In recent years, academics and development practitioners have shown growing interest in the relevance of indigenous knowledge to sustainable development. The International Symposium on Indigenous Knowledge and Sustainable Development provided a forum where people working in the field of indigenous knowledge and development could meet and exchange views, information and ideas. The symposium also offered a unique opportunity for members of the international IK network to meet. Aspects of indigenous knowledge During the symposium it became obvious again that indigenous knowledge covers a broad area dealing with all facets of human life and management of the natural environment. The conceptual framework of indigenous knowledge requires analysis at various levels.
Sustainable development requires the application of indigenous knowledge.
The symposium discussed three ways of doing this. At the symposium 36 papers were presented, expressing the wide range of subjects covered by indigenous knowledge. The abstracts of a selection of 25 papers are presented below. The recommendations and plan of action are a source of inspiration for those, both in South and North, who are interested in the potential role of indigenous knowledge in development. The recommendations provide good insight into the problems associated with providing information on indigenous knowledge.