NATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS IN SOUTH AFRICA

"Towards the Integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems into the National Innovation System"

VENUE: University of the North West

DATE: 21-23 September 1998

ORGANISED BY: National Steering Committee on Indigenous Knowledge Systems in South Africa

HOSTED BY: University of the North West

CONTACT: Dr. Lynda Gilfillan
IKS Programme Coordinator
E577 National Assembly
P O Box 15
Cape Town
Tel: (021) 403-3252
Fax: (021) 403-2649/2073

BACKGROUND

The Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) programme was initiated from within Parliament by the Portfolio Committee on Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, as a critical component in the restructuring and democratisation of South Africa's science and technology system.

Deputy President Thabo Mbeki speaks often about African Renaissance, where the thoughts, technologies, and activities that are the unique creation of African hands and minds will be identified.

The goal of the IKS programme is to unearth, promote and protect the African heritage -- to shine a light on that which has in the past been dismissed and denied. Our country needs to develop an indigenous knowledge system which supports local economic development and enhances its rich cultural, technological, artistic, linguistic and traditional healing heritage.

The National Indigenous Technology Steering Committee comprises representatives of science councils such as the Medical Research Council (MRC), Agricultural Research Council (ARC), Foundation for Research and Development (FRD), Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and Siemens from the private sector. The Committee met on 11 February 1998, and considered reports from the science councils on their involvement in IKS activities. It was found that there is little sharing of information and collaboration amongst researchers involved in similar types of activities within IKS. For example, the FRD is funding research on traditional plants; the MRC works with traditional doctors, while the CSIR has conducted an audit of IKS, and ARC and CSIR do research on traditional foods. In addition, where there has been collaboration, there is no documentation available for reference by other researchers.

This pointed towards the need for a national workshop, with the theme "Towards Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into the National System of Innovation".

Key roleplayers within the public, parastatal and higher education sector have deployed resources for the workshop; they include the departments of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, Trade and Industry, science councils and companies such as Siemens and ISCOR. More than 200 participants are expected.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND

1. Indigenous Knowledge Systems practitioners;
2. Traditional leaders;
3. Universities;
4. Science councils;
5. Businesses;
6. National and Provincial Departments;
7. Members of National and Provincial legislatures;
8. Representatives from SADCC.

The Workshop

The objectives of such a workshop would be to:

• Report on all research activities in IKS;
  
  
• Foster collaboration and information sharing between researchers and institutions involved in IKS research;
  
  
• Discuss the protection of intellectual property relating to IKS;
  
  
• Discuss the role and involvement of indigenous technologists and the communities wherein they are located;
  
  
• Initiate discussions on possible inclusion and implications thereof in curricula at all levels of schooling;
  
  
• Look towards a Regional conference.
  
  
  

The expected outcomes for the workshop would be:

• Topography of research on IKS in South Africa;
  
  
• Analysis of indigenous technologies which have business potential;
  
  
• Outline of important policy and legal implications for IKS;
  
  
• Outline of a programme for a Regional conference on IKS;
  
  
• Stakeholder consensus on IKS.
  
  
  

THEMES AND SUBTHEMES

The theme of the workshop is:

"Towards Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into the National System of Innovation".

The subthemes are:

1. The Topography of Research on IKS in South Africa.

1.1 Institutions who conduct research on IKS.

1.1.1 Declared and undeclared interests of researchers on IKS

1.2 A critique of research on IKS.

1.3 Research as a strategic partnership

1.4 Some positive outcomes of research on IKS

1.5 Enhancing research on IKS

2. Policy and Legal Considerations for the Protection of IKS in SA.

2.1 Scope and characteristics of IKS

2.2 Present conditions of IKS in SA

2.3 Present legal status of IKS

2.4 Identifying and including stakeholders

2.5 Towards the protection and promotion of IKS

2.6 Institutional and fiscal arrangements

2.7 Retrospectivity and extra-territorial implication of legislation

3. IKS in the National Innovation System as Potential Business.

3.1 IKS and Business to date

(a) Past

(b) Present

3.2 A framework for a strategic partnership

3.3 Women in IKS business initiatives

4. Building Consensus for IKS in SA.

4.1 Consolidating present endeavours

5. Giving Indigenous Communities a Voice.

6. The Sub-Continental conference on IKS.

Back to Portfolio Sub-Committee Index

Or Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Last Updated on August 31, 1998 by
Henri Fortuin from the CSIR