At Baktún Pueblo Maya, we proudly celebrate that our colleagues Loida Briseño Mukul and Edgar Caamal have been chosen to represent the Mayan youth from the Yucatán Peninsula at the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) 2025 Global Conference, which will take place in Nairobi, Kenya from February 17 to 21.

This recognition is not only a personal achievement for Loida and Edgar, but also a reflection of the work, passion, and commitment of these youths to strengthen their identity, lead community processes, and make visible the realities of their people on international stages.

Both are graduates of our Cultural Mediators and Promoters program, an initiative that promotes biocultural leadership and the identity rooting of Mayan youth. Through their participation, they will bring the voice of the Yucatán Peninsula to a global dialogue that will address key issues such as territorial rights, cultural preservation, and access to resources. Their presence is a firm step toward the recognition of indigenous peoples as key actors in building a fairer and more sustainable future, representing the vision of our allies at IFIP.

The IFIP 2025 Global Conference will be a space for meeting, reflection, and alliances with international actors, philanthropic organizations, and decision-makers. In this forum, Loida and Edgar will share the cultural and community initiatives they participate in both at Baktún and in local universities and organizations, with the intention of rescuing, strengthening, and re-signifying Mayan culture, ensuring that their knowledge and worldview continue to be relevant and transcend generations.

At Baktún, we believe in the power of youth to build bridges between the past, present, and future. When young people value their roots and recognize their history, they can build a present based on their identity and project a sustainable and dignified future. Today we celebrate their participation and are filled with joy to see how Mayan youth raise their voices in the world.

Passing on Mayan culture to new generations is to preserve a legacy; it is to honor a worldview that gives meaning to the relationship with the world, with others, and with nature. In their sensitivities, language, values, and traditions lies a unique way of understanding life, where each custom and profound concept weaves a link with the past and projects an identity toward the future. Keeping this heritage alive is not just an act of memory, but a commitment to the transcendence of ancient knowledge that continues to illuminate our present.

Congratulations, Loida and Edgar! You are an example of enthusiasm, hard work, commitment, pride, and dignity for your communities and for the entire Yucatán Peninsula. Your journey is an inspiration, your voice is a force, and your struggle is hope.