Discover ancient knowledge this weekend

Celebrate and discover more about traditional Indigenous knowledge and how communities are using these ancient understandings of land and sea to create new business opportunities at this year’s Charles Darwin Symposium.

The “Indigenous Knowledges in a Changing World Symposium” is free and will be held on Sunday and Monday at Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus.

Day One will be a special family day with a mixture of free indoor and outdoor activities showcasing the talents of Indigenous Territorians with talks and displays along with food stalls, a fashion parade, an art exhibition, and entertainment by Shellie Morris and Paul McKenzie.

Day Two will include presentations by some of Australia and New Zealand’s leading Indigenous academics and provide an opportunity for the audience to participate in a panel discussion with respected Elders.

Chair of the 2013 Symposium organising committee and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Leadership at CDU Professor Steven Larkin said the topic of this year’s Symposium was timely and relevant to the current debate about future directions for the economic development of Northern Australia.

“Through panel discussions, displays, presentations and demonstrations, the Symposium will debate and raise questions about what is understood by traditional knowledge, its role in contemporary society and what is unique about its contributions to our livelihoods and governance,” Professor Larkin said.

“The Symposium offers the general public and delegates an occasion to celebrate Indigenous culture and engage with some of Australia and New Zealand’s prominent Indigenous academics and cultural leaders.

“Importantly, the Symposium will provide a forum to share diverse views on the value placed on traditional Indigenous knowledges and how these can be incorporated into strategies for the future economic development of Northern Australia.”

The Symposium, an initiative of the Northern Territory Government and CDU partnership agreement, is designed to encourage lively, constructive, and informed debate on issues of importance to all Territorians. It is also sponsored by the United Nations University.

To view the full 2013 Symposium program, visit www.cdu.edu.au/cdss2013/