Contents :
The role of local knowledge and wisdom have enabled humankind, in
particular the indigenous people around the globe, to adapt, survive, and
develop in a more sustainable way.
Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) have successfully evolved over
generations within specific natural and sociocultural settings. However, these
systems are now overshadowed, and being replaced by the introduction of imported
life styles based on modern science and technology. In the process of
modernization many developing societies are adopting western oriented life
styles at the expense of their indigenous knowledge systems of subsistence
ecology and adaptation.
In view of both the stagnation of such a unilinear 'top down' development
process as well as the increaing economic and environmental costs of imported
systems, development planners and rural extension workers have come to recognize
IKS as developing countries most valuable source, holding sophisticated
observations, experiences, and knowledges abouot human interaction with
environment.
IKS have indeed been retained, adapted, and implemented for survival by
local farmers, hunters, women, and other groups, often in an environmentally
sustainable way. These systems reflect the knowledge, decision making and
organizational structures developed by particular communities to utilize, manage
and conserve biodiversity, soil and water resources, as well as in other sectors
of their particular local settings. An understanding of indigenous knowledge has
enabled the facilitation of sustainable approaches to development programming in
very cost effective ways.
Therefore, a realistic approach to development programing in developing
countries must take into account the fact that indigenous knowledge and
technology will continue to form an important part of the knowledge base for
livelihood practices, offers a more holistic approach to sustainable
development.
In 1992, INRIK (Indonesian Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge), was
established at Padjadjaran University. This institusion conducts programme
activities to promote Indigenous knowledge.
INRIK has links with a global network of professionals and institutions
engaged in indigenous knowledge research and development activities.
After two survival years, INRIK finally had its inauguration with
the hosting of an International Conference on Indigenous Knowledge, July 11-15,
1994. This conference was sponsored by the local government of West Java
Province, and LEAD of Leiden University, The Netherlands, and was attended by
around 150 scientists and professionals from 14 countries. The conference
produced a number of recommendations on how to realize a sectoral and
intersectoral IK network at national, regional, and international levels.
INRIK's first activity after the conference was to begin a four year
research program on interactions between the Kasepuhan Community and the
surrounding forests in Mount Halimun Area, West Java. The aim of the research
was to document, study, and develop various interactive models.
The major aim of the centre is to obtain a
clear understanding of indigenous knowledge and natural resource management as a
basis for developing approriate models for rural development planning and
natural resource management strategies in order to improve existing practices,
or at the very least, to prevent the further degradation of resource management
systems in Indonesia. It is expected that this could contrbute to effortsto
realize, on a sustainable basis, the goals of national development.
One of the first activities was: the inaguration of the centre,
simultanneously with an international Congress on "Indigenous Knowledge
Systems and Natural Resource Management in Indonesia" in November 1992 at
Padjadjaran University, Bandung. The establishment of the centre was part of the
on going Padjadjaran/ Leiden University Cooperation programme formalized on
December 15, 1987.
In addition, the visiting scientist programme will seek support from a
number of international and national agencies, such as The Netherlands Centre
for International Research Cooperation (CIRC) .
At present the principal programme areas of the centre are in the field of indigenous medical and indigenous agricultural systems. Besides research, the centre runs professional programmes including short courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences. The principal objective of these programmes is to create a forum for the exchange of scientific, technical and policy related information in the field of IK and development.
