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15 July 2008

The Department of Science and Technology established the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Office (NIKSO) to increase public awareness, understanding, knowledge and appreciation of indigenous knowledge systems (IKS), among other things. NIKSO has created an appropriate platform through the Interdepartmental Committee on IKS to co-ordinate and promote the good work of different departments working with issues of indigenous knowledge. In light of this situation, the Department of Science and Technology requests your department’s continued co-operation and active participation in the forthcoming inaugural IKS EXPO scheduled to take place from 4 to 9 August 2008.

Purpose of the Inaugural IKS Expo

The primary objectives of the Expo are to:
* raise awareness of IKS
* demonstrate the richness of South Africa’s IKS
* showcase innovation emerging from IKS
* highlight the interrelatedness of IKS with other disciplines.

The theme of the exhibition is “Indigenous ways of knowing, works” which means there is a need for development, promotion and protection of our indigenous knowledge i.e. indigenous knowledge in development, innovation and interfacing with other forms of knowledge.

Interdepartmental collaboration

The Expo is being organised in collaboration with other government departments in order to provide them with the opportunity to expose and promote IKS activities and projects in which they are involved. Departments will also be able to engage other stakeholders on IKS related matters by hosting a parallel session on a topic of their choice during the Expo. These sessions are intended to stimulate thought-provoking discussions on IKS themes.

It would be appreciated if an official of an appropriate rank in your department could be assigned to work with the Expo interdepartmental task team, which will be managing the process set out in the attached business plan. The programme for the Expo will be made available as soon as it has been confirmed by the task team.

Participants will include government institutions, science councils, universities, civil society and indigenous knowledge holders and practitioners. It would be appreciated if each department would invite the relevant public entities under them to participate.

For registration of Exhibition and Workshop, please feel free to log onto RPM Events and Décor Company at http://www.rpmdecor.co.za/ or
Contact:
Ms Rakgadi Motloba or Ms Jo-Anne Wyngaardt
Tel: 011 316 7377
Fax: 011 316 3168
Cell: 072 224 3552
E-mail: Rakgadi.Motloba@rpmdecor.co.za

Your department’s role in the inaugural IKS Expo is crucial, and we are counting on your support.

Issued by: Department of Science and Technology
15 July 2008
Source: Department of Science and Technology (http://www.dst.gov.za/)