Paper short abstract:

Indigenous knowledge and science interlinked by a network of functional nodes marrying together sensitivity to social and geographical environmental with scientific generalities in a dynamic system supported by craft technology derived developmental models of socially contextualised knowledge

Paper long abstract:

Sustainability achievement means change. Indigenous knowledge and western science both have contributions to make. The development of indigenous systems is often difficult to discern. Traditional irrigation and allied agricultural systems have evolved together. Craft knowledge systems constitute an extensive data source showing how such socially contextualised systems can and do respond to change. Western science generates wide ranging generalisations covering multiple diverse situations: traditional, socially contextualised systems respond to specific local conditions and embedding social values. Sustainability requires local circumstances and wider development needs both be accommodated. A rich model of craft knowledge development can be found in traditional shipbuilding. Transition to contemporary science techniques shows how these contrasting approaches can interact. Active Knowledge Networks, derived from this case clarify how a network of individual nodes linked through multiple dialogue channels can accommodate interactions between these different knowledge systems. Successful sustainability achievement calls for multiple, society specific, trade-offs in response to differing social values. Active Knowledge Networks provide a dynamic model in which channels are created to allow local voices to communicate their knowledge of the immediate environment and related social values; interaction with scientific research will then enable the different expertise communities to explore the widest range of mutually acceptable solutions. Attention to the procedures envisaged should create a needed countervailing force to moderate over dominant top-down inputs from donor nations, government administrations, and ubiquitous scientific secretariats and establishments.