Overview

IK is the basis for local-level decision
making in:

-- Agriculture,
-- Health care,
-- Food preparation,
-- Education,
-- Natural-resource management, and
-- A host of other activities in communities.
   

IK is dynamic and continuously evolves and innovates. 

Investing in the exchange of IK and its integration into the assistance programs of the World Bank and its development partners can help to reduce poverty.    

Examples of how the application of community-based practices have helped achieve substantive development results in the MDG areas include:

• Reducing maternal mortality in Uganda
• Distribution of food aid in Nepal
• Abolition of female circumcision/mutilation by women of Malicounda in Senegal
• Postpartum maternal and child health care rites among the Ibo in Nigeria

IK provides problem solving strategies for local communities, especially for the poor.

 

IK represents an important contribution to global development knowledge.

IK systems are at risk of becoming extinct.

IK is relevant for the development process.

IK is an underutilized resource in the development process

Learning from IK, by investigating first what local communities know and have, can improve understanding of local conditions and provide a productive context for activities designed to help the communities.

Recognition of IK and its application in the development process is a source of empowerment for local communities.

New Action Plan for 2005 and Beyond