IK Monitor Editorial (8-3)

Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor, November 2000

Contents IK Monitor (8-3) | IKDM Homepage | Suggestions to: ikdm@nuffic.nl | © copyright Nuffic-CIRAN and contributors 2000.

Editorial

Just before the copy for this issue of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor was to go to the printer, an interesting call came in. Although it was long past the deadline, in this case we were happy to make an exception. In 2001 the University of North-West in Mafikeng, South Africa, is to introduce a new interdisciplinary undergraduate and postgraduate degree programme in indigenous knowledge systems. This programme has been formally accredited by the South African government. For purposes of human resource capacity-building in teaching and research, the university is now interested in obtaining volunteer teaching assistance.(Further information)

This is only one example of the new initiatives being developed in the field of indigenous knowledge systems in which - and this is an important point - we see a direct link to formal education and research. The broader field of indigenous knowledge systems and practices (IKSP) is also a hive of activity. In Africa, Asia and Latin America fieldworkers and researchers are teaming up with local communities to chart their IKSP, examine them in terms of sustainability, and assess possibilities for improvement. They are increasingly making use of local or indigenous knowledge, as well as science and other knowledge systems. This is an example of 'the best of both worlds', for the benefit of individuals in communities all over the world. More and more, the utilization of all these resources is governed by international and national policy, and this has already resulted in intriguing new initiatives. In December 1999, for example, the Ugandan goverment formulated a National Strategy and Frame-work of Action for the sustainable application of indigenous knowledge. This has created the necessary conditions for such successful pilots as the Nakaseke Community Telecentre Project (see under CIRAN).

The results of all these initiatives are reflected in each issue of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor. But the magazine is not able to publish all the research information contained in the articles, papers and communications which are sent to us. There is, of course, a certain selection by means of the peer review process, but this still leaves a great deal of interesting information, while in each issue there is room for only three to five full-length articles. This time we have attempted to solve the problem by reserving extra space for research communications. This makes it possible to deal with more topics - 'in a nutshell', as it were - than can be done in the usual articles. This issue contains a grand total of seven communications, which has enabled us to publish more of the material which we had on hand. (Please continue to send us your information and contributions!)

This means that the present issue contains only two regular, full-length articles. The first article, by Louis C. Forline, describes and analyzes the use of the babassu palm among the Guajá of Brazil. Not only does the tribe make use of many different parts of the palm, it manages the trees in a sustainable manner. Indeed, their practices may serve as a model within rural development.

The second article was written by Mansoor Shahvali, Houshang Moinizadeh, and Mohammad Amiri Ardekani, who report on their research into the poultry management practices of local women in three provinces in the southwest of Iran. It documents why people keep poultry and what breeds are raised, and provides detailed information on the methods of poultry-keeping in rural areas of Iran. The findings will be used to adapt development strategies to the needs and knowledge of these women.