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Biosafety Information Centre
The Biosafety Information Centre, managed by Third World Network, disseminates information, raises awareness and promotes research in biosafety, sustainable agriculture, indigenous knowledge and rights. It circulates regular electronic newsletters aimed at policymakers, regulators, scientists and civil society organisations in developing countries. It also publishes contributions by active researchers and reproduces articles from external media.
Centre for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge
The Centre for Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge (CBIK) is an NGO based in Kunming (China) dedicated to conserving nature and culture. CBIK promotes socially equitable and environmentally sound development in mountainous areas of southwest China that are inhabited by ethnic minorities. The website includes links, articles and notices of events.
Centre for International Ethnomedicinal Education and Research
The Centre for International Ethnomedicinal Education and Research is nonprofit educational and research organisation that aims establish a focal point for the exchange of ethnomedicinal knowledge and an international network of ethnobotanical researchers. The website offers links to bibliographies, publications, research projects and events.
Consortium for Indigenous Crop Protection
This website, run by Oregon State University, offers three databases with information about indigenous crop protection practices in sub-Saharan East Africa. One covers the status and significance of indigenous crop protection; the second is a register of natural and traditional crop protection products; and the third is a bibliographic database of worldwide literature on indigenous pest control practices and natural products.
Convention on Biological Diversity: Traditional Knowledge
The most commonly cited source of information on the protection of indigenous knowledge is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It urges all governments to protect IK. This part of the website looks specifically at Article 8 (j) of the CBD which relates to traditional knowledge, innovations and practices.
Development Gateway on Indigenous Knowledge
The purpose of this site is to further stimulate the recognition, utilisation and exchange of indigenous knowledge in the development process. The site aims to act as a platform for local communities, NGOs, development practitioners, policymakers, and academics interested in IK. The organisers invite you to contribute to the promotion of indigenous knowledge in the development and scientific enterprise, and to provide them with information on links to sites with case studies, tools, guidelines and manuals on the use of IK, best practices, programmes and projects, directories, databases, conferences, and mailing lists.
Environment and Development Action in the Third World
ENDA is an association of research groups based both in Senegal and other Southern countries, which work on development and environment themes. It collaborates with grassroots groups in search of alternative development models on the basis of the experience, expectations and objectives of marginalised peoples.
Ethnovetweb
This website on ethnoveterinary medicine deals with people’s knowledge, skills, methods, practices and beliefs with regard to the care of their animals. The website features news of conferences and events, new projects, publications, links and online journals.
FAO: Local indigenous Knowledge Systems
The LinKS project of the FAO explores the linkages between gender, biodiversity and local knowledge systems in southern Africa. The project collaborates with several international partners that assist in the development and dissemination of methodologies.
Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions
The Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions is a charity that was founded in 1993 to promote India’s self reliance in primary health care and to help India’s traditional knowledge make a contribution to the world of medicine. It describes itself as an 'unconventional' educational institution that includes research into the conservation scientific analysis of medicinal plants.
Gene Campaign
Gene Campaign is a nongovernmental organisation based in Delhi. Established in 1993 by Dr. Suman Sahai, it organises public debates on genetically modified crops and their relevance to Indian small farmers. It also publishes articles and booklets on genetically modified technology, biopiracy, indigenous knowledge and intellectual property rights.
Honey Bee Network
The Honey Bee Network collects knowledge and practices at a grassroots level and brings together creative and innovative farmers, mechanics, fishermen, women, etc. who have solved a problem without external help. Their aim is to connect one innovator with another through feedback, communication and networking. The Network is part of the Indian Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI).
Indigenous Knowledge for the Environment
This is the indigenous knowledge module of the publication ‘Learning for a Sustainable Environment’ developed by UNEP, Unesco and Griffith University in Australia. The purpose of the module is to present indigenous knowledge of the Asia-Pacific region and develop an awareness that can be used for developing strategies to ‘rewrite’ Western worldviews within the context of environmental education.
Mongabay.com
Mongabay.com is an environmental science and conservation news site, founded in 1999 and run by environmental journalist Rhett A. Butler. Its content focuses on tropical forests, including in-depth information and facts and figures on deforestation and forest degradation. Progress on proposals for reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) is regularly reported and analysed.
Mongabay.com is published in several languages, including English, Chinese and Spanish. A 'kids version' is also available to help educate children about rainforests.
Netherlands Organisation for International Cooperation in Higher Education: IK Pages
This website on Indigenous Knowledge is maintained by NUFFIC. It offers announcements related to IK, a database of online resources, a monthly newsletter (Indigenous Knowledge WorldWide), and several best practice guides. An archive of the Indigenous Knowledge and Development Monitor (published from 1993) is also available online.
On the frontlines of climate change: REDD
This online forum for indigenous peoples, small island nations and vulnerable communities was launched by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), with support from other international bodies. It has several goals, including supporting community-based research and educational activities related to climate change. The forum publishes lead articles and invites discussion related to the themes raised. From February to May 2009, reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) was discussed.
Programme for Traditional Resource Rights
Based at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, PTRR aims to extend to indigenous peoples and local communities "knowledge of appropriate mechanisms for protecting the integrity of their knowledge and resources".
Register of Best Practices on Indigenous Knowledge
This is part of UNESCO's Management of Social Transformations database of best practices. It contains examples of innovative projects or initiatives that illustrate the use of indigenous knowledge in the development of cost-effective and sustainable survival strategies for local communities.
South African National Research Foundation: Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous Knowledge Systems is a special focus of the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa. The NRF aims to: develop theoretical and methodological paradigms within which to understand the specific characteristics of IK; shed light on the role of IK in nation-building; develop research capacity in the field of IK in South Africa.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge - AAAS Project
This is a project of Internet-based documentation concerning the ways that various plant species are used. The website focuses on indigenous knowledge, patents and intellectual property rights. It is run by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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Missed the Global Health Forum 2009?
Our blog, by SciDev.Net columnist Priya Shetty, will fill you in, as will our interview with the Global Forum's Gill Samuels
