Ancient Roots, New Shoots : Endogenous Development in Practice

Knowledge has become a buzzword of the age. In the North, people talk of "the knowledge-based economy"; in the South, the World Bank now defines itself as "a knowledge institution".

But the question is: whose knowledge? This collection of general reflections and practical experiences illustrates the inappropriateness of a Western model in many local settings, and the positive value of non-Western systems of knowledge, values and ways of doing things.

It shows how traditional knowledge is being recognised in the botanical and agricultural sectors - local medicinal herbs, local seed varieties and animal breeds, local methods of pest control.

The projects illustrate the notion of endogenous development, or "development from within".

They show how development can be based on locally available natural resources and local knowledge, values and leadership institutions; how development options can be locally determined; and how to retain the benefits of development within local areas and communities.

Endogenous development is not a total solution, but complementary to ongoing modern technological and global economic processes.