Background

There is a growing recognition of the importance of integrating global experiences into traditional courses of study and providing graduating students with “global competencies”. However, the specific context of SIDS (Small Island Developing States) and their specific challenges, including small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters, vulnerability to external shocks, and fragile environments require tailored solutions especially in ICTs for the delivery of SDG 17. Integration of ICTs with Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) can be an efficient tool for the customization of current practices for the delivery of SDG 17 and SDG 13 due to the remoteness and special vulnerability of SIDS to climate change. This workshop will be the occasion to discuss and document possible field of applications and policy recommendations for the region and for the particular context of Timor-Leste. Indeed, in Timor Leste as a SIDS, a least developed and a newly established country, mainstreamed LINKS based STI can be instrumental in overcoming developmental challenges, enhance resilience to climate change impact and deliver 2030 agenda in general.

In conjunction with this workshop, the AI3/SOI-Asia Joint Bi-Annual Meeting 2017 will be co-hosted by UNESCO Office Jakarta, with the support of the Japanese Funds-in-Trust (JFIT), UNTL and AI3/SOI-Asia in UNTL to discuss about the role and the way to establish and strengthen national Research and Education Networks (RENs).

Objectives

The regional workshop on Promoting Use of Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) in ICTs to deliver SDG 17 in Timor-Leste will:

-          identify possible fields of application of ICTs related to SDG 13 and 17

-          draft policy recommendations for enabling ICTs as a powerful tool for the delivery of 2030 Agenda.

-          Recommend ways to strengthen the establishment and roles of RENs in particular TLREN.