Tapping the Untapped: Valorizing Indigenous Knowledge Systems to Meet Un Sustainable Development Goals
- 13h00 -13h05 – Welcome and opening remarks (5 mins)- Convenor, Prof Stephen Amoo, Agricultural Research Council, South Africa
- 13h05 – 13h15: Regulatory framework and innovation enabling indigenous knowledge systems valorization: The South Africa experience – Dr Aunkh Chabalala, Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa
- 13h15 – 13h25: Application of IKS in cosmeceutical product development in a climate changing world – Prof Namrita Lall, University of Pretoria
- 13h25 – 13h35: Indigenous food systems – Dr John de la Parra, The Rockefeller Foundation, USA · 13h35 – 13h45: IKS interface with ‘One Health’ – Prof Motlalepula Matsabisa, University of the Free State, South Africa
- 13h45 – 13h55: Traditional knowledge and discovery of novel natural remedies – Dr Fabien Schultz, Germany
- 13h55 – 14h05: Harnessing IKS to mitigate climate change effects – Prof Alexandre Antonelli, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK
- 14h05 – 14h15: Q&A discussion
- 14h15 – 14h45: Panel discussion – Regional perspective on climate change, indigenous people, indigenous knowledge systems and modern science
- Moderator: Dr Temitope O. Sogbanmu, University of Lagos, Nigeria
- Panelists: Prof Lahcen El Youssfi, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco; Fridah D. Obare, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya; Dr Anywar Godwin, Makerere University, Uganda.
- 14h45 – 14h55: Summary – Dr Makhotso Lekhooa, North-West University, South Africa · 14h55 – 15h00: Closing remarks – Prof Stephen Amoo
Abstract
Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) broadly refer to the knowledge and practices of indigenous people developed and refined through generations through interactions with their environment. It traverses different spheres of activities connecting humans to land and environment. In agriculture, IKS provide invaluable insights into weather patterns, crop and livestock management strategies that are inherently sustainable, and techniques to preserve harvests, thereby ensuring environmental sustainability, in alignment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15. IKS also plays a significant role in ensuring a sustainable food system (SDG 2), and good health (SDG 3). While current farming systems have only focused on selected few crops, leaving an abundance of genetic resources neglected/underutilized, indigenous food systems consist of different locally grown crops and wild edible foods that are well adapted to climate variability, nutritious and can ensure sustainable food systems while broadening the food base. Furthermore, indigenous people are often knowledgeable about different indigenous foods and plants that contribute not only to physical but also mental, spiritual, and social health. Hence, tapping into IKS and partnering with indigenous communities offer an effective approach to achieve the UN SDGs in a more inclusive and sustainable manner. The integration of IKS into modern agricultural and health systems offers a pathway to address the pressing challenges of sustainability, resilience, and the well-being of communities, with untapped potential to contribute towards attaining several UN SDGs such as no poverty (#1), zero hunger (#2), good health and well-being (#3), climate action (#13), life on land (#15), and partnership for the goals (#17).
This session will highlight some of the several untapped opportunities rooted in IKS that can be sustainably exploited to address current global challenges of climate change, one health, food security, amongst others. It will highlight best practices in valorizing IKS for the benefits of the present and future generations. The speakers will highlight needed actions and key interventions to accelerate the integration of modern science and indigenous knowledge as an effective tool for global agenda setting and sustainable solutions.
Speakers
Aunkh Chabalala, Department of Science and Innovation, South Africa
Namrita Lall, University of Pretoria
John de la Parra, The Rockefeller Foundation, USA Motlalepula Matsabisa, University of the Free State, South Africa
Fabien Schultz, Germany Alexandre Antonelli, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London
Panelists:
Temitope O. Sogbanmu, University of Lagos, Nigeria (Moderator)
Lahcen El Youssfi, Ibn Tofail University, Morocco
Fridah D. Obare, Kenya Wildlife Service, Nairobi, Kenya
Anywar Godwin, Makerere University, Uganda
Makhotso Lekhooa, North-West University, South Africa