Launching book on local wisdom

 A BOOK has being launched after a two-year publication project initiated between six Pacific Island nations to safeguard traditional knowledge and wisdom.

Charles Abel, acting as Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture, launched the book titled Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom last week in Port Moresby.

He said the idea originated in 2013. The  countries involved in the project had ratified the 2003 UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of Tangible Cultural Heritage.

“And their participation was in some way part of their obligations to implement some of the provisions of the convention,” Abel said.

“While intangible cultural heritage is an important part of the lives of the people in the Pacific, the importance is not recognised by all and there is a serious need to lift its profile through this publication project.” 

The countries involved are the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Palau, PNG, Tonga and Vanuatu. It is facilitated by the International Information and Networking Centre for Intangible Cultural Heritage Center in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Dr Don Niles of Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies said the publication celebrated traditional knowledge and wisdom.