The International Science, Technology, and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC) under UNESCO, in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and its constituent units, is organizing a Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Conclave on “Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods.” The event will take place from 29-31 July 2024 in New Delhi, India.
Inauguration and Key Speakers
- Inaugural Ceremony: The first STI Conclave was inaugurated by Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of DSIR.
- Guests of Honour:
- Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad.
- Dr. Benno Boer, UNESCO Natural Science Specialist, New Delhi.
- Plenary Talk: Delivered by Prof. Anant Darshan Shankar, Founder and Vice Chancellor of Trans-Disciplinary University (TDU), Bengaluru.
Conclave Focus and Objectives
The three-day Conclave features internationally acclaimed speakers from India discussing various topics including:
- Biodiversity
- Traditional cultural expressions
- Integrative health and research
- National and international policies on Traditional Knowledge (TK), Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), and related issues
- South-South Cooperation
The event aims to:
- Promote understanding and enhance academic and professional capabilities in digitization, preservation, and protection of Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property.
- Provide a platform for exchanging information on challenges related to TK and best practices for safeguarding TK.
Contributions and Insights
- Dr. N. Kalaiselvi: Emphasized the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern science and technology to address global sustainability concerns.
- Dr. Srinivasa Reddy: Highlighted CSIR’s efforts in validating and integrating traditional medicines with modern science to improve healthcare.
- Dr. Benno Boer: Discussed the role of education, science, and culture in achieving sustainability, and the importance of UNESCO’s platforms for biodiversity and local knowledge systems.
Participant and Regional Focus
The Conclave attracts participants from:
- Indonesia
- Philippines
- Nepal
- Democratic Republic of Congo
- Kenya
- Malaysia
- India
The event aims to foster collaborative learning models and expand partnerships and networks to address regional development challenges through sustainable living and local knowledge systems.
About ISTIC
The International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC), a UNESCO Category 2 Centre hosted by the Malaysian Government since 2008, operates under a six-year agreement with UNESCO. Its mission is to offer sustainable programs and services to enhance development for South-South Cooperation, while its vision is to lead in STI and support socio-economic development for developing countries.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the main theme of the STI Conclave organized by ISTIC and its partners?
- A) Modern Technology Innovations
- B) Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods
- C) Advanced Healthcare Solutions
- D) Digital Transformation in Science
- Who inaugurated the first STI Conclave?
- A) Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy
- B) Dr. Benno Boer
- C) Prof. Anant Darshan Shankar
- D) Dr. N. Kalaiselvi
- Which of the following topics was NOT mentioned as a focus of the Conclave?
- A) Integrative health and research
- B) Traditional cultural expressions
- C) Space Exploration Technologies
- D) National and international policies on TK
- Which organization is hosting the STI Conclave?
- A) UNESCO
- B) CSIR
- C) ISTIC
- D) Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI)
- Which countries are represented by participants at the Conclave?
- A) Japan, China, South Korea
- B) Brazil, Argentina, Chile
- C) Indonesia, Philippines, Nepal
- D) United States, Canada, Mexico