Can Indigenous Knowledge Help Achieve the MDGs –
Learning from East African Practitioners

Introduction: This seminar centered around the theme of how we can leverage traditional and modern knowledge systems towards reducing maternal mortality, treating HIV/AIDS and conserving biodiversity among local communities. The panel participants included David Scheinman from the Tanga AIDS Working Group (TAWG), Dr.Medhin Zewdu from the Ethiopian Medicinal Plants Project and Dr.Nyiira from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology. This panel was moderated by Nicolas Gorjestani and Reinhard Woytek on April 30^th, 2003.

v Introduction and opening remarks (6:53 min)

v Dr.Medhin Zewdu (11:28 min) PowerPoint Presentation
Dr. Medhin Zewdu works on the Medicinal Plants Project in Ethiopia discussed the adaptation of community experiences from South Asia into the Bank-supported Conservation and Sustainable Use of Medicinal Plants Project.

v Dr.Nyiira (17:12 min) Report
Dr. Nyiira from the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (UNCST), talks about how in the Iganga District of Uganda, modern health practitioners and Traditional Birth Attendants partnered to reduce maternal mortality by 50% in three years, and how UNCST pioneered a national strategy to integrate indigenous knowledge into the poverty reduction program.

v David Scheinman (20:36 min) PowerPoint Presentation
David Scheinman, from the Tanga AIDS Working Group in Tanzania, shared insights on how working with local healers to treat opportunistic AIDS-related diseases has made a difference to the lives of 2000 people living with HIV/AIDS.

v Question and Answer session (38:21 min)

Last updated: Thursday, June 12, 2003

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