[F06] The role of local and traditional knowledge in mountain resilience research
Conference Bldg 2F - Sakura Hall
| Affiliation | United Nations University EHS |
|---|---|
| Presenter | schneiderbauer stefan |
Keywords
- Mountain resilience research
- Local knowledge
- Cocreation solutions
Outline
Today, many people living in mountainous areas worldwide face fundamental changes to their cultural and economic living conditions. This is against the background that mountain communities have defied harsh environments in the past by adapting to changing natural conditions and showing remarkable levels of resilience. High social and cultural capital are cornerstones of such resilience for communities in disaster-prone peripheral mountain areas. Rooted in local climate and traditional knowledge, many mountain communities have depended on some form of pastoralism and subsistence agriculture for centuries.
This paper scrutinizes resilience-related topics in mountain areas focusing on local and traditional knowledge. It is based on a review of English language scientific literature on mountain resilience altogether. In general, existing research across disciplines reiterates the importance of codeveloping strategies to build resilience with local communities. Engaging communities as change agents in their specific cultural and geographical contexts can help build long-term resilience by supporting both adaptation to changing environmental conditions and transformation toward sustainability. There is an increasing awareness that existing knowledge gaps can be addressed by relying on local knowledge and cocreating solutions with communities. Leveraging local knowledge about resources, particularly insights gained through women, can help communities systemically adapt to change.
