This presentation is part of the 5th African Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) Conference in Uganda, 14-16 October 2015

1. THE 5TH AFRICAN
REGIONAL CENTRE OF
EXPERTISE (RCE)
CONFERENCE, UGANDA;
14TH TO 16TH OCTOBER
2015

2. PROMOTING INDIGENOUSPROMOTING INDIGENOUS
KNOWLEDGE AND CULTURALKNOWLEDGE AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE THROUGH ESD.HERITAGE THROUGH ESD.
THE CASE OF RCE BUEA.THE CASE OF RCE BUEA.
Presented by: Masango Sone,Presented by: Masango Sone,
Executive Director, Green Cameroon,Executive Director, Green Cameroon,
Chair, RCE Buea, CameroonChair, RCE Buea, Cameroon

3. When an elder dies, a library burnsWhen an elder dies, a library burns
• Objectives: highlighting issuesObjectives: highlighting issues
experienced with indigenous/traditionalexperienced with indigenous/traditional
knowledge conservation in Cameroon andknowledge conservation in Cameroon and
how RCE Buea uses ESD to tackle them.how RCE Buea uses ESD to tackle them.

4. Indigenous knowledge (IK)/Traditional knowledge (TK),Indigenous knowledge (IK)/Traditional knowledge (TK),
Indigenous knowledge (IK) is the local knowledge or knowledge thatIndigenous knowledge (IK) is the local knowledge or knowledge that
is unique to a given culture or society. IK contrasts with theis unique to a given culture or society. IK contrasts with the
international knowledge system generated by universities, researchinternational knowledge system generated by universities, research
institutions and private firms. It is the basis for local-level decisioninstitutions and private firms. It is the basis for local-level decision
making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education,making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education,
natural-resource management, and a host of other activities in ruralnatural-resource management, and a host of other activities in rural
communities. (Warren 1991)communities. (Warren 1991)
Traditional knowledge (TK) is knowledge, know-how, skills andTraditional knowledge (TK) is knowledge, know-how, skills and
practices that are developed, sustained and passed on frompractices that are developed, sustained and passed on from
generation to generation within a community, often forming part ofgeneration to generation within a community, often forming part of
its cultural or spiritual identity.its cultural or spiritual identity.

5. • While there is not yet a generally accepted definition of TK/IK at theWhile there is not yet a generally accepted definition of TK/IK at the
international level, it is generally accepted that, they can be found ininternational level, it is generally accepted that, they can be found in
a wide variety of contexts, including: agricultural, scientific,a wide variety of contexts, including: agricultural, scientific,
technical, ecological and medicinal knowledge as well astechnical, ecological and medicinal knowledge as well as
biodiversity-related knowledge.biodiversity-related knowledge.
• The scope of this paper is limited to indigenous/traditionalThe scope of this paper is limited to indigenous/traditional
knowledge as related to ecological and health care issuesknowledge as related to ecological and health care issues

6. Traditional Medicine and the Use of PlantsTraditional Medicine and the Use of Plants
Traditional medicine refers to health practices, approaches,
knowledge and beliefs incorporating plant, animal and mineral based
medicines, spiritual therapies, manual techniques and exercises,
applied singularly or in combination to treat, diagnose and prevent
illnesses or maintain well-being.
In our case we shall be looking at traditional knowledge in the use of
plants for the treatment of diseases in and around the Mount
Cameroon Forest Region of Cameroon.

7. CameroonCameroon
• Cameroon has about 90% of the AfricanCameroon has about 90% of the African
ecosystems which includes; the Sahelian,ecosystems which includes; the Sahelian,
Sudan, humid tropical forest, afro mountains,Sudan, humid tropical forest, afro mountains,
coastal and mountain eco-regionscoastal and mountain eco-regions
• 5th in Africa after the republic of Congo, South5th in Africa after the republic of Congo, South
Africa, Madagascar and Tanzania (Letouzey,Africa, Madagascar and Tanzania (Letouzey,
1985; Cunningham, 1993).1985; Cunningham, 1993).

8. CameroonCameroon
• There seems to be a permanent effort to improve theThere seems to be a permanent effort to improve the
relationship between conventional medicine andrelationship between conventional medicine and
traditional medicine in Cameroon. Indeed, as far back astraditional medicine in Cameroon. Indeed, as far back as
1979, a unit of traditional medicine was created within1979, a unit of traditional medicine was created within
the Department of Health.the Department of Health.
• In 1981, a Traditional Medicine Unit was set up in theIn 1981, a Traditional Medicine Unit was set up in the
Central Hospital, Yaoundé, followed in 1989 by theCentral Hospital, Yaoundé, followed in 1989 by the
creation of a Community Health and Traditional Medicinecreation of a Community Health and Traditional Medicine
Service with a Unit in charge of Traditional Medicine.Service with a Unit in charge of Traditional Medicine.

9. Issues posed against TraditionalIssues posed against Traditional
Medicine(TM)Medicine(TM)
• incorrect diagnosisincorrect diagnosis
• improper dosageimproper dosage
• low hygienic standardslow hygienic standards
• Secrecy of some healing methodsSecrecy of some healing methods
• absence of written records about the patientsabsence of written records about the patients
• No limits to what healers can cureNo limits to what healers can cure
• Lack of scientific evidence to validate claimsLack of scientific evidence to validate claims
• Hit and miss is commonHit and miss is common
(LeBeau, 1998; Teklehaymanot, 2009)(LeBeau, 1998; Teklehaymanot, 2009)

10. SetbacksSetbacks
• lack of institutional support for productionlack of institutional support for production
• low priceslow prices
• Lack of appropriate technology for post harvest and pre-processingLack of appropriate technology for post harvest and pre-processing
purposespurposes
• Insufficient documentation and scientific experimentation forInsufficient documentation and scientific experimentation for
verification of the herbalist's claimsverification of the herbalist's claims
• Lack of preservation of medicinal extracts for extended shelf lifeLack of preservation of medicinal extracts for extended shelf life
(MINSANTE, 2007; Jiofack et al., 2009).(MINSANTE, 2007; Jiofack et al., 2009).

11. DisadvantagesDisadvantages
• Inappropriate for some conditions such as accidents, diagnosticsInappropriate for some conditions such as accidents, diagnostics
and emergenciesand emergencies
• Lack of dosage instructionsLack of dosage instructions
• Poison risk associated with wild herbsPoison risk associated with wild herbs
• Medication interactionsMedication interactions
• Lack of regulationLack of regulation

12. AdvantagesAdvantages
• Plays important role in scientific researchPlays important role in scientific research
• Is the main source of health care in local communitiesIs the main source of health care in local communities
• Reduced risk of side effectsReduced risk of side effects
• Effectives with chronic conditionsEffectives with chronic conditions
• Lower costLower cost
• Widespread availabilityWidespread availability
• Mostly natural without risksMostly natural without risks

13. ReccommendationsReccommendations
For traditional knowledge to be properly promoted and conserved it is necessary toFor traditional knowledge to be properly promoted and conserved it is necessary to
take the following measures at the level of each and every country.take the following measures at the level of each and every country.
• Formulation of national policy and regulation for the proper use of TM and itsFormulation of national policy and regulation for the proper use of TM and its
integration into national health care systems in line with the provisions of the WHOintegration into national health care systems in line with the provisions of the WHO
strategies on Traditional Medicines.strategies on Traditional Medicines.
• Establish regulatory mechanisms to control the safety and quality of products and ofEstablish regulatory mechanisms to control the safety and quality of products and of
TM practice.TM practice.
• Create awareness about safe and effective TM therapies among the public andCreate awareness about safe and effective TM therapies among the public and
consumers.consumers.
• Cultivate and conserve medicinal plants to ensure their sustainable use.Cultivate and conserve medicinal plants to ensure their sustainable use.
• Develop national policies on the evaluation and regulation of TM practices.Develop national policies on the evaluation and regulation of TM practices.
• Create a stronger evidence base on the safety, efficacy and quality of the TMCreate a stronger evidence base on the safety, efficacy and quality of the TM
products and practices;products and practices;
• Ensure availability and affordability of TM.Ensure availability and affordability of TM.
• Promote therapeutically the sound use of TM by providers and consumers.Promote therapeutically the sound use of TM by providers and consumers.
• Document traditional medicines and remedies.Document traditional medicines and remedies.
• Establishment of a database on TM recipes and treatment forms for researchEstablishment of a database on TM recipes and treatment forms for research
purposes and posterity.purposes and posterity.

14. RCE Buea, Medicinal PlantsRCE Buea, Medicinal Plants
GardenGarden

15. Community to Community Exchange andCommunity to Community Exchange and
Capacity Development Workshop forCapacity Development Workshop for
Traditional Knowledge Holders, 30Traditional Knowledge Holders, 30
September to 4th October 2015,September to 4th October 2015,
Bangalore, India.Bangalore, India.

16. • The exchange started in 2008. There hasThe exchange started in 2008. There has
been several meetings on Traditionalbeen several meetings on Traditional
Medicine workshops – Biodiversity andMedicine workshops – Biodiversity and
health initiative exchanges.health initiative exchanges.
• The purpose was to share the differentThe purpose was to share the different
experiences on ABS (Access and Benefitexperiences on ABS (Access and Benefit
Sharing) and TK.Sharing) and TK.

17. • Animals, plants and micro organisms contain billions of useful genetic resources forAnimals, plants and micro organisms contain billions of useful genetic resources for
producing food, medicine and cosmetics etc.producing food, medicine and cosmetics etc.
• For a plant in the rain forest, only the local people know its use but its genetic compositionFor a plant in the rain forest, only the local people know its use but its genetic composition
resources can be useful to people all over the world.resources can be useful to people all over the world.
• Sharing and using the world’s genetic resources is useful to the progress of humankind.Sharing and using the world’s genetic resources is useful to the progress of humankind.
• ABS is about how to access the worlds genetic resources and share the benefits betweenABS is about how to access the worlds genetic resources and share the benefits between
those who use them and those who provide them in a faire and equitable waythose who use them and those who provide them in a faire and equitable way
• Every Country holds the rights over animals, plants and genetic resource found within itsEvery Country holds the rights over animals, plants and genetic resource found within its
borders. Any one from another countr y, who wants to use them, must respect theseborders. Any one from another countr y, who wants to use them, must respect these
sovereign rights.sovereign rights.
• That was agreed upon by 172 countries at the UN Rio Summit in 1992 when the CBDThat was agreed upon by 172 countries at the UN Rio Summit in 1992 when the CBD
(Convention on Biological Diversity) was born. This also includes traditional knowledge that(Convention on Biological Diversity) was born. This also includes traditional knowledge that
is related with the use of such resources.is related with the use of such resources.
• For this to be done, PIC( prio informed consent) must be obtain from the providingFor this to be done, PIC( prio informed consent) must be obtain from the providing
country. The PIC request should outline the nature and the intended goal of the plannedcountry. The PIC request should outline the nature and the intended goal of the planned
research and utilizationresearch and utilization
• The MAT (Mutually Agreed Terms) will define the benefits for the provider of the geneticThe MAT (Mutually Agreed Terms) will define the benefits for the provider of the genetic
resource and other contractual issues. Benefits could be lump sum payment, percentageresource and other contractual issues. Benefits could be lump sum payment, percentage
of profit, technology transfer etc.of profit, technology transfer etc.
• 2010 the Nagoya protocol specified the aspects relating to ABS in the CBD.2010 the Nagoya protocol specified the aspects relating to ABS in the CBD.

18. Biocultural Community ProtocolsBiocultural Community Protocols
Bridging the gap betweenBridging the gap between
communities, governmentscommunities, governments
and the private sectorand the private sector

19. • Biocultural Community Protocols (BCPs) are instrumentsBiocultural Community Protocols (BCPs) are instruments
that set out clear terms and conditions to governmentsthat set out clear terms and conditions to governments
and the private, research, and non-profit sectors forand the private, research, and non-profit sectors for
engaging with indigenous and local communities (ILCs)engaging with indigenous and local communities (ILCs)
and accessing their local resources and knowledge.and accessing their local resources and knowledge.
They are developed through culturally rooted,They are developed through culturally rooted,
participatory decision-making processes within theparticipatory decision-making processes within the
communities and are based on communities’ customarycommunities and are based on communities’ customary
norms, values, and laws.norms, values, and laws.
• Every community protocol is distinct due to the uniqueEvery community protocol is distinct due to the unique
biological and cultural diversity of the people thatbiological and cultural diversity of the people that
develop them. How-ever, they tend to include thedevelop them. How-ever, they tend to include the
following elements:following elements:
Biocultural Community ProtocolsBiocultural Community Protocols

20. • A definition of the community, its leadership and decision-makingA definition of the community, its leadership and decision-making
processesprocesses
• A description of community-based natural resource man-agementA description of community-based natural resource man-agement
systems, knowledge, innovations, and practices (i.e. in situsystems, knowledge, innovations, and practices (i.e. in situ
conservation and sustainable use) of indigenous flora and fauna,conservation and sustainable use) of indigenous flora and fauna,
and details of those natural resources;and details of those natural resources;
• Ways of life, including the links between culture, spirituality, andWays of life, including the links between culture, spirituality, and
customary laws and values;customary laws and values;
• Rights, responsibilities, and duties of the community accord-ing toRights, responsibilities, and duties of the community accord-ing to
customary, national, and international law;customary, national, and international law;
• Conditions set out by the community for granting access to theirConditions set out by the community for granting access to their
lands, resources and knowledge, such as procedures for Free, Priorlands, resources and knowledge, such as procedures for Free, Prior
and Informed Consent (FPIC);and Informed Consent (FPIC);
• Challenges faced by the community and calls to variousChallenges faced by the community and calls to various
stakeholders to engage on specific issues.stakeholders to engage on specific issues.
Biocultural Community ProtocolsBiocultural Community Protocols

21. End of Presentation!End of Presentation!
Thank YouThank You