International Indigenous Knowledge Conference

South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology in partnership with the North West University are currently hosting the Indigenous Knowledge Conference in Pretoria, South Africa. The theme for the 2018 International Conference is explores "Protecting Indigenous Knowledge towards Socio-economic Development”. This theme emphasises the pivotal role that protecting indigenous knowledge (IK) from exploitation can play in creating a prosperous socio-economic environment for indigenous communities, rooted in the rich cultural heritage that IK encompasses. This protection will ensure that the socio-economic benefits arising from utilising indigenous knowledge as a communal resource will flow back into the local communities who are the generators and custodians of this knowledge. To help us unpack some of the topics of discussion, we have :1. South African Minister of Science and Technology, Ms Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane2. Dr Yonah Seleti, Chief Director at the The Department of Science and Technology (DST), South Africa3. Prof. Philip Iya, Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) Centre at North West University