I NDIGENOUS K NOWLEDGE S YSTEMS & D EVELOPMENT OF THE M OUNTAINOUS R EGIONS OF C RETE:

1. INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS & DEVELOPMENT OF THE MOUNTAINOUS REGIONS OF CRETE: The University of the Mountains’ Contribution to the Renaissance of the Island’s Cultural Heritage Workshop on the Development of the University of the Mountains in Crete Heraklion, 2 June 2010 Prof.Dr.Dr. (h.c.) L. Jan Slikkerveer LEAD-Leiden University The Netherlands

2. *History of the Development of Science in • Western Europe is based on two major • events: - “The Renaissance” • - “The Great Explorations” • European Renaissance of the 14th–16th century: • Re-orientation on the “Classical Greek Culture” • of the Mediterranean : - naturalistic philosophy • - humoral medicine • - herbal remedies • Formative period of modern medicine at Leiden University: • Dr. Hermanus Boerhave and the Leiden Hortus Botanicus • Cosmopolitan medicine of the 20th century Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 2

3. “The Great Explorations” of Europe of 15th-17th century • Provided the contributions and causes of exploration and colonization –> European Expansion • The concentration of science & technology in Western European centers of research & education: • Modern universities and academia, situated in the big cities of Western Europe & North America as Centers of Excellence: • accumulation of an international body of empirical, experimental, rational and value-free knowledge and practice, established in writings & publications in many disciplines Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 3

4. Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 4

5. *By the mid-20thth century, the progress of this body of Western or Modern Science, extended with significant inventions in Science & Technology, rendered it a predominant position • in the global society • This led to the Europe-centric philosophy of science of • Knowledge Generation → Knowledge Transfer → Knowledge Utilisation • based on the researcher’sown etic point of view – the outsiders perspective – on the universe, and laid the foundation for the development paradigm of post-WW II of “Development from the Top”, where knowledge & techno-nology were represented as to flow from Western coun-tries to Non-Western countries in a uni-linear process. Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 5

6. *During the second part of the 20thth century, however, a counter-movement in science developed among cognitive anthropolgists, known as ethnoscience, whereby the researcher would seek to obtain the peoples’ emic point of view – the insiders perspective – of the universe. • This led to the universal philosophy of science of • Knowledge Generation ↔ Knowledge Exchange ↔ Knowledge Utilisation • and as such laid the foundation for the development paradigm of “Development from the Bottom”, where knowledge & technology are represented in an interactive mode as to be generated in and exchanged between Western and Non-Western countries in a rather mutual and equal process. Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 6

7. Following the early rather static ethnoscience studies in ethnomedicine, ethnobotany, etno-biology, ethnohistory and ethnolinguistics - producing numerous local classifications and taxonomies – the 1990’s witnessed a more dynamic approach to the study of ethnoscience in interaction with modern science, focussing on Indigenous Knowledge Systems & Development IKS are defined as local systems of knowledge and technology which have evolved in specific commu-nities or culture areas over many generations, often outside Western research laboratories and research centers, and which are the basis for decision-making processes (Warren, Slikkerveer & Briokensha 1995). Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 7

8. While IKS have largely been studied in rather isolated regions of rural and mountainous peoples and their cultures around the globe, providing innovative wisdom to modern Science & Technology in many sectors of the society, the growing disappointment in Western societies with many “achievements” of modern science in terms of lossofcultural wisdom, values and lifestyles, has led to a re-orientation and revitalization of IKS, both in science and in society. Over the past decades, IKS has gained respect and recognition in subsequent sectors, as follows: 1980’s - medicine -> traditional medicine & CAM 1990’s - agriculture -> agro-ecology 2000’s - environment –> traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) 1005’s - conservation of bio-cultural diversity (IMS) 2010’s - microfinance management -> reduction of poverty MDG Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 8

9. My personal contribution to the recognition and develop-ment of the interdisciplinary field of ethnoscience, specifically IKS & Development started with my Medical-Anthropological research in the Horn of Africa, followed by similar studies in Kenya,Tanzania, Indonesia and Crete, which later evolved into the interdisciplinary field of Medical Anthropology & Medical Ethnobotany. • Back in 1987, I set up together with the late Prof. Mike Warren (ISU) the CIKARD-LEAD Global Network of IKS&D, encompassing 8.000 Members and 35 IK-Centers around the globe, supported by our IK&D Monitor (CIRAN-NUFFIC). • In 1995, I co-authored a handbook on IKS&D, published by Intermediate Technology Publications in London (ITP). • Today, most of these IK&D Centers have expanded and are involved in further bringing together a growing body of traditional knowledge & practice in many fields of study. Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 9

10. Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 10

11. In Crete, with its rich cultural heritage, I have the privilege to work for many years with MAICH on resp. the INDAKS, MEDUSA & IMM Projects, and with UoC in MAE Post-Graduate Fieldwork Training, and in Teaching in the MPH and GP&PC Courses. • in 1985, Prof. Philalithis was so kind to co-supervise on anad hoc basis one of my individual students from Leiden University in health systems research training in Crete, • in 1987, there was the beginning of more structural co- operation with Prof. Lionis in fieldwork training in Medical Anthropology & Social Medicine of 1 or 2 students per year from Leiden University under the auspices of ERASMUS. • in the course of the 1990’s, Prof. Lionis also established ELLRIK as one of the Centers of the CIKARD-LEAD Global Network on IK&D. Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 11

12. The recent initiative of Prof. Pallikaris to establish in Crete the University of the Mountains links up very well with our joint research & training, specifically in health and healing in Crete, where we have accumulated over the past 25 years an interesting body of knowledge at MA/MSc level in tradi-tional & modern medicine, showing IKS encapsulated in: • Local knowledge & practice of medicinal plants & herbs • Traditional remedies for chronic diseases, allergies and • mental disorders: • All as part of the rich cultural heritage of the mountainous peoples and cultures of Crete. • This treasure needs to be documented, studied, analysed and re-integrated into a community-based local-global way of life before it is too late: • The set-up of a Mountain Center as a first step to the establishment of the University of the Mountains in Crete Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 12

13. TENTATIVE ORGANOGRAM OF THE UoM PROJECT IN CRETE International Advisory Board Steering Committee University of the Mountains Leiden University University of Crete MAICH Other Universities Ellrik Local Organisations & Institutions Local Museums Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - 13

14. *CONCLUSION* AFTER THE IMPORTANT STEPS TAKEN SO FAR, THE NEXT ACTION TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE MOUNTAINS IN CRETE MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Set-up of a Mountain Center in Crete 2. Select a suitable & accessible location 3. identify its general aim & specific objectives: - documentation - research - training - community service 4. Set up an (Inter)national Consortium with relevant Board and Committee(s) 5. Select experts & staff 6. Prepare a UoM project proposal 7. Identify an appropriate funding agency Prof.Dr. L.J. Slikkerveer, LEAD, Leiden University: Workshop Development of the UoM in Crete - Ω