Local and indigenous knowledge systems are a precious source of wisdom which people tap into for creating solutions inspired by their interactions with nature, their culture, languages, and spirituality.
It refers to the understandings, skills and philosophies developed by societies with long histories of interaction with their natural surroundings. These unique ways of knowing are important facets of the world’s cultural diversity and provide a foundation for locally-appropriate sustainable development.
Discover UNESCO’s Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems programme (LINKS), which promotes local and indigenous knowledge and its inclusion in global environmental sciences and policy processes: https://en.unesco.org/links
Get inspired by UNESCO Green Citizens projects which valorize indigenous and local knowledge for sustainable development!
Elsie Gabriel wants to move towards a more ocean- literate society. This young activist has created the Ocean Schools program in India for young people and local communities.
Allowing both land and people to flourish, connecting traditional communities in the Amazon area, researchers and environmentally engaged groups is the goal of the Meli Network project. A flourishing cooperation inspired by the Meliponini bees.
L’Ecole des Pôles (The School of Poles) embarks young people to give them tools for the ecological transition. Welcome aboard beautiful three masted sailing ships to raise awareness of the climate emergency!
To protect K’ahsho Got’ine Land in Canada and to study and adapt to the impacts of climate change, the community relies on the knowledge of Elders.
Environmental education requires a close cooperation of all segments of society. Based on this belief, the ISEE project team is building cooperation among students, teachers and families around carbon footprint awareness.
By cleaning and growing trees and flowers in front of his home, a Senegalese citizen launches the #QuartierVertChallenge (GreenNeighborhoodChallenge) movement.
« We are the custodians of our natural resources ». A citizens’ movement is responding to local challenges. In the village of Shangwe in Zimbabwe, drilling a well is an opportunity to engage the community.
How can environmental issues be addressed in California if native people are ignored? The Advocacy and Water Protection in Native California program aims to make their voices heard through education reform.
What if we turned waste into fuel? An Indonesian social enterprise has created a unit to transform plastic into hydrogen.
In India, the Food Sovereignty based on Traditional Knowledge and Participatory Methods project provides a forum to Adivasi Youth to find solutions within.
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