Background

LLocal wisdom is part of the people’s culture which cannot be separated from their own lives. It is usually inherited orally from generation to generation. It is found in folk cultural traditions. It is a knowledge found by local community through a collection of experiences which are integrated with understanding a certain culture and local environment.            According to Antariksa (2009), local wisdom is part of the people’s cultural tradition in a certain country which is realized as parts of building physical structure (architecture) and urban areas in the geography of a nation’s archipelago. Therefore, it is the problem of identity. As a local knowledge system, it distinguishes one local community from another one. This distinction can be seen from the types of local wisdom which can be traced its relation to:

1. Food, especially which is related to a local environment and in accordance with the local climate and staple food;
2. Production system, which is, of course, related to the traditional local production system as an attempt to fulfill the need and the management of manpower;
3. Housing which is adjusted to the standard climate and raw materials available in that area;
4. Clothing which is adjusted to the climate and raw materials available in that area;
5. People that are adjusted to the local knowledge system as the result of the continuous interaction constructed due to human primary, secondary, and tertiary needs.

There are many local wisdoms which, without our knowledge, have provided positive values, and the local wisdoms are always beneficial throughout the ages. This ascertains that local wisdom has always existed up to the present. It has to be instilled and developed in facing the reality which exists now.We have ‘spiritual assets’ like local wisdom and religious ethics in Indonesia. Nevertheless, in the historical development, it seems that Indonesia is becoming co-opted by various global economic and political interests dominated by developed countries. Without revitalization, local wisdoms which are our real cultural identities will be vanished.

Outer space flight performed by the United States and Russia began with science fiction. We, in Indonesia, have abundant traditional literature with myths about supernatural powers; for examples, Gatotkaca that can fly. The problem is how to transform these myths about supernatural powers to technological power.

Therefore, it is very important to hold an international conference to dig up deeply all aspects of local wisdoms from various areas in Indonesia and in other countries. The conference is expected to provide scientific description about the power of local wisdom in order to cope with various problems in each environment and to revitalize the roles of local wisdoms in the ecosystem of human life.

Significances

1. To increase  the number of the publications of lecturers and graduate students in the University of Sumatera Utara;
2. To be the forum for students and lecturers;
3. To provide the opportunity for cooperation in mutual researches and lectures.

 

Keynote Speakers:

1. Dr. Takuro Furusawa (KYOTO UNIVERSITY-JAPAN) (Confirmed)"Living with Island Ecosystems: Cultural Adaptation of People in Indonesia and Solomon Islands"
2. Ferry Sandra, Ph.D (University of Sumatera Utara) (Confirmed) “Role of Herbal Medicine in Stem Cell Development”
3. Prof. Takafumi Ishida, D.Sc (The University of Tokyo) (Confirmed)“Globalization vs Localization in biomedical science: from Asian perspective”

 

Invited Speakers:

1. Prof. Dr. Antonia (University of Napholes L’orientale Italia) (confirmed).
2. Prof. Dr. Uli Kozok (University of Hawaii-USA) (confirmed).
3. Prof. Dr. Toshiaki Kimura (Tohoku-Japan) (confirmed).
4. Prof. Dr. Nor Hasimah Jalaluddin (Institute of The Malay World and Civilization-UKM Malaysia) (confirmed).
5. Dr. Aone Van Engelenhoven (University of Leiden, Belanda) (confirmed).
6. Prof. Dr. Robert Sibarani (USU-Indonesia) (confirmed).
7. Dr. Pundetia, MPSS (UI-Indonesia) (confirmed).
8. Dr. Muklis Paeni (UI-Indonesia) (confirmed).

Honorary Board :

• Prof. Dr. Runtung, SH, M.Hum (Rector, University of Sumatera Utara (USU)
• Prof. Dr. Robert Sibarani (Director of Post graduate school-USU).

International Board (Penasehat)

Drs. Mahyuddin KM Nasution, MIT, PhD.  (Vice Rector III–USU)

Scientific Committee (Reviewer)

1. DR. Lamek Marpaung (USU-INDONESIA) (Confirmed)
2. Prof. Akihiro Shimosaka (Japan) (Confirmed)
3. Prof. Lin Shinn Zong (Taiwan)
4. Prof. Koichi Nakayama (Japan)
5. Dr. Bin Ren (USA)
6. Prof. Yen Huahuang (Taiwan)
7. Dr. Taiguang Jin (USA)
8. Dr. Yasuo Yoshida (Japan) (Confirmed)
9. Dr. Kyung Hoon Lee (Poland)
10. Dr. NordineBenhaga (USA)

 

Organizing Committee

• Chairman : Prof. Dr. Dwi Suryanto, M.Sc
• Co-chair : Dr-Eng. Himsar Ambarita
• Secretary : Rikson Siburian,Ph.D
• Member : Dr-Eng. Rondang Tondang