ROOTS Database

ROOTS is a bibliographical database on endogenous and traditional knowledge. This database is conceived to:

• research published documents and organize collected information ;
• raise awareness of the critical discourses on international development as well as promoting the validity and legitimacy of endogenous/traditional/local knowledge.

At the present time we are witnessing a growing interest regarding the issue of the "cultural dimension of development" as well as for the knowledge and practices rooted in local cultures.

This knowledge and practice is located as much within the framework of what one might call the "traditional", as in the varying "innovative practices" that have been put in place by diverse communities in their effort to deal with the new challenges with which they are presently confronted. Whether they be labelled as traditional or innovative, one can easily discern a number of common characteristics, including:

- They are located directly within the cultural matrix which make up cosmologies and concepts of well-being as well as of humaneness that are different from those practices found within the modern western development paradigm

- They are initiatives that aim first and foremost to ensure the sustainability and harmony of the respective communities, through the deployment of their cultural identity in the following areas of human activity: economic culture, legal culture, ecological culture, social culture, political culture, etc.

- They represent processes and actions that have been articulated at the community level. As a result, local populations are able to become active agents in maintaining their well-being as well as ensuring the survival of their identities

- They integrate directly into the natural and human environment of communities and encourage the maintenance of its balance and sustainability

To assist users of the bibliographical database, we have created a glossary that provides definitions of the words, concepts and notions in order to understand and use of some descriptors in the ROOTS database.

GLOSSARY INFORMATION

• Contains thousands of references
• Monographs and Periodical articles are included
• More than 2 000 authors
• A search facilitated by a list of desciptors
• Analytical summary for each and every reference
• Recent and relevant information
• Data available in English and French

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