CTSS IPB University Develops Local Wisdom Encyclopedia from Essay and Video Contest Works
IPB University’s Center for Transdisciplinary and Sustainability Sciences (CTSS) has developed an encyclopedia of local wisdom from the work of the community. The encyclopedia can be accessed through https://ctss.ipb.ac.id/
Chairperson of CTSS IPB University, Prof Damayanti Buchori, explained that she tried to explore and understand the sustainability of local wisdom that has been applied by the community for generations.
One of the efforts made by CTSS today is the co-creation of knowledge not only from universities or educational institutions, but also from local wisdom.
She stated, “CTSS views that sustainability science means also exploring existing knowledge, such as local wisdom that has been practiced by the community side by side with nature.”
“CTSS sees that to realize sustainability science in the future, it can embrace various types of knowledge,” said Prof Damayanti in the General Lecture and Announcement of Winners of the 5th Essay Contest and Documentary Short Video on Local/Traditional Knowledge at IPB Baranangsiang Campus, Bogor (14/9).
Prof Damayanti continued, one of the potentials that have not been embraced by universities is how science and local wisdom can be processed into new, more comprehensive knowledge to realize sustainability.
The person in charge of the activity, Prof Husin Alatas added, since its establishment in 2018, CTSS has organized this competition five times. In the fifth contest this year, a total of 422 works were collected by the participants.
“These essays and short documentary videos on local wisdom become material for CTSS in developing an encyclopedia and anthology of local wisdom. This encyclopedia and anthology is one of CTSS’s efforts to document local wisdom applied by the community,” said Prof Husin.
The Executive Secretary of CTSS IPB University continued, “The encyclopedia of local wisdom is a form of CTSS’s effort to invite the community to always take care of the earth and the knowledge of our ancestors which is our identity.”
Meanwhile, Grants Coordinator of Samdhana Institute, Nurul Chairunnisa, who also attended the General Lecture, said that Samdhana Institute dedicates its knowledge and experience to indigenous peoples and local communities.
She said that local knowledge and wisdom that has long been owned by the community is now starting to fade. “The younger generation is expected to understand, preserve and revive the local wisdom. Young people have an important role in maintaining cultural heritage that is close to their community,” she said.
Lecturer in Anthropology at the University of Indonesia, Rhino Ariefiansyah, MEAP also explained the material about efforts to dissect the dichotomy of local knowledge and science.
According to him, it is important to understand the interrelationship between the two to recognize that local knowledge has an equally important value as science in providing solutions to the challenges that exist in society. (dr/Rz) (IAAS/Hap)
