SYMPOSIUM -INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, FOOD SYSTEMS, AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The symposium was organized by Twaweza Communications in partnership with the British Council.  The theme of the symposium was  Decolonization and Cultural Heritage in Africa. It was held on 17-18th March 2022  Dr. Kibet participated in a Panel conversation on Indigenous knowledge, food systems, and climate change

Objective(s)

With the vagaries of climate change, food systems and nutrition could benefit from indigenous knowledge, which was suppressed under the colonial experience. Furthermore, climate change is damaging significant cultural heritage sites and monuments. What is being done or can be done to draw on community knowledge, shift attitudes, avail diversity of food species and varieties, and increase food security in Africa? Which partnerships are needed to protect our cultural heritage from the effects of climate change?

Key Messages

• Indigenous knowledge is a resource to address negative impacts of climate change
• Indigenous knowledge in climate prediction can be link with scientific knowledge to make early warning effective.
• Community participation in citizen science -co-production of knowledge is sustainable
• There is an urgent need to document IK before it all lost due to colonial suppression and non-supportive policies in post independent Kenya

Partners: University of Nairobi, Twaweza Communications, British Council, National Museums of Kenya