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Fostering peer-to-peer exchange of Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK): ILK_Move
ILK_Move is defined by three key aspects: firstly, it represents a group movement/network aimed at strengthening Indigenous and local knowledge within NEAs assessments; secondly, it emphasizes the dynamic and adaptable nature of Indigenous and local knowledge, dispelling the notion of it being static or traditional; and thirdly, it symbolizes the collaborative journey of ILK teams in sailing in the ocean of national ecosystems assessments together, sharing and learning together as they navigate the waters of the NEA.
The ILK_Move was established during the 2023 NEA Initiative Global Workshop, held in Cambridge, United Kingdom, from 27 November to 1 December 2023 with the goal of facilitating peer-to-peer Indigenous and local knowledge exchange and coordinate country-driven global NEA ILK activities. This community is led by the Indigenous and local knowledge focal points from NEA Tranche III countries: Dr Nelson Tselaesele from the Botswana NEA, Alfredo Morillo and Aleyda Capella from the Dominican Republic NEA, Alice Kammwamba and Wellman Kondowe from the Malawi NEA, and Dr. Narumon Arunotai from the Thailand NEA.
For the year 2024, Alice Kammwamba has been designated as the captain, steering the ILK_Move towards its goals through her visionary and enthusiastic leadership.
As captain of the ILK_Move, I am inspired by our collective dedication to preserving, valuing, and celebrating the wisdom of communities worldwide in the NEA initiative. As we weave the ILK with science, I am deeply moved by the profound impact of community wisdom in shaping sustainable solutions to biodiversity and ecosystem management and conservation. Our journey celebrates the transformative power of Indigenous and local knowledge, paving the way for resilient, inclusive, and culturally enriched pathways to influence policy for a sustainable future. Together, we forge pathways for sustainable development rooted in respect, resilience, and shared knowledge.
To ensure continuous engagement and progress, the ILK_Move community holds bi-annual meetings and frequent peer-to-peer sessions. These gatherings are key for sharing Indigenous and local knowledge updates, discussing challenges, and brainstorming solutions. The regular interaction fosters a sense of unity and purpose, enabling members to stay connected and collaboratively advance their work on weaving Indigenous and local wisdom in their NEAs.
A significant highlight of the ILK_Move's activities in 2024 was their involvement in the NEA Global Workshop that took take place in Cambridge, United Kingdom, from 17 to 20 September. This event served as a platform for showcasing the community's achievements, exchanging knowledge with broader country team members, and strengthening the outreach of the NEA ILK work from Tranche III countries. During the ILK_Move peer-to-peer plenary session at the 2024 NEA Global Workshop, Aleyda Capella was appointed as the 2025 captain. In this role, she will lead the bi-annual meetings and oversee global engagements.
The global workshop offered the ILK_Move an opportunity for peer-to-peer ILK capacity enhancement, including through exchange of lessons learned. Also, the team presented key milestones and future collaborative avenues, such as the development of an ILK booklet that would feature case studies from the four countries. The ILK_Move has attained several milestones, for instance, convening 8 peer-to-peer exchange sessions, and producing more than 10 documentaries and videos to foster awareness on the value of ILK inclusion in the NEAs. Furthermore, they are contributing to global biodiversity events to share their in-country experiences and insights. For instance, the ILK_Move's contributed to the during the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Fourth Meeting for the Subsidiary Board on Implementation (SBI-04) that was held in Nairobi, Kenya, in May 2024. Also, the ILK_Move is also contributing to the ongoing Human Rights-Based Approach dialogue series co-organized by BES-Net, SwedBio and partners to advance its implementation in biodiversity and climate action.
Furthermore, on 9th December 2024, during Stakeholder Day at the Eleventh Session of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Plenary (IPBES11), held in Windhoek, Namibia, Alice Kammwamba represented the ILK_Move and shared the community’s goals and achievements with the broader IPBES community. A poster showcasing some of ILK_Move's accomplishments on weaving ILK on national ecosystem assessments and raising ILK visibility at a global level was showcased during this session. Access the poster .
