2nd YSI workshop at 2025 SRI Africa Satellite Event

Following the success of the first YSI workshop at the Sustainability Research & Innovation (SRI) Africa Satellite Event in Durban, South Africa, YSI is pleased to announce the call for abstracts for the second edition. This workshop will take place from June 4–6, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, under the theme: “Integrating Indigenous Knowledge Systems into Environmental Decision-Making.”

Workshop Overview

Indigenous Knowledge Systems (IKS) are deeply rooted in centuries of observation, adaptation, and interaction with local ecosystems. These knowledge traditions embody sustainable practices and a holistic understanding of nature, offering valuable insights that can complement scientific methodologies in addressing pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource degradation.

This workshop aims to explore effective strategies for integrating IKS into environmental decision-making processes to foster inclusive, culturally sensitive, and impactful solutions. By bridging indigenous wisdom with scientific approaches, the session seeks to create actionable pathways that reflect both ecological realities and community priorities. Case studies—such as traditional forest conservation in Gabon or water management systems in Sub-Saharan Africa—illustrate how IKS can enhance resilience, promote sustainability, and empower marginalized communities.

Workshop Objectives

The workshop will focus on developing practical frameworks for collaboration between young scholars, indigenous communities, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. Key topics will include:
– Recognition of Indigenous Rights: Ensuring equitable participation in environmental governance.
– Ethical Use of Traditional Knowledge: Addressing concerns related to knowledge appropriation and fair benefit-sharing.
– Innovative Policy and Governance Models: Institutionalizing IKS within national and local decision-making frameworks.
– Transdisciplinary Approaches: Merging indigenous knowledge with scientific research to create holistic sustainability strategies.

Call for Contributions

We invite transdisciplinary case studies that offer actionable insights into integrating IKS into environmental governance. Submissions should highlight practical applications, propose long-term partnerships, and amplify the voices of indigenous communities in shaping a sustainable future.

Eligibility: 
– Submissions must focus on an African case study.
– Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words.
– The submission deadline is April 30, 2025.
– Selected authors will be notified two weeks after the deadline.

Expected Outcomes

1. Practical Solutions: Participants will collaboratively design strategies to incorporate IKS into local and national sustainability policies, with applications in climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and resource management.
2. Partnerships: The workshop will facilitate connections between young scholars and the Future Earth/SRI community—including indigenous leaders, researchers, and policymakers—to foster long-term collaborations based on mutual respect and shared goals.
3. Innovative Frameworks: By addressing barriers such as knowledge inequities and power imbalances, participants will propose governance models that institutionalize IKS in decision-making processes.
4. Knowledge Dissemination: The workshop will generate a summary of key insights and actionable recommendations, to be shared with participants and the broader Future Earth/SRI community, inspiring replication and scalability.

We encourage applications from individuals based in Nairobi, Kenya, as our funding is limited. Selected applicants will be responsible for arranging their own travel and covering the conference registration fee. However, accommodation and dinner will be provided for the duration of the conference, along with a small stipend.

We look forward to receiving insightful contributions that advance the integration of indigenous knowledge into environmental governance for a more inclusive and sustainable future.

For any inquiries, please contact nzeherbert87@yahoo.fr