SCENES FROM: LOCAL KNOWLEDGE SYMPOSIUM

This symposium is concerned with developing a critical evaluation of local knowledge systems and their contribution to the social resilience of African societies and livelihood systems facing the multiple stresses of political-economic marginalization and environmental change. Participants will address the broad range of forces impacting local knowledge systems, including development ideology and discourses, the changing role of African languages, the evolution of African health systems, the adaptation of rural livelihoods, environmental management and conservation, and the political and epistemological orientations of researchers, civil society, and African governments in enabling or hindering the application of local knowledge to myriad human development problems.  The position of vulnerable populations and the role of the African child as recipient, interpreter, and creator of local knowledge, are central concerns.

For more information, contact: Tom Smucker smucker@ohio.edu (Geography and African Studies) or Ghirmai Negash, negashg@ohio.edu (English and African Studies).