Traditional Knowledges and Culture of Peace in Africa


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The aim of the project is to strengthen the African traditional knowledge (TK) that promotes conflict prevention and resolution in post-conflict countries or in countries with protracted social conflicts.

The project stresses the knowledge transmission from the elders to the young people, and it explores the ways to balance local knowledge with global knowledge through the public debate.

It seeks to strengthen TK (and to recuperate them if this has been lost) in three key topics for a culture of peace:

a) sustainable agriculture;

b) natural medicine; and

c) social mechanisms for conflict resolution.

It is focused in young people as they are the most affected by the loss of TK, and they are essential for this knowledge to be transmitted to future generations.

It is aimed to increase social harmony and cohesion in the communities, as well as to preserve biodiversity. All these elements are indispensable for preserving cultural identity and enhancing creativity.

The project includes the evaluation and systematisation of the TK previously approved by the community, and the broadcasting and giving access to this valuable information by the local radio and through the Internet. The project also aims to train communities in the international mechanisms and organizations that work in the sphere of TK, intellectual property rights and patents.

The activities to disseminate information are aimed at opening the dialogue in communities, in the politicians’ sphere and in the civil society on the use of TK and the consequences of either its loss or recuperation for the country’s identity and creativity.

Pilot countries: Sudan and Equatorial Guinea [.pdf].