Special Programmes

Traditional Knowledge Initiative

In December 2007, the UNU-IAS Centre of Traditional Knowledge was launched at Charles Darwin University in Australia. This centre, as part of the UNU-IAS Traditional Knowledge Initiative, is an important step in the process to establish a permanent UNU Research and Training Centre on TK in Australia. The TKI aims to promote and strengthen research on TK through joint research projects with Australian and international universities, indigenous and regional networks and other institutions at a global level informed by local level involvement of Indigenous peoples and local communities. To promote the work of the TK Initiative, the TK Bulletin has been in publication since March 2007 and a dedicated website for the Initiative was launched in April 2008 (www.unutki.org).

UNU-IAS International Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa, Japan (OUIK)

This UNU-IAS International Operating Unit, launched in April 2008 aims to provide local and regional inputs into UNU efforts on sustainable development and international cooperation. The current focus is the sustainable management of satoyama and satoumi in the Hokuriku region. In addition to its role as the coordinating office for the work of the Hoku-Shinetsu Cluster in the Sub-Global Assessment Project (Japan SGA), the Unit organizes various policy-related symposiums and events.

OUIK is a transform entity of the former IICRC:

Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre

The Ishikawa International Cooperation Research Centre (IICRC) implements projects to develop and promote international cooperation in the fields of science, technology and culture. The organisation is jointly formed by the United Nations University (UNU), Ishikawa Prefecture Government and the City of Kanazawa, and was established on 3 October 1996.

The overall aim of the centre is to provide local input into UNU efforts on sustainable development and international cooperation. In this context, IICRC acts as a programme office for UNU-IAS. The Centre has recently moved into the area of culture in sustainable urban and regional development. Its main activities include research and organising international conferences, lectures, and other events.

More on IICRC.