We cannot resolve the global crisis by applying the methods that caused it.

A new paradigm is required based on cultural heritage and local knowledge.

Traditional knowledge is the ancient heritage of humankind and concerns techniques, practices, spiritual notions, which passed on from generation to generation, enabling man to adapt to periodical changes and thus insuring an appropriate management of the ecosystems.

Traditional knowledge and its innovative use represent the base for a sustainable technology, indispensable for elaborating a new model for the human progress.

For the purpose of strengthening an International network on traditional knowledge, for its diffusion to recent EU member states, and for the creation of an interactive databank, the following speakers will intervene:

Pietro Laureano- IPOGEA, Research Center on local and traditional knowledge, Italy

Sabina Asins- Cento de Investigaciones Sobre desertificacion (CSIC), Spain

Corinne Walker- University of Applied Sciences, North-western Switzerland, Master Program in Environmental Technology and Management and researcher at the University of Berne

Franco La Cecla  – Architecture Social Impact Assessment (ASIA), UK

Jerzi Weber- Wroclaw University of Environmental and life Science (Institute of Soil Science and Environmental protection), Poland

Brunello Ceccanti- National Research Council (CNR), Italy

 “ITKnet Innovative and Traditional Knowledge network for the proper use of natural resources”

In the context of the EC “Research connection 2009”, the forum “ITKnet Innovative and Traditional Knowledge network for the proper use of natural resources” aims at sharing the results of the European project Resourcenet, at strengthening and improving the existing network involving the new European member states, selecting pilot projects, creating a databank on traditional knowledge.

 The European project Resourcenet  (www.resourcenet.org)

The European project Resourcenet contributed to the realization of a coordinative action between the most relevant ongoing projects concerning the rational use of natural resources in the arid and semiarid Mediterranean area by using traditional knowledge and techniques.

In order to join the broad target of contributing to an integrated and coherent policy of land and water resources management in the Mediterranean Region, the project has created a wider partnership, involving local and international organisms, 60 experts and research institutes from 30 countries. The international and local institutions involved were the following: UNESCO, UNCCD, CBD, FAO, the Italian Ministry of Environment – National Committee to Fight Drought and Desertification (CNLSD) and the Regional Government of Tuscany. The countries involved were: Algeria; Egypt, Ethiopia, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia, India, Japan, Jordan, Oman, Syria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Colombia, USA, Argentina, Cuba, Mexico, Bolivia, Peru, Spain.

The international network of experts and the Centre on Traditional Knowledge

A long length action for improving the rational use of natural resources is obtained through the creation of an experts’ network on Traditional Knowledge (ITKnet; www.itknet.org ), the realization of pilot projects and the creation of an International Centre on Traditional Knowledge in the city of Florence.

- The main aims of the Centre on Traditional Knowledge consist of:

- Recognize, study and make an inventory of Traditional Knowledge  

- Share and promote the dissemination of knowledge from local to international level  

- Insure the protection of Traditional Knowledge

- Promote integration between Traditional Knowledge and scientific knowledge  

- Defend the rights of local communities and indigenous populations holding Traditional Knowledge and indigenous science systems  

- Promote the dissemination and the innovative use of Traditional Knowledge  

- Implement the use of traditional practices for the realization of works and a participatory approach in the choice of technological infrastructures  

- Promote protocols that adopt Traditional Knowledge in Parks, protected areas and UNESCO sites   

- Contribute to the protection of traditional cultures and cultural diversity trough conventions and laws

Objective of the Forum

The existing network involves primarily Mediterranean countries, but our aim is to extend the network to other European countries and in particular to the new member states. We would like to propose a networking space with the following objectives:

- Strengthening and increasing the ITKnet network

- Disseminating the results of the European network Resourcenet

- Sharing and disseminating sustainable and innovative techniques based on the use of traditional knowledge

- Opening the existing network to new European member states

- Discussing and implementing the ongoing pilot projects

- Organizing and promoting projects on the new sustainable technologies in the FP7 contest.

IMI Project “Mainstream Climate Change Adaptation in IFAD’s Operations”

learning event

In the past the conditions of climate variability, ecosystem degradation and natural disasters imposed a deep insight in managing resources and the invention of cheap technologies and processes that were not destructive. In several climates and environments, incredibly tenacious cultures were able to use locally available materials and renewable resources. They used solar energy and the strength of nature. They applied the principles of wind, shadow and humidity to start interaction processes and amplify useful dynamics.

Societies who promoted harmony with their environment flourished and created landscapes and ecosystems that make up the cultural heritage of humanity. The conservation of this heritage is possible thanks to the millenary complexity of knowledge and techniques commonly referred to as Traditional and Local Knowledge.

Traditional Knowledge shows how to intervene in perfect agreement with the environment, highlighting its potential without exhausting it. It is fragile and subject to unwise transformations, nevertheless it is the means of subsistence for two thirds of humanity and constitutes an ingenious reserve of solutions and devices for producing energy, recycling resources and keeping microclimate under control.

Using traditional Knowledge does not mean directly reapplying the techniques from the past but understanding the logical reasoning underlying the knowledge system and reapplying it in a creative way: today’s appropriate innovations constitute tomorrow’s traditional knowledge.

The speaker

Pietro Laureano

Architect and town planner, is a Unesco consultant on arid areas and ecosystems in danger. He worked for eight years in the Sahara desert and coordinated projects in Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and Ethiopia. He is one of the 1,300 experts who took part to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) launched by UN Secretary-General in 2001.

In his quality as Italian representative in the technical scientific committee of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and as President of the Traditional Knowledge Panel promoted a world data bank on the local knowledge systems. At present this mission is being carried out by the research centre IPOGEA that was founded by the author and located in the Sassi of Matera. IPOGEA, Research Centre on Local and Traditional Knowledge, coordinates EU projects in 10 countries all over the Mediterranean and research and landscape restoration works carried out by means of traditional techniques and their innovative use.

Related links:

Traditional Knowledge World Bank website: http://www.tkwb.org/web/

“Climate disorder and environmental and artistic heritage: the role of education and communication” was held as part of the events organized for the decade for Sustainable development proclamed by the UN and with the patronage of UNESCO

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International Network on Traditional Knowledge (ITNET) - Major Conference 

Place:  FLORENCE - Sala Giunta of Regione Toscana, via Cavour 18
Date: 28^th -29^th June 2007

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