Compas Presentation

Towards Co-evolution of sciencesNo shortcut in integrating local and global knowledge

Overview

1. Origin: Compas

2. Knowledge in intercultural perspective

- Definitions

- Sources and focus

- Indigenous perspective

- Intercultural perspective

3. Typology of relations between forms of knowledge

4. Endogenous development

5. Challenges: Strategy for co-evolution of sciences and cultures

Compas Presentation

Origin

• Food production: achievements and limitations• HEIA….LEISA• PTD• Focus on Indigenous Knowledge• Beyond technology: cosmovision/culture

Three dimensions: - Natural- Human- Spiritual

Natural World

Spiritual world

Human World

Compas Presentation

Approach

• Action research in different ecological, economic and cultural environments:– 25 partners in 14 countries in 4 continents– Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development

• Intercultural dialogues:– Compas magazine– Workshops

• Scientific support and co-evolution of cultures and sciences: University consortium (9 countries)

Compas Presentation

Compas products

• Two books:

Compas Presentation

Compas products

• Website: www.compas-network.org

• Six Compas Magazines– 4000 subscribers English– 2000 subscribers Spanish

• TMF funding till 2006

• University consortium in status nascendi

Compas Presentation

Compas position on co-evolution of sciences

• Global and local knowledge can not simply be integrated by combining the best of both.

• The interface needs assessment of:– Existing power relations– Epistemological differences (focus and sources)– SWOT of each of the traditions involved– Possibilities and results of initiatives to address

SWOT

And decision to collaborate, co-learn and co-evolve.

Compas Presentation

Knowledge in intercultural perspective

Definitions– Information: data processed and given a meaning.– Knowledge: Assumptions, concepts, and information acquired

and processed by people: Meaning given to phenomena and the basis for action.

– Science: The complex of producing, storing, retrieving and utilization of knowledge within a theoretical and methodological framework accepted by a professional community.

• Best approximation/subject to improvement• Socially constructed• Different sciences exist in different cultures and professional

communities• Dominant science: Carthesian

Compas Presentation

Knowledge in intercultural perspective

Focus, sources and objectives of Knowledge

Focus: HOW WHYCause/effect Meaning

Source Ratio Intuitionknowing from knowingoutside from inside

Objective Control Sense giving

Compas Presentation

Knowledge in intercultural perspective

Rules of the game of inter-scientific dialogue: Issues to be addressed:

1. Risk of imposing rules by dominating knowledge2. Bias on rationality or on intuition3. Diversity in types of modernization 4. How to support diversity in modernization5. When is intercultural exchange a threat and when

an asset.6. Mechanisms and strategies for co-evolution

Compas Presentation

Knowledge in intercultural perspective

Indigenous perspective:

Smith,(Maori): Formal science describe local notions of space, territory, time, numbers, sacred, rituals, initiation, visions, harmony and duality, seniority and morality in external language and concepts. Local management systems and solutions are not taken serious.

Self-determination and revitalization requires:1. Recovery of own ways of explaining, learning, teaching,

experimenting2. Healing and restoring possible deficiencies of local knowing3. Mobilization of all available local resources for creating local

livelihoods4. Transformation aiming at structural improvement of local

knowledge

Compas Presentation

Knowledge in intercultural perspective

Multi-civilisational perspective (Huntington):

Each civilization has its own identity, defined by:- language, - history, - belief, - religion, - customs, - institutions, - self identification- knowledge

Compas Presentation

Early civilizations, religions and

knowledge systems

Civilizations1. Mesopotamia 3500 AC2. Egipto 3200 AC3. Indo 2500 AC4. China 1800 AC5. Grecia 700 AC6. Celtas 200 AC7. Roma 08. Germanos 500 BC9. Mayas 800 DC10. Árabes 800 DC11. Zimbabwe 1200 DC12. Reinos Africanos

Occidentales 1300 DC13. Incas 1400 DC

ReligionsB BudismoC CristianismoH HinduísmoI IslamJ JudaísmoS ShintoismoT Taoismo

Compas Presentation

Process of colonization and domination

• Africa and Latin America: – recipient of western knowledge; hardly longer producer of

own knowledge. Marginalisation.• Asia; India/China:

– written traditions; more continuity: Parallel knowledge• Postcolonial period:

– continuous dominant position of western/global knowledge• Differentiation of western knowledge:

– Neopositivism, Postmodernism, Globalisation• Globalisation and localisation of knowledge

– Penetration of global markets, knowledge and values– Renaissance of African, Asian and American knowledge

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Civilizations ± 2000

Western

Hindu Source: Huntington: Clash of civilizations

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Contemporary sciences• Africa

– Emphasis on WHY– Role of ancestors and elders– Role of spiritual leaders, sacrifices – Hierarchy in divine beings– Sacred character of nature– Cyclic notion of time– Magical powers (+) and (-)c.f. MILLAR

India- Five senses and the mind- If mind is free of prejudices, it can complement the senses and

understand reality from within- Very long time perspective- Meditative techniques c.f. BALU

Compas Presentation

Contemporary sciences

Andes- Emphasis on WHY- Sacred time –space (pacha mama)- Spiral notion of time- Reciprocity- Living astrology- Fiestasc.f. DELGADO

Europe- Enlightenment/Carthesian science: emphasis on HOW- Materialism - Post modernity: diversity, holism, self regulation and chaosc.f. RIST

Compas Presentation

Typology of relations between knowledges

Type

1. Clash or hostilities:Violent occupations, wars, resistance, fights

2. Going undergroundTo avoid repression, hostilities or rejection, local knowledge continues in clandestinity

3. Parallel knowledgeCo-existence of different knowledges without interaction

Examples

Fights between religions, warfor independence

Sjamanism, Maya priestsSpirit medium in Africa

Ayurvedic and bio-medical practicesConventional and bio-dynamic farming

Compas Presentation

Typology of relations between knowledges

4. Utilitarism and selective inclusionDominant science validates local technologies and selectively adopts certain elements

5. Suppression and substitutionDominant system forces indigenous concepts to be substituted

6. PaternalismTraditional knowledge is bottleneck to modernization and must be updated by science from outside

Local herbs for health treatmentsArab mathematicsChinese gunpowder

Missionary conversion of religionsPrivatization of landIntroduction of European languagesRepublican system of governance democracy and laws

Transfer of technology in health and agricultural development

Compas Presentation

Typology of relations between knowledges

7. Syncretism

Beliefs, knowledge and rituals are combined in such a way that both believe that their culture is dominant

8. Romanticism

Local or global knowledge is considered as basically good and romanticized; it should remain as it is.

Carthesian science and Catholicism and Maya c.q. Andean knowledge and beliefs integrated

Going native;Rejection outside contributions Resistance to exchange

Compas Presentation

Typology of relations between knowledges

9. Co-evolutionDifferent knowledges evolve simultaneously by revitalization of own and by interaction with other knowledge

10.Transcultural and transdisciplinary synergyEach knowledge transcedes own limitations and together the different knowledges work towards holistic science that goes beyond the actual disciplinary and paradigmatic limitations

India: exchange and comparing health traditions;Co-existing farm style in Europe;Picads in BoliviaEmpathic Learning and Action in Ghana.

Concept of Gaia;Holistic medicine,

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Typology: Implications

• Power differences explain domination

• Existing knowledges are mutually influenced and interpenetrated

• Typology has political and ethical dimensions: no value free relationship exists.

• Inter-scientific dialogues makes clear starting position with power aspects and epistemological differences (why-how, rationality-intuition).

• Publication only if it serves local interests, protect property rights: in local language, co-authored, not providing technical details

Compas Presentation

Typology: Implications

• Dialogue implies horizontal relationship:–Willingness to listen–Openness to learning–Responsiveness to information,

questions and suggestions–Courage to criticize when considered

necessary• Endogenous development can indicate the

processes or revitalization and conditions and mechanisms of co-evolution

Compas Presentation

Typology: Implications

– Risks of intercultural exchange:• Extraction of local knowledge• Disturbing status quo• Domination by outsiders• Introduction of new lifestyle• Disrespect for culture and spirituality

– Code of Conduct• Accept conditions for hospitality and initiation• Respect for diversity and local values• Be a learner• Support endogenous development

Compas Presentation

Endogenous development

• Development based mainly, but not exclusively, on locally available resources. It has the openness to consider, modify and integrate traditional and outside knowledge. It has mechanisms for local learning and experimenting, building local economies and retention of benefits in the local area.

Cultural/Spiritual

Social

Economic & financial

Produced

Natural

Human

LOCAL USE OF RESOURCES

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

1. Building on local needs and resources

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

2. Improving local knowledge and practices

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

3. Local control of development options

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

4. Identification and use of development niches

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

5. Selective use of external resources

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

6. Retention of benefits in the local area

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

7. Exchange and learning between cultures

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

8. Training and capacity building

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

9. Networking and strategic partnership

Compas Presentation

Supporting local initiatives for endogenous development: 10 entry points

10.Understanding the systems of knowing and learning

Compas Presentation

Selective use of external resources

Understanding systems of knowing & learning

Networking and strategic partnerships

Training and Capacity building

Improving local knowledge and skills

Local control of development

options

Identification of development niches

Building on local needs

Retention of benefits in the local area

Exchange and learning between cultures

SUPPORTING LOCAL INITIATIVES

Cultural/Spiritual

Social

Economic & financial

Produced

Natural

Human

LOCAL USE OF RESOURCES

Compas Presentation

Towards a strategy for co-evolution of knowledges

1. Re-building relationships between different actors: Local people, leaders, NGO’s, governmental and religious agencies, universities, donors and international agencies. Horizontal- supportive

2. Learning about cosmovision and local knowledge Material, Social and Spiritual knowledge

3. Learn from community coping with dominant knowledgeType of relationship, different strategies used to survive, change, co-evolve. Differentiated for social categories

Compas Presentation

Towards a strategy for co-evolution of knowledges

4. Community dialogue and decision about possible interaction with other knowledgeAssess potentials and risks of exchange, take decisions on how to go about contacts.

5. Self defining strong and weak points of local knowledge, and how to deal with it.How and Why, ratio and intuition, dynamics in learning, teaching and innovation

6. Self defining strong and weak points of dominant knowledge, and how to deal with it.How and Why, ratio and intuition, dynamics in learning, teaching and innovation

Compas Presentation

Towards a strategy for co-evolution of knowledges

7. Exchange of experience and CO-EVOLUTION

– exchange epistemologies and paradigms– exchange self-assessment of knowledge systems – look for synergy and complementarity– question and challenge each other– balance power and financial differences– establish mechanisms for exchange and mutual

learning; joint prioritizing planning and implementing research, modification of research methods, exchange in workshops and publications,

Compas Presentation

University Consortium

• Supporting field work• Research on E.D. • Developing a curriculum for university

students on endogenous development• Regional exchange• Theory building based on own

concepts, logic, values• Co-evolution of sciences