Culture in the knowledge society

Cultural diversity is in danger [due to] the tendency towards homogenization of cultures, previously believed to be the result of development or "progress" and now commonly attributed to "globalization". (Op cit, p147)

UNESCO argues that knowledge sharing can be defined as "the quest for consensual truth" and that this can be reconciled with the pluralism of values and the proliferation of forms of self-expression.

Firstly some important definitions...

Culture -

• "Culture should be regarded as the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of a society or a social group, and ...encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together, value systems, traditions andbeliefs" (from UNESCO's Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity, 2001)

Local and/or indigenous knowledge -

• "Local and indigenous knowledge refers to the cumulative and complex bodies of knowledge, know-how, practices and representations that are maintained and devloped by peoples with extended histories of interactions with the natural environment" (from UNESCO's Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems programme)

Intangible heritage -

• "the practices, representations, expressions, as well as the knowledge and skills, that communities, groups and, in some cases, individuals recognize as part of their cultural heritage. It is sometimes called living cultural heritage, and is manifested interalia in the following domains: oral traditions and expressions, including language as a vehicle of the intangible cultural heritage; performing arts; social practices, rituals and festive events; knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe; traditional craftsmanship. The intangible heritage is transmitted from generation to generation, and is constantly recreated by communities and groups, in response to their environment, their interaction with nature, and their historical conditions of existence. It provides people with a sense of identity and continuity, and its safeguarding promotes, sustains, and develops cultural diversity and creativity" (see UNESCO initiatives on intangible heritage)

Will it be possible to develop knowledge societies with hybridised knowledge, combining local/indigenous and scientific/technological forms and approaches? The incorporation of local knowledge into development projects has a range of advantages (p148/149). The loss of culture, of language, of expression is a loss of a particular way of seeing the world.

Photo credit: Justin McIntosh, 2004.