04 Feb 2014

Botswana will host a Southern African Development Community (SADC) Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) regional workshop from February 10.

A press release from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Science and Technology stated that participating SADC countries would engage in discussions on policy development and strategy for the region in a programme that would be designed to facilitate the sharing of ideas, experiences and contributions towards a common policy and regional cooperation.

The release said the purpose of the workshop was to facilitate dialogue on the development policy and legislative framework for the region; to develop a regional recording, documentation and benefit sharing model for IKS; and to explore policy issues on the innovation and commercialization of indigenous knowledge.

It said the workshop would focus on policy development and advocacy; knowledge development; knowledge management; and regional and international cooperation.

Expected outcomes of the workshop include a comprehensive analysis of the regional contexts and trends in IKS policy development, and developing IKS policy development guidelines; a revitalization of the SADC network and therefore a strengthening of partnerships and cooperation in delivering IKS policy around the region; and agreeing on modalities for the establishment of a regional IKS database.

Other expected outcomes of the workshop are a plan of action in establishing a regional framework for the protection of IKS; and strengthening partnerships and networking in promoting and replicating best practices in IKS in a regional context. ENDS