Traditional Knowledge Initiative

Since 2004, the United Nations University (UNU) has been exploring the feasibility of establishing a United Nations University Research and Training Centre (RTC) on Traditional Knowledge (TK). The RTC on TK is also referred to as the TK Institute. A central part of this process has been gauging support for the TK Institute amongst a wide range of stakeholders including indigenous persons and organisations, government representatives, academic institutions, the philanthropic community and international organisations.

The consultations have demonstrated universal support for the TK Institute which has the potential to play a key role in efforts addressing TK and indigenous communities. The UNU TKI will investigate the threats to TK, methods to maintain TK, and the resilience of TK systems. It will consider the links between conventional and indigenous scientific systems while addressing some of the important questions this raises both in terms of research and capacity development. Charles Darwin University (CDU) located in Darwin, Australia was identified as a potential host for the TK Institute. The consultations emphasized that the TK Institute must develop a strong and effective network of partner organisations in order to complement existing efforts and work in a meaningful way with indigenous people in the region.

A UNU-IAS pilot research programme on TK was established in 2007 with the generous support of the Christensen Fund, a leading US based foundation active in the areas of cultural and biological diversity. The pilot programme is an important step in the process towards the establishment of a permanent UNU TKI.

Key pilot activities include:

In August 2007, the Northern Territory Government, Australia formally announced its initial commitment of $2.5m AUD (approx $2.2m USD) to support a centre of excellence and the establishment of a UNU TK Institute at CDU. A celebratory launch was held at CDU in Darwin, Australia on 12 December 2007.

For further information, please visit the Traditional Knowledge Initiative website at: www.unutki.org