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About the 9th International Symposium on "Indigenous Knowledge Studies"

The 9th International Symposium on Indigenous Knowledge Studies (IKS) is a prestigious academic event organized by Arba Minch University. It brings together researchers, scholars, practitioners, and policymakers to engage in multidisciplinary dialogue on the study, documentation, preservation, and application of indigenous knowledge systems. 

This symposium bridges the gap between traditional wisdom and modern academic research, promoting context-sensitive solutions to global challenges in sustainability and social development..

 

Core Research Themes:

 

1. Governance, Peace, and Social Policy

These themes focus on the structural and legal integration of indigenous practices into national frameworks.

·         Governance & Law: Examining customary laws and indigenous governance systems to inform modern policy and justice.

·         Conflict Resolution: Utilizing traditional methodologies for reconciliation, social cohesion, and building national consensus.

·         Education: Strategies for integrating indigenous knowledge into formal education through mother-tongue and community-based learning.

2. Sustainability, Environment, and Heritage

These themes focus on the physical world, health, and economic development through cultural preservation.

·         Environmental Resilience: Leveraging traditional ecological knowledge for climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.

·         Medicinal Practices: Researching indigenous health systems and ethnomedicine for sustainable healthcare.

·         Heritage & Economy: Exploring how indigenous culture drives sustainable tourism and community-led development.

·         Communication & Diversity: Protecting linguistic diversity and cultural identity as a foundation for global communication.

 

Submission Standards

 

To maintain high academic rigor, all contributors must adhere to the following technical guidelines:

·         Abstracts: Must be a maximum of 300 words.

·         Full Papers: Limited to 8,000 words, excluding abstracts and references.

·         Formatting: Submissions must be in Microsoft Word format, using Times New Roman, Font size 12, and 1.5 line spacing.

·         Required Details: Authors must include full contact details (Email and Phone Number), full name, and institutional affiliation.

·         Originality: All submissions must be original, unpublished, and not currently under review elsewhere.

·         Publication Output: All accepted papers will be published in the official conference proceedings.

·         Journal Opportunity: Outstanding papers will be considered for publication in the Arba Minch University Journal of Culture and Language Studies (AMU-JCLS).

 

Contact & Submissions

 

·         Submission Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

·         Official Website: www.amu.edu.et/en/iks-home

·         Inquiries: +251 912 281 474 or +251 918 506 074

 

Arba Minch University's Role

 

The 9th International Symposium on Indigenous Knowledge Studies is a flagship initiative of the Institute of Culture and Language Research and Training at Arba Minch University. Situated in a region abundant in linguistic, cultural, and indigenous heritage, the University views indigenous knowledge not as a relic of the past, but as a living and valuable resource for addressing contemporary societal challenges. Arba Minch University serves as the intellectual anchor of the symposium by utilizing its academic expertise and institutional mandate to advance research and practice in indigenous knowledge.

· Acting as a Knowledge Hub: Utilizing the Institute of Culture and Language Research and Training as a center of excellence to study, document, preserve, and validate indigenous knowledge systems.

· Facilitating Multidisciplinary Dialogue: Providing a rigorous academic platform where indigenous knowledge holders, researchers, and practitioners engage in meaningful exchange to promote social cohesion and inclusive development.

· Policy Advocacy: Translating evidence-based indigenous knowledge research into actionable insights for governance, environmental sustainability, conflict resolution, and national peace-building.

·  Empowerment through Education: Promoting the integration of indigenous knowledge into formal and informal education systems in Ethiopia and beyond.