The International Science, Technology, and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) under the auspices of UNESCO together with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) constituents, Traditional Knowledge Digital Library Unit (CSIR-TKDL Unit), New Delhi, and CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, is organising an STI Conclave on “Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods” from 29 to 31 July 2024 at New Delhi, India.
Dr N Kalaiselvi, DG, CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, inaugurated the first STI Conclave. The Guests of Honour were Dr D Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR- IICT, and Dr Benno Boer, UNESCO Natural Science Specialist in New Delhi. The Plenary Talk was delivered by Prof. Anant Darshan Shankar, Founder and Vice Chancellor of the Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU), Bengaluru.
The three-day Conclave has internationally acclaimed speakers from India on varied subjects such as biodiversity, traditional cultural expressions, integrative health and research, national and international policies on TK, IPR and associated matters, and South-South Cooperation. The ISTIC-UNESCO team was led by Prof. Mohd Basyaruddin Abdul Rahman, Chairperson of Governing Council and Dr Sharizad Dahlan, Director of the organisation. From the CSIR, Dr Viswajanani J Sattigeri, Head, CSIR-TKDL Unit and Dr D Shailaja, Chief Scientist, CSIR-IICT, led the efforts on organising the Conclave in India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kalaiselvi remarked that the STI Conclave targets a topic that is the need of the hour, considering that the sustainability of lives is a growing concern worldwide. She said that the Conclave provides a platform to bring awareness among the next-gen youth about the importance and value of the knowledge and practices inherited from our ancestors. Stating that modernity is always connected to the fundamentals of our traditional knowledge, she acknowledged that this Conclave rightly spreads the importance of bringing traditions and modern S&T together.
Dr Srinivasa Reddy, Director, CSIR-IICT, highlighted the CSIR activities related to validation, innovation and integration of traditional medicines and modern S&T interventions as effective tools to address healthcare for all.
Dr Benno Boer elaborated on the three important aspects of sustainability through education, science and culture and how UNESCO brings together collaboration and cooperation to empower people and the planet. He stated respecting and living harmoniously with nature is important for sustainable living. He also spoke about UNESCO’s platforms related to biodiversity spheres and the LINKS programmes, reiterating the need to explore and understand the meaning of local knowledge systems to conserve and preserve nature and livelihoods.
The Conclave envisages promoting understanding and enhancing academic and professional capabilities under the theme of “Strengthening Competencies in Digitisation, Preservation and Protection of Traditional Knowledge (TK) — Intellectual Property (IP) and People’s Rights” among the participants to provide a platform for the exchange of information on challenges related to TK in their countries and learn the best practices being adopted by India and others in safeguarding TK. The participants are from Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Malaysia and India. The Conclave aims to emphasise the importance of engaging in collaborative learning models and expanding the partnership and networks through engagement and cooperation to address the development challenges of the region, specifically through sustainable living through local knowledge systems.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.istic-unesco.org/web/about-istic
