General conferences in Naga society – held at the village, range, or tribe level – have long been an integral part of the cultural and social fabric. These gatherings are often hailed as platforms for unity, progress, and the resolution of societal issues.
However, it is time to ask an uncomfortable but necessary question: where are the tangible results of these conferences? Year after year, these meetings consume significant resources, time, and energy, yet the outcomes often feel nebulous.
Lofty resolutions are made, but their implementation and impact remain largely invisible. If these conferences truly deliver on their promises of societal progress, then where is the proof of their effectiveness? One of the core issues lies in the lack of follow-up mechanisms.
Resolutions passed during conferences often fade into oblivion without proper monitoring or accountability. The benefits, if any, are rarely quantified or documented. Moreover, the excessive focus on protocol, feasting, and ceremony sometimes overshadows the substantive discussions these gatherings are meant to facilitate. This results in a disconnect between the goals of the conferences and the actual changes they bring about.
This does not mean that general conferences should be abandoned altogether. They serve as important opportunities for dialogue, cultural preservation, and social bonding. However, a serious rethink is needed regarding their significance, necessity, and execution.
For instance, conferences could adopt a more focused agenda with clear, actionable goals. Results should be tracked, and follow-up meetings should assess the progress of resolutions.
Thematic speakers often deliver insightful speeches on contemporary issues like youth unemployment, education, and economic development.
However, the impact of these speeches on society appears limited. The discussions may enlighten attendees momentarily, but the issues persist, seemingly untouched, until the next conference. To truly fulfill their potential, conferences must evolve from ceremonial events to dynamic platforms for change. They must emphasize practical solutions and sustained efforts to address the issues discussed.
Only by evolving in this way can general conferences truly justify their place in Naga society and deliver on their promise to advance the collective good.
Ultimately, the success of these conferences should be measured not by the grandeur of the event or the eloquence of speeches but by the tangible improvements they bring to society.