Education on indigenous terms

SAIH advocates for indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities to have equal access to quality and relevant education.

Across the globe, indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities are fighting to preserve their territories, languages, cultures, and traditional ways of life. Centuries of colonization, state assimilation policies, and large-scale industrial projects have had severe consequences for their lives and development. Too many languages and cultures have already been extinguished or are now at risk of being lost.

Historically, education has been a central tool to weaken and suppress minorities, but education can also be part of the solution. Education can contribute to realizing the right to self-determination for indigenous peoples and ethnic minorities, counteract discrimination, and preserve and develop their culture.

SAIH aims to ensure that everyone has access to inclusive and quality higher education. Therefore, we work both to improve access to traditional higher education institutions as well as support their right to run their own educational institutions, with curricula, teaching methods, and research tailored to local needs.