Preserving and Transferring Indigenous Knowledge in a Digital World

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) define "indigenous" as referring to people, cultures, and communities native to a particular geographical region, having existed there for a long period before the arrival of outside populations or influences. Key aspects of the UN’s definition include unique traditions, languages, and social systems that are distinct from those of the society-at-large, as well as a deep connection to their ancestral lands.

In the context of global sustainability transformation, there is a need to reclaim—or decolonize— the meaning of "indigenous" and "traditional" and how they relate to human flourishing and sustainability. Indigenous communities are often perceived as traditional, backward-looking, and underdeveloped, partly because of their historical marginalization, lack of access to modern infrastructure and education, and the preservation of their traditions and rituals (Smith, 2012, Escobar, 1995).

Traditional and indigenous wisdoms offer holistic views of care, integrating community, environment, and spirituality (Storm, 2021, Chang and Bai, 2016), which can effectively complement modernist views for example on technological innovation and climate protection. Furthermore, indigenous wisdom is not homogenous, and there are significant differences between the bodies of knowledge of indigenous communities. In their own way, diverse indigenous perspectives challenge Western paradigms by emphasizing relationships and interconnectedness, presenting care as an all-encompassing practice rooted in the symbiosis of human and natural systems.

To fully harness the rich knowledge of indigenous communities, it is essential for us to navigate with them the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by today’s rapidly evolving digital age. Historically marginalized, these communities often face limited access to modern technologies, which can deepen their exclusion. Moreover, the digital era introduces new risks, including the misappropriation and exploitation of their traditions, rituals, and practices, adding to the injustices they already endure.

At the same time, the digital age offers unprecedented opportunities for Indigenous peoples to preserve, revitalize, and share their cultural heritage while also gaining new tools for education, economic development, and self-determination. By embracing digital platforms, Indigenous communities can document and disseminate their languages, stories, and traditional practices, ensuring they are passed down to future generations. Moreover, digital tools provide a means to connect with a global audience, fostering greater understanding and collaboration across cultures.

Goals and objectives

The main goal of the workshop is to identify and address the essential challenges and opportunities for global transformation towards sustainability through the preservation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge in a digital age. To achieve this goal, the workshop employs innovative formats of knowledge transfer and brings together leading scholars and practitioners to answer important questions.

Programme Committee PD Dr. Dr. Ariel Macaspac Hernandez

Prof. Dr. A.J. (Andrej Janko) Zwitter

Wakanyi Hoffman

Dr. Paola Velasco Herrejon

Dr. Ian Hughes