Transcript of the statement of Mr. Madavo, Vice President of the Africa Region of the World Bank on the importance of Indigenous Knowledge

Knowledge is not the exclusive domain of the technologically advanced societies, nor can it move in one direction only. Local communities in developing countries have accumulated over many generations a body of traditional knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. Indigenous knowledge is the basis for problem-solving strategies for local communities, especially for the poor. The challenge for us is, to learn more about indigenous knowledge from our clients, share it among the development community and apply it in projects supported by the World Bank and its partners.

The World Bank could learn more by collecting, documenting, and sharing information about indigenous practices more systematically. Obviously, we cannot accomplish this task in isolation. We must learn from local communities and work with NGOs and other development partners. To this end, our partners in development and ourselves have launched the Indigenous Knowledge for Development Initiative. Under this initiative, we will assist in building local capacity to capture and disseminate indigenous knowledge locally and across communities. We will develop a database of indigenous practices, and publish interesting cases to make them available for application in projects. We will also facilitate the development of a global indigenous knowledge network. One, that involves civil society, the public and the private sector We hope that the indigenous knowledge initiative will facilitate broader participation by local communities in the development process. This partnership will give a new meaning to empowering the poor.

Not as recipients of knowledge but as contributors to and shapers of their own history