He was previously director of the Steinmetz Archive for social science data in the Netherlands and President of the International Federation of Data Organizations. Through lengthy negotiations, the participants finalized the contents of two documents the Declaration on Science and the Framework for Action that establish priorities for science in the 21st century. In the session on Science and other systems of knowledge , indigenous experts and scientists explored the topic of local and traditional knowledge.
Indigenous knowledge is no newcomer to international action plans and conventions.
At the 1992 Earth Summit, clear reference to indigenous and local knowledge was inscribed in the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21. Perhaps for this reason, a certain unease with indigenous knowledge surfaced from time to time during the preparatory period. Some scientists expressed surprise at seeing this issue on the agenda of a World Conference on Science. Regional preparatory meetings, however, spoke out strongly in support of its inclusion. Dissenting voices were heard again during the thematic debate in Budapest, suggesting that by including indigenous or traditional knowledge scientists might be lending a credibility which was ill-deserved.