Past Event

Join the African Indigenous Knowledge Research Network (AIKRN) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation for the upcoming AIKRN Quarterly Webinar Series:

Theme: Non-Governmental Organizations and promotion of Indigenous Knowledge in Africa

Date: Monday, June 30, 2025, Time: 10:00 AM EST

Indigenous knowledge refers to the long-standing  customs, norms, traditions and practices of local communities, that have been  developed through centuries of interaction with their natural and social environments. In Africa, these knowledge systems have shaped agriculture, medicine, environmental conservation, conflict resolution, and governance. However, the various encounters that Africa had with other regions of the world, especially, the West have led to the marginalization of these knowledge systems. Due to what scholars have referred to as coloniality, the postcolonial state has to significant extent neglected the utility of indigenous knowledge. Many African countries lack robust frameworks for incorporating indigenous knowledge into mainstream development efforts.

The NGOs have stepped into the gap created by state neglect by working with Indigenous communities to preserve, protect, and promote indigenous knowledge as part of sustainable development, cultural identity and environmental resilience. In this Webinar, two leaders in the NGO sector will be discussing their experiences in promoting indigenous knowledge in Uganda and Kenya. The objectives of the Webinar include the following:

1. To assess the current role of NGOs in the documentation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge in Africa.
2. To promote partnerships between NGOs, local communities, and academic institutions to safeguard traditional knowledge.
3. To advocate for policies that integrate indigenous knowledge into national development strategies.
4. To strengthen community-based initiatives that preserve indigenous languages, practices, and ecological knowledge.

 Speakers:

Expected Outcomes

• Increased awareness and respect for indigenous knowledge systems across Africa.
• Strengthened capacity of NGOs and local communities to document and promote traditional knowledge.
• Greater inclusion of indigenous knowledge in national policies and development frameworks.
• Enhanced cultural identity and community resilience through revived traditional practices.

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