Overview
The 2025 Symposium, organized by the Maya Heritage Center, Kanché, FIDISS, and partner institutions, unites researchers, educators, and Maya communities under the theme “Kanan K’áaxo’on / We Are the Guardians of the Forest.” Through interactive sessions and field-based learning, participants explore how local leadership, sustainable archaeology, and intercultural education can drive social and environmental transformation in the Maya region.
Main Topics
🌿 Main Topics – Maya Heritage Symposium 2025
Kanan K’áaxo’on / We Are the Guardians of the Forest
The 7th Maya Heritage Symposium on Archaeology, Sustainable Development, and Heritage will explore ten interconnected themes that bridge ancestral wisdom, local innovation, and contemporary approaches to sustainability. Each topic will be addressed through presentations, community-led workshops, and collaborative dialogue among researchers, educators, and Maya leaders.
1. History and Ancestral Knowledge
Oral histories and community legends.
Traditional medicine and the use of sacred plants.
The Maya calendar and astronomical knowledge.
2. Agricultural Practices and Local Sustainability
The milpa system and biodiversity.
Community management of natural resources.
Adapting farming techniques to climate challenges.
3. Cultural Heritage and Conservation
Community archaeology and protection of sacred sites.
Traditional restoration and craftsmanship.
Participatory conservation of cultural heritage.
4. Education and Transmission of Maya Culture
Bilingual education in Maya and Spanish.
Intergenerational learning and mentorship.
Cultural identity and pride among youth.
5. Climate Change and Local Adaptation
Community observations of climate patterns.
Resilient practices in the face of droughts and hurricanes.
Biodiversity protection and ecosystem care.
6. Community Economy and Responsible Tourism
Sustainable and cultural tourism initiatives.
Local crafts, production, and fair trade.
Cooperative and solidarity-based economic models.
7. Gender and Community Equity
The role of women in cultural preservation.
Women’s empowerment and leadership initiatives.
Gender perspectives in local governance.
8. Community Health and Well-Being
Traditional medicine and holistic health.
Spiritual and emotional well-being practices.
Community responses to public health challenges.
9. Local Innovation and Appropriate Technologies
Integrating modern technologies in agriculture and conservation.
Renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Digital preservation of cultural memory.
10. Governance and Community Participation
Models of self-governance and collective decision-making.
Community participation in development projects.
Building partnerships that respect local autonomy.
Outcomes
Outcomes & Impact
Strengthened community leadership through hands-on training in heritage management, environmental protection, and sustainable livelihoods for leaders from over 17 Maya communities.
Development of community-based management tools that link archaeology, biodiversity, and local governance, especially for the Yalahau and Yum Balam regions.
Reinforced collaboration among universities, NGOs, and Maya community organizations—including KanchĂ©, FIDISS, RIPDS, XĂimbal Ka’ax, and CUPAIMA—creating a long-term alliance for sustainable cultural development.
Publication of symposium findings and community-led research in the Journal of Maya Heritage, ensuring open access to knowledge and methodologies that advance cultural preservation.
Greater inclusion of women and youth in planning, facilitation, and cultural exhibitions, strengthening intergenerational knowledge exchange and leadership within Maya communities.
Contribution to regional policy recommendations on sustainable tourism, risk management, and heritage protection in collaboration with Archaeologists Without Borders and local authorities in Quintana Roo and Yucatán.