Best practices for the management of knowledge for conflict resolution: Lessons learned from the Great Lakes region of Africa

Abstract

This article deals with the management of knowledge for conflict resolution and innovation in Africa. After a brief discussion of the research methodology followed, a feedback is provided on the field study conducted from 2006 to 2008 in northern Uganda and Rwanda and at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, Tanzania, and in the DRC. As a result of the field study, certain principles and practices were identified whereby the challenges facing Africa could be examined. The author found five ‘realms’ in which knowledge management can take place and that traditional knowledge practices, if merged with more modern knowledge management practices, provide a valuable framework for using knowledge management for conflict resolution and innovation in Africa. Best practices that were identified include an intra-connected and collective knowledge production system and the production of tacit knowledge, especially among the new generation or youth. Furthermore, the importance of intellectual capital (in the form of value-driven leadership, competent managers and expert knowledge workers) and the activation of an intervention into the continuous spiral of violent conflict which will ultimately lead to the innovative transformation of African society are discussed. Finally, some recommendations are offered as possible solutions for conflict resolution and innovation in Africa.     

Local plant use and traditional conservation practices in Nhema communal area,Zimbabwe

Abstract

This article is based on a study that was carried out in Nhema communal area in Midlands Province, Zimbabwe, with the main objective of documenting local plant use and traditional conservation practices. Data collected through household semi-structured and open interviews showed that 46 plant species in 40 genera and 24 families were mainly used for firewood, construction wood, food and traditional medicine. Other minor uses included using plant species for making mats, rope and shading. Firewood and construction wood ranked as the most important tree products used. The preferred plant species included: Julbernardia globiflora (Mutondo); Brachystegia spiciformis (Musasa); Terminalia sericea (Mususu); Brachystegia boehmii (Mupfuti); Combretum imberbe (Mutsviri); Combretum molle (Mubondo) and Burkea africana (Mukarati). Some of the highly preferred species, considered to be declining in the local environment, included Adenium obesum (Chisvosve); Azanza garckeana (Mutohwe); Brachystegia boehmii (Mupfuti); Brachystegia spiciformis (Musasa); Burkea africana (Mukarati); Combretum imberbe (Mutsviri); Combretum molle (Mubondo); Dalbergia melanoxylon (Mukonashanhu); Diospyros mespiliformis (Musuma); Elephantorrhiza goetzei (Ntorani); Julbernardia globiflora (Mutondo); Phragmites australis (Shanga; Poulzozia hypoleuca (Munanzwa); Pterocarpus angolensis (Mubvamaropa); Terminalia sericea (Mususu) and Uapaca kirkiana (Muzhanje). Highly preferred and declining species were characteristically large trees and shrubs. Local people are aware of the need to conserve plant resources in order to protect the environment and avoid the extinction of these rare species.Traditional conservation practices have substantially contributed to the conservation of plant species in Nhema communal area. The protection of indigenous timber, fruit trees, trees with social and cultural significance, the use of deadwood for firewood, the use of eucalyptus trees as construction wood and the occurrence of sacred woodland areas represented some of the traditional conservation techniques employed in Nhema communal area. These local practices demonstrate the dynamism and significance of African indigenous knowledge systems.     

中国法学:技术、价值与知识——中国法学的三种基本态势

中国法学目前的现状分为三种,或者说有三个知识谱系。第一个谱系把法学理解为一门技术,这可能是当下中国部门法学一个主流的架构;第二个谱系把法学理解为一套价值体系,是一套价值;第三个知识谱系是把法学作为知识体系。这三个谱系的法学各有其价值和意义,这里我以一个编辑和教书人的双重身份,对中国当下的法学知识形态进行了阅读,阅读是个性化的,包含了对与错。我认为,中国的法学应该是多元的,它是中国法学繁荣的一个标志。     

明知与刑事推定

对于明知,通常应在行为人具有这种认识的情况下,司法上去认定该明知是否存在,而不是在行为人缺乏认识时,司法上推定其存在明知。主观上的认识因素,存在"确知"(肯定知道)和"确实不知"两极。在这两者之间,根据认识程度的由强到弱,还分别存在"实知"(事实上知道)、"或知"(可能知道)、"应知"(应当知道)3种类型。这些认识因素,绝大多数与推定无关。在司法解释中,大量使用"应当知道"一词,但其中多数属于行为人"实知"的范畴,基本不涉及刑事推定问题。今后,在进行司法解释时,可以把"明知"解释为确知或者实知。只有在个别明显属于推定的场合,保留"应当知道"的表述。对明知进行分级,将其内涵进一步细化,充分考虑了刑事证明责任的负担问题,也有助于司法解释的精确化,其意义不可低估。     

法律职业化的知识论基础与司法制度合理化

法律职业化有其深刻的知识论根据 ,它建立在多种知识论基础之上 ,并与司法制度合理化之间存在紧密联系。为法律职业化的知识论根据所内在要求的司法制度合理化的基本方面包括司法独立、判决理由合理、司法权力中性化和司法程序正义等。     

国际民事诉讼法统一化趋势及其立法构想

国际民事诉讼法是调整国际民商事交往的基本法。随着目前国际民商事关系的发展变化,国际民事诉讼法也面临着巨大的变革。科学技术的飞速发展,知识经济的蓬勃兴起,全球化浪潮的汹涌袭来,使国际民事诉讼法的变革迎来了千载难逢的机遇,同时也带来巨大的挑战。在这机遇与挑战的背后,却是国际民事诉讼法的统一化趋势的出现。