A discussion at the launching of the Wisdom Conference 2010 at Grha Sabha Pramana, Wednesday (12/8), produced a recommendation which was read out by the Rector of the State University of Papua (Unipa), Ir. Yan Pieter Karafir, M.Ec. He mentioned that the purpose of this Conference was to formulate strategies, challenges and problems pertaining to relevant issues in science, education and culture which have become the national and global agenda and attention. The Conference was also aimed to share the results with the Indonesian and world communities.
“In the next 14 months during the World Conference in October 2010, we would like to extend the scope of discussion as extensive as possible,†he said.
The recommendation was based on a series of parallel discussions on six major themes deliberated by discussion groups respectively. The science and technology group produced a recommendation on the importance of local wisdom for cultural security, use of technology based on local wisdom, and creative implementation of the economy and development. Meanwhile, a recommendation on education highlights the comprehensive formulation by the government/institutions to take local problems and wisdom as well as global spirit and problems into consideration.
In cultural aspect, Pieter continued, an important issue that will be encountered in the future is the national characteristics and culture management. “The local wisdom needs to be dug out as a capital to give a contribution to the global solutions, “ he explained. In health sector, the development of herbal medicines based on the local wisdom for physical fitness is required. He added that in archeology and tourism sectors, there are potential and important archaeological artifacts.
Previously, the conclusion of the discussion had been read out by the six moderators, including Prof. Dr. Mochtar Mas’oed, Dr. Supra Wimbarti and Prof. Dr. Timbul Haryono, M.Sc. It was mentioned there several local wisdom examples in health that need to be maintained and developed, such as various traditional sports and national dances, the back-rubbing healing method, and traditional nutritions.
In that occasion, UGM expert on culture, Prof. Dr. Timbul Haryono, said that archaeology as a form of national wealth can play a role in giving a contribution to the global solutions. “Borobudur used to be known locally, but later it was renovated. And world organisations, including the UNESCO, had become interested and then came to give an assistance, which helped raise people awareness about the importance of archaeology,†said the Professor of the Faculty of Cultural Sciences. He added that the local community have so far only acted as observers of cultural artifacts. He saw this as ‘a rat died in the rice barn’, adding that “Preservation and sustainability of artifacts should come first and these should be oriented towards humanitarian and universal interests.â€