Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor, December 1998

Contents IK Monitor 6(3) | IKDM Homepage | Suggestions to: ikdm@nuffic.nl | (c) copyright Nuffic-CIRAN and contributors 1999.

Editorial

A central portion of this issue of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor is devoted to reactions to the definition of indigenous knowledge proposed in the July 1998 editorial (see reactions). Preceding this discussion, you will find three main articles. The opening article takes us to New Zealand. Here the country's indigenous people, the Maori, are displaying a growing interest in the use of geographic information systems (GIS), in their battle to obtain legal recognition for their right to lands, estates, forests, fisheries and everything else they hold dear. The problem is how to formulate Maori values in a way that will make it possible to develop culturally appropriate GIS tools in support of Maori claims. Garth Harmsworth of Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd. presents experimental methods for developing such tools (see article).
The next article, which takes us to South Africa, also deals with values and perceptions. Jan de Graaff and Serge Cartier van Dissel recount a case study designed to identify differences in the perception of soil erosion between farmers and scientists. These can then usefully be incorporated into soil and water conservation projects right from the start (see article).
The third article is by Narayan P. Manandhar of Nepal. He describes the preparation of "gundruk", a non-salted fermented leafy green vegetable. If certain requirements are met, this traditional food may well offer opportunities for a sustainable rural industry (see article).
We would like to end this editorial with news of a recent development here at home. The editorial board of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor has not only been expanded but also has a new composition. We are very pleased to announce that in future the board will include members from Africa, Asia and Latin America, who will serve as regular contributors. As such, they will draw the attention of the editor and the rest of the board to what is going on in their part of the world, within the broad area of indigenous knowledge and sustainable development. The board's new composition is an expression of the philosophy underlying the Monitor, namely, that the publication should be primarily a product of the global South. One of the main aims of editorial policy is to increase the number of articles written by authors from Africa, Asia and Latin America.
We are very honoured that the following persons have accepted our invitation to join the board, and to share their expertise and professional networks with us:
- Dr Claude G. Mararike of Zimbabwe
- Dr Landon B. Myer of South Africa - Dr Consuelo Quiroz of Venezuela
- Dr Ning Wu of China
- Dr Mohamed I. Zuberi of Bangladesh.

We are still looking for a sixth new member from the global South, and would welcome any suggestions you might have. In addition to the six correspondents from the developing world, the board has three members representing the three centres that in 1992 signed the document leading to the creation of the Monitor. These are:
- Dr Norma Wolff, associate director of CIKARD
- Dr L. Jan Slikkerveer, director of LEAD
- Mr Guus W. von Liebenstein, director of CIRAN.

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