Youth on the Move

IIAS is one of the most significant Asian Studies Institutions in the Netherlands, renowned for its ongoing commitment to decolonizing perspectives and rooting Asian research in both local and global contexts. Humanities Across Borders (HAB) within IIAS, has contributed to making dialogue scholars-administrators-practitioners from different continents, focusing on diverse, unexpected, oftentimes transgressive strategies of knowledge production and exchange. The team of 'Youth on the Move' is truly honored to have had the opportunity to collaborate with HAB-IIAS on multiple occasions. Without their important work and firm support, many of our initiatives would not have been possible.

'Youth on the Move' is an interdisciplinary group of scholars based in Beijing, Shanghai and Mumbai with extending networks with institutions from across Asia-Africa, including Lagos, Surabaya, Pondicherry, Johannesburg, Nairobi and others. The growth of such a network has been possible with the continued support from IIAS-HAB networks. Our first collaboration happened over the "Youth Cartographies" workshop in India, co-hosted by the HAB-IIAS,  and the French Institute in Pondicherry. It brought together urban practitioners and scholars in South Asia working on geographies of young people’s aspirations and anxieties. Through the intellectual and financial support of IIAS, two out of the three members of our group were able to participate in this workshop and extend shared learning into the ICAS 13 Conference held in Surabaya in 2024. (see: https://www.asiaafricayouth.com/post/youth-cartographies-a-methodologies-workshop---hab-blogpost)

Our second engagement featured a presentation and dialogue by one of our team members, Dr. Min Tang, with two colleagues—one from Indonesia and one from Mexico—in the “Humanities Across Borders Conversation Series.” The event was attended by 300 online audience members and included a profound discussion on what mapping means through the eyes of an urban researcher, a historical geographer, and a community activist.

A third, pivotal collaboration was at ICAS 13, organized by IIAS in Surabaya, Indonesia, in August 2024. Thanks to the open-minded and inclusive vision of the IIAS conference organizers, as well as the unique "confest" format, we were able not only to host an academic roundtable but also to curate The Waiting Room exhibition. Here again, IIAS provided special funding for inviting a Nigerian artist for cultural exchange, which stands as one of the rare and commendable examples of promoting artistic collaborations from the Global South. Through the conference and the exhibition, we have gained a deep, tangible understanding of the local social, political, and cultural landscape and engaged in meaningful interactions with local communities. The exhibition was the result of a truly collaborative effort between scholars, artists, and students from around the world and those in Indonesia, fostering a genuine exchange of knowledge between academia and the local community. 

(see: https://www.asiaafricayouth.com/)

Looking ahead to the Dakar conference in June 2025, IIAS has boldly identified the theme of the Confest event as "Africa-Asia, A New Axis of Knowledge." Their vision transcends the traditional boundaries of Asian studies, recognizing the intricate historical and contemporary connections between Asia and Africa—connections that are crucial to understanding the geopolitics of today and the future of our world. As Youth on the Move, we are fully committed to supporting this vital initiative.

The colleagues at IIAS are not only visionary in their academic approach but also meticulous in their support for scholars and artists from Asia and Africa. We are all aware of the significant challenges faced by scholars and artists from the Global South in an increasingly globalized world, and the dedication of the IIAS team has laid a firm foundation for breaking down the barriers that impede such mobility. In an era when many academic institutions claim to be decolonizing, it is this often-overlooked but essential work that truly drives change.

From the perspective of ‘Youth on the Move’, we wholeheartedly recognize and appreciate the work of IIAS. We stand in full support of their efforts, their work is not merely academic—it is a genuine embodiment of solidarity, global support, and the ongoing struggle for a more inclusive and equitable scholarly community.

Youth on the Move Team

Ying Cheng, Peking University
Min Tang, Tongji University
Anuj Daga, University of Mumbai

https://www.asiaafricayouth.com/