Welcome Message

Dear Esteemed Delegates,
On behalf of the Organising Committee of the World Applied Anthropology Congress 2026 (WAAC-2026), it is with great pleasure and deep appreciation that we welcome you to this distinguished global gathering.

WAAC-2026 marks the Second Biennial Flagship Event of the Anthropological Association for Humankind (AAfH)—a growing movement dedicated to advancing applied anthropology as a force for human flourishing and social transformation.

year’s theme, “Interwoven Worlds – Anthropological Engagement with the Global and Local Challenges of Climate Change and Migration,” invites us to confront two of the most defining challenges of our time. As the world faces mounting environmental disruptions and intensifying patterns of migration, anthropology offers an essential, human-centered lens—rooted in culture, ethics, and lived experience—to shape sustainable, just, and inclusive responses.

WAAC-2026 is not merely a conference—it is a space for co-learning, co-creation, and collective action. We are honored to host a rich and diverse community of ethnographers, Indigenous leaders, applied anthropologists, researchers, scientists, environmentalists, materiologists, ecologists, climate activists, policymakers, NGOs, engineers, technologists, and social scientists. Together, we aim to share insights, elevate underrepresented voices, and shape solutions that transcend disciplines and borders.

This Congress is committed to generating tangible, lasting outcomes: from community toolkits and policy briefs, to collaborative research projects and shared declarations. More than that, WAAC-2026 aspires to build a global, enduring network of engaged scholars and practitioners, united in their pursuit of ethical, impactful responses to the interwoven crises of our age.

We warmly invite you to participate with purpose—through presentations, workshops, dialogues, and informal exchanges—and to help shape the future of applied anthropology as a vital tool for change.

May WAAC-2026 be intellectually rich, socially engaging, and personally inspiring.

Welcome to the Congress. Welcome to the interwoven worlds of WAAC-2026.

With warmest regards

Prof. N. K. Ambasht

Honorary Convenor

Prof. V. Narayana Reddy

Convenor

Dr. Pedarattaiah Gadde

Convenor

Dr. Ananda Gandikota

Co-Convenor

Prof. Bartholomew C. Dean

Co-Convenor

Prof. Barnabas Danborno

Co-Convenor