2015 Conference

Workshop

Making sense of indigenous environmental practices

The pinnacle of functional and successful cross-border environmental problem-solving is the comprehensive understanding of the environment-culture intricacies that form the bottom-line of the so-called local, indigenous, and underdeveloped communities (LIUC) in the world. The result of the current functioning of the global economy and environmental management systems is the dichotomization of LIUC as either biodiversity guardians, or environmental impact sufferers. They are guardians as they harbor most of the remaining global biodiversity, and sufferers because they are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution and degradation that stem from natural resource extraction to satisfy global demand; and they are predicted to suffer the most from climate change due to their limited economic, technological, and scientific ability to adopt mitigation and adaptation measures.

Endowed with scientific and technological know-how, the fundamental role of environmental scientists, experts, and managers, as well as international development workers, advocate groups, government agencies, and non-governmental organization has been to empower, or sometimes compel, LIUCs to manage their valuable environmental resources and address environmental injustices and climate change. Other roles, such as economic development and improving health standards, go hand in hand with the primary role. Usually, the dominant modernized, science-based culture prevails over the LIUC culture and knowledge. The result, in some instances, has been the failure of the initiatives and innovations introduced in these cultures or near social and economic collapse of the LIUC. The increasing threat of persistent, creeping, and scaling environmental problems, such as climate change, desertification, and biodiversity loss calls for a more culturally informed, collaborative approach to environmental problem-solving. The United Nations (UN), reiterated the importance to “redress and strengthen further the partnership established between indigenous people and the international community,” by educating indigenous and non-indigenous communities on the situation and cultures of indigenous people.”

The goal of this workshop is to deepen and broaden LIUC stakeholders’ knowledge and perspectives on the magnitude and significance of the interrelationship and interdependence of culture and environment, a prerequisite for designing culturally appropriate and relevant interventions so as to optimize environmental productivity and efficiency, and minimize catastrophic social, cultural, and economic outcomes.

At the end of this half-day workshop, the participants will:

1. Garner a deep understanding of the implications of culture-environment bonds in ecological protection, indigenous knowledge acquisition and transformation, and sociocultural interactions;
2. Understand the social, cultural, and economic  impacts of trivializing  the culture-environmental bond in partnering with and designing solutions for LIUCs;
3. Develop skills on how to make use of the culture-environment tie to acquire invaluable indigenous environmental knowledge, establish successful environmental projects, communicate environmental science, and introduce environmental innovations to LIUCs.

The workshop will cover the following topics:  indigenous environmental, biological, and ecological knowledge; a methodology for communicating science and acquiring relevant information; the concept of frame of reference; the concept of “blundering intruder;” how cultural practices safeguard ecological and environmental attributes; how ecological and biological aspects of the environment safeguard the sociocultural fabric of LIUCs, and, project management in LIUCs.

Learning activities will include participants’ self-evaluation of their knowledge on the culture-environment ties, and general understanding on how to work with cross-border LIUCs before and after the workshop.  In addition, they will define various concepts, items, and practices and compare their definitions with LIUCs. They will further provide solutions to real life case studies.

A case study demonstrating the significance of the environment and nature on culture, science knowledge, and management will be presented through interactive short lectures.  Examination of various practices, approaches, and methodologies for acquiring relevant environmental knowledge, designing appropriate environmental projects, diffusing scientific knowledge, and introducing environmental and climate change innovations will be done through big group discussions and interactive mini-lectures. A projector is needed for this workshop. Each participant will receive both paper and electronic copies of the detailed handouts of the lecture.

Workshop summary

Using interactive short lectures, large group discussions, and case study analyses, this workshop will broaden knowledge and skills necessary for functional and effective design, diffusion, and management of environmental problem-solving programs, policies, and innovations without impairing the cultural, economic, and ecological fabrics of local, indigenous, and underdeveloped communities.