8th International Conference on Appropriate Technology

Locally-grounded and useful knowledge, both tacit and codified, is one of the most reliable bases for long-term, sustainable prosperity. Unfortunately, much of this knowledge remains under-recognized and undervalued, with turnkey solutions from elsewhere often being presented as readily available or convenient. At present, large numbers of people in the Global South, particularly in Africa, still lack access to clean water, sanitation, clean energy, reliable food and nutrition, and safe transportation, among other challenges. Yet in those same societies,  some people have time-tested,  demonstrable approaches to resolving them, while others are engaged in cutting-edge scientific research and technological development.  All of these, to the extent that they are informed by contextually-relevant needs, and priorities represent an endogenous knowledge resource base.  However, refining, upgrading, applying and diffusing this knowledge in the form of improved products, services and practices also requires the dissemination of lessons and experiences between similarly motivated actors from a broad cross-section of any given society. In exploring various local challenges together from an Appropriate Technology perspective, we believe that we can contribute to a more plural, multi-centric, equitable, sustainable and ultimately more just global community