Promotion of Traditional Knowledge
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Yemen, terracing system for the protection and cultivation of the slope. The water intakes deviate the fl ows from their natural course and direct them along the walls on the terraces. Towers and stone buildings are placed to defend the cultivations. Photo: P. Laureano. UNCCD – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertifi cation The international community has long recognized that desertifi cation is a major economic, social and environmental problem of concern to many countries in all regions of the world. The question of how to tackle desertifi cation was a major concern for the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development A Compilation of A Compilation UNCCD Documents and Reports from 1997 - 2003 UNCCD (UNCED), which was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The Conference supported a new, integrated approach to the problem, emphasizing action to promote sustainable development at the community level. It also called on the United Nations General Assembly to establish an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INCD) to prepare, by June 1994, a Convention to Combat Desertifi cation, particularly in Africa. The Convention was adopted in Paris on 17 June 1994. Committee on Science and Technology The UN Convention to Combat Desertifi cation has established a Committee on Science and Technology (CST). The CST was established under Article 24 of the Convention as a subsidiary body of the COP, and its mandate and terms of reference were defi ned and adopted during the fi rst session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) Oasis of Timimoun (Algerian Sahara), kesria, a water quota sharing system. Photo: P. Laureano. in 1997. It is composed of government representatives competent in the fi elds of expertise relevant to combating desertifi cation and mitigating the effects of drought. The committee identifi es priorities for research, and recommends ways of strengthening cooperation among researchers. It is multi-disciplinary and open to Promotion of Knowledge: Traditional Promotion of the participation of all Parties. It meets in conjunction with the ordinary sessions of the COP. The CST collects, analyses and reviews relevant data. It also promotes cooperation in the fi eld of combating desertifi cation and mitigating the effects of drought through appropriate sub-regional, regional and national institutions, and in particular by its activities in research and development, which contribute to increased knowledge of the Traditional Knowledge processes leading to desertifi cation and drought as well as their impact. A Compilation of UNCCD Documents and Reports from 1997 - 2003 UNCCD, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertifi cation Haus Carstanjen Martin-Luther-King-Strasse 8 53175 Bonn, Germany Tel: ++49 228 815 2800 Fax: ++ 49 228 815 2898 E-mail: [email protected] - www.unccd.int Promotion of Traditional Knowledge A Compilation of UNCCD Documents and Reports from 1997 - 2003 Promotion of Traditional Knowledge 3 The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material related to traditional knowledge, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNCCD concerning the legal status. intellectual property rights or patent rights of any country, territory, or area, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of the frontiers or boundaries. Promotions of Traditional Knowledge The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of the UNCCD Secretariat. A Compilation of UNCCD Documents and Reports from 1997 - 2003 Published by: Secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Bonn, Germany Copyright: © 2005 United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Reproduction of this publication fro educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the course is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder Citation: UNCCD. (2005). Revitalizing Traditional Knowledge. A Compilation of Documents and Reports from 1997 – 2003. UNCCD, Bonn, Germany. 150 pp. ISBN: 92-95043-03-0 Cover photo: Oasis of Timimoun (Algerian Sahara), kesria, a water quota sharing system. Photo: P. Laureano. Back Cover : Yemen, terracing system for the protection and cultivation of the slope. Photo: P. Laureano. Layout by: Hans Helmich GmbH, www.helmichprint.de Printed by: Hans Helmich GmbH, 55568 Staudernheim Available from: UNCCD, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Haus Carstanjen Martin-Luther-King-Strasse 8 53175 Bonn, Germany Tel: ++49 228 815 2800 Fax: ++ 49 228 815 2898 E-mail: [email protected] UNCCD – The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Committee of Science and Technology 2005 4 Promotion of Traditional Knowledge Promotion of Traditional Knowledge 5 Contents Acknowledgements Executive summary Foreword Introduction Section 1. First Ad Hoc Panel on Traditional Knowledge Page 1.1 Decision 14/COP.2 on Traditional Knowledge 13 1.2 Synopsis of Reports on Traditional Knowledge 14 1.3 Synthesis on Important and Widely Applied Traditional Knowledge on a 18 Sub-regional and Regional Basis and on a National Scale 1.4 Report of the First Ad Hoc Panel on Traditional Knowledge 50 1.5 Building Linkages Between Environmental Conventions and Initiatives 55 1.6 Synthesis on Traditional Knowledge in Dryland Ecosystems 77 1.7 The System of Traditional Knowledge in the Mediterranean and its Classification 83 with Reference to Different Social Groupings 1.8 A Participatory Approach to Research and Extension in Africa 97 Section 2. Second Ad Hoc Panel on Traditional Knowledge 2.1 Decision 12/COP.3 Traditional knowledge 104 2.2 Report of the Second Ad Hoc Panel on Traditional Knowledge 105 2.3 Rapport portant sur la prise en compte du savoir local par les programmes dáction, 112 reseaux et mecanismes mis en place par le secretariat de la CCD pour promouvoir les programmes de lutte contre la desertification a léchelle regionale et nationale 2.4 Report on the Measurement of the Reciprocity Between Traditional and Modern 126 Knowledge and their Promotion Section 3. COP Decisions and the Proposal by the Government of Italy 3.1 Decision 12/COP.4 on Traditional knowledge 147 3.2 Decision 12/COP.5 on Traditional knowledge 147 3.3 Traditional Knowledge - Proposal by the Government of Italy 148 Annex Techniques of Traditional Knowledge 153 6 Promotion of Traditional Knowledge Promotion of Traditional Knowledge 7 Acknowledgments Executive Summary This work is the result of a long process that began in 1994 when possible agenda items for This publication aims to contribute to an understanding of traditional knowledge and how its the Committee on Science and Technology were discussed during the Sixth Session of the application can minimize land degradation and desertification in arid and semi-arid zones and Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for the Elaboration of an international Convention to dry sub-humid zones. It is primarily intended to help those following the UNCCD process to take Combat Desertification (INCD) in New York. The interest in compiling the work of the CST on into account the development of traditional knowledge issues in the context of the work of the traditional knowledge since COP.1 was reiterated by the UNCCD Secretariat from 1998 to 2004, Committee on Science and Technology of the UNCCD. The document offers the fundamental which subsequently developed the initial draft of the document. Special thanks go to Ms. Elena Ga- information that may be useful to government officials, non-governmental organizations and vino who provided valuable assistance in the earlier compilation regarding the structure of the draft academic institutions. The publication is organized in three sections and presents the relevant version. The final version was completed by the UNCCD secretariat, with the generous support of COP decisions, the official CST reports from the Ad hoc panels, followed by consultants’ reports. the Government of Finland. Section one discusses the first Ad hoc panel on traditional knowledge and covers a range of topics The UNCCD secretariat wishes to thank those who participated in the ad hoc panels either as for important and widely applied traditional knowledge on a sub-regional, regional and national members, or as consultants and observers who provided valuable assistance to the panel. scale. It discusses the process of building linkages between environmental conventions and The following people are gratefully acknowledged for the insightful comments and contribution initiatives on the issue. A synthesis on traditional knowledge in dryland ecosystems is highlighted. on traditional knowledge: This includes the system of traditional knowledge in the Mediterranean and its classification with reference to different social groupings. A participatory approach to research and extension in Africa Mr. Ashot Vardevanyan (Armenia), Mr. Emmanuel Seck (Senegal), Mr. Jean-Claude Bomba is also discussed. (Central African Republic), Mr. Yang Youlin (China), Ms. Marie Nery Urquiza Rodríguez (Cuba), Section two provides the report of the second Ad hoc panel on traditional knowledge. This includes Mr. Etumesaku Diunganumbe (Democratic Republic of Congo), Dr. Salah Tahoun (Egypt), a report concerning local knowledge and its role in the National Action Programmes (in French). Mr. Sulemana Osman Saaka (Ghana), Ms. Sunita Narain (India), Dr. Domenica