Ibaloy, Coordinator of COD-ILK

The global network of Centers of Distinction on Indigenous and Local Knowledge (COD-ILK) was established to synergize actions by organisations of indigenous peoples and local communities with respect to traditional knowledge.

Priorities for collaborative work include 1) engagement with knowledge – policy platforms at all levels (including IPBES), 2) strengthening community participatory research, 3) intergenerational transmission of knowledge from elders to youth and vice-versa, and cultural exchanges amongst communities and organisations on relevant themes.

This newsletter supports all the above-mentioned strategic functions identified by the CODILK, by highlighting initiatives and work undertaken by the network and for the purposes of knowledge exchange. Members have committed to produce these newsletters in turn, rotating  monthly across different regions.

This first newsletter produced by Philippine-based members – Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines (PIKP) and Tebtebba Foundation will be followed by a second issue produced by members in central America – Sotzi’l Centre, Guatemala and Fundacion para la Promocion del Conocimiento Indigena (FPCI), Panama.

Great satisfaction accompanies the launch of this newsletter, as it marks continued institutional strengthening and collaboration by the network and with valued partners despite restrictions arising from COVID19 pandemic. Travel funds for global meetings are being put to use for local initiatives and global knowledge exchange. Financial contribution by Swedbio, at the Stockholm Resilience Centre is gratefully acknowledged.