As the outcome of the WAU 2024 Congress in Johannesburg, 4 motions were submitted to the IUAES Executive Committee. IUAES Executive Committee, following the Organisational Rules and Guidelines, sent out an invitation to online voting on those motions to all 803 paid-up members of IUAES. The voting was open from the 23rd of December 2024 to the 6th of January 2025. Below we present the report on the voting results.

Voting Results

1. Motion concerning the genocide in Palestine and war of aggression in Lebanon committed by Israel; and towards supporting scholars affected by repression; and commitment towards the reconstruction of the destroyed intellectual infrastructure in Palestine

1. • Yes: 80% (109 votes)
   • No: 7% (10 votes)
   • Abstain: 7% (10 votes) 
     
     
2. Motion on the support for public policies promoting employment for Hijra, Kothi, Travesti, and other Trans-queer people worldwide
   • Yes: 81% (107 votes)
   • No: 5% (7 votes)
   • Abstain: 11% (15 votes) 
     
     
3. Motion on indigenous knowledge
   • Yes: 69% (93 votes)
   • No: 9% (12 votes)
   • Abstain: 18% (24 votes) 
     
     
4. Proposal to Establish a WAU Taskforce on Legal Implications of Ethnographic Object Repatriation
   • Yes: 84% (112 votes)
   • No: 1% (1 vote)
   • Abstain: 11% (15 votes)

Comments Summary (the voters could provide their comments on each motion):

1. Motion Concerning the Genocide in Palestine and War of Aggression in Lebanon Committed by Israel:
   

   Comments reflected a wide spectrum of perspectives. Supporters found the motion timely and necessary, while critics raised concerns about bias, lack of balanced representation, and factual inaccuracies. Some expressed reservations about IUAES engaging in such debates.
   
   

2. Motion on the Support for Public Policies Promoting Employment for Hijra, Kothi, Travesti, and other Trans-queer People Worldwide:
   
   Most comments appreciated the focus on an important trans issue. However, a few highlighted concerns about the clarity of the wording and the emphasis on gender-related topics.
   
   
3. Motion on Indigenous Knowledge:
   

   Feedback highlighted philosophical and practical concerns, such as the feasibility of the proposed ideas, unclear text, and the need for more deliberation. Some comments questioned the implications for researchers’ roles and perspectives.
   
   

4. Proposal to Establish a WAU Taskforce on Legal Implications of Ethnographic Object Repatriation:
   

   Supportive comments emphasized the relevance of the task force but raised questions about cost estimates, implementation logistics, and the necessity of General Assembly approval for such an initiative. A few also suggested digital repatriation as an alternative.