justice.