World Decolonization Forum

It’s time to challenge the dominant narratives and listen to the silenced voices. We are rewriting the script. Are you ready to hear more than one story? The conversation begins soon. Stay tuned. decolonizationforum.org #worlddecolonizationforum

A conversation from #WDF2026 that lingers with us. Nadia Abu Zahra invites us to rethink learning as the polishing of inner gems, shaped not only by curriculum, but by family, community, and lived culture.

“Truth is not distilled from a single voice that legitimizes dominant power. It emerges from plural testimonies. Without acting simultaneously at the epistemic, institutional, and political levels, decolonization remains unfinished.” Esra Albayrak, Opening Remarks at #WDF2026

Two enriching days at World Decolonization Forum are behind us. Our deepest thanks to our speakers, our scientific committee, every participant, and our team that worked tirelessly behind the scenes at this meaningful forum in Istanbul. #WDF2026, More Than One Story.

Is it possible to decolonize cinema? “Decolonize Film Days”, organized as part of the World Decolonization Forum 2026, has launched at Atlas Cinema. Majid Majidi, Mehmet Bozdağ, and Faysal Soysal discuss the link between cinema, memory, and conscience as a field of testimony.

Whose memory? Whose story? Whose gaze? “Decolonizing the Screen” brought together Majid Majidi, Mehmet Bozdağ and Faysal Soysal to reflect on cinema, memory and representation at Decolonize Film Days. Film screenings continue on 14 May at Atlas Cinema. #DecolonizeFilmDays

Colonial regimes may have weakened, but coloniality still shapes today's world through power, language, culture & knowledge. The Istanbul Perspective calls for a world of plurality, justice & coexistence not new forms of domination. decolonizationforum.org #WDF2026

The world needs more than one story. This forum will continue as a living platform. Thank you for being with us at this beginning. #WDF2026

Two days. Dozens of voices. From decolonizing media to Palestine, from economic sovereignty to algorithmic domination, from Islamic law to public health, from colonial archives to the university as border regime and finally, to sport as a site of struggle. #WDF2026

Coloniality did not end with independence. It lives in knowledge systems, digital spaces, and economic structures. Selçuk Aydın, Head of the Scientific Committee at #WDF2026, on the Istanbul Perspective and the search for a world where no civilization is excluded.

Coloniality did not end with independence. It lives in knowledge systems, digital spaces and economic structures. Selçuk Aydın on the Istanbul Perspective and the search for a world where no civilization is excluded. #WDF2026

Fourteen academic paper sessions. Feminism, justice, methodology, media, archives, education, and the university itself as a site of colonial power. Scholars from across the world brought their research to #WDF2026.

Why is it crucial to have a decolonial perspective? Walter Mignolo responses. #WDF2026

Whose law governs the world and whose voices shaped it? Emre Öktem, Tullio Scovazzi, George Katrougalos, and Berdal Aral on the histories, hierarchies and futures of international law. Moderated by Alfredo Crosato Neumann. Plenary Session V at #WDF2026.

From epistemic dependency to economic sovereignty. Ebrahim Patel, Ann Pettifor, Adeel Malik, Mehmet Asutay, and Richard Werner on rethinking development models. Moderated by Sadık Ünay at the Opera Hall. #WDF2026

Who interprets history, who narrates the present, who imagines the future. It all matters. Ebrahim Patel on development, decolonization, and the difference between growth and change. #WDF2026

Who controls the algorithm controls the future. Ulises Ali Mejias, Ann Pettifor, Çetin Kaya Koç, Siba N'Zatioula Grovogui and Afua Hirsch on technocolonialism, knowledge and algorithmic domination. Moderated by Leon Moosavi. #WDF2026

Şener Aktürk, Muhammed Khalifa, and Sohaira Siddiqui on academic colonization, institutional change and Islamic law. Decolonial Voice VIII, Theatre Hall. #WDF2026

Health is not a universal concept. It is geopolitical. Fatoumata Hane on global health, power and the knowledge systems left out of the equation. Decolonial Voice VII at #WDF2026.

The soul itself must be decolonized. Ebrahim Moosa on ijtihad, independent judgment, and the ethics of thinking for yourself. #WDF2026

Development economics didn't exist under colonialism. The moment colonies became independent, the same powers handed them "the science." Richard Werner on economics as control, not liberation. #WDF2026