Course: Indigenous Voices & Community Development
The United Nations estimates that there are over 400 million Indigenous people, with at least 5,000 distinct groups, living in over 72 countries. Indigenous peoples exhibit traditional ecological knowledge and are equipped with specific tools for community development and resource use. They are an important part of the world’s human diversity and cultural heritage. However, Indigenoues voices are often sidelined in (community) policies, regional development and resource management. In addition, their physical and cultural existence is threatened, not only due to the ongoing climate crisis.
This course is a series of weekly lectures in which researchers and practicioners from Indigenous communtiesand the field of community development present their research, current and future challenges. This course is designed to introduce students to the ideas, methods, challenges, and themes of Indigenous people in coastal communities.
The course provides an overview of Indigenous peoples’ relationships with the coast and contemporary environmental issues and their implications for Indigenous communities as well as society at large. Challenges appear among the spheres of language and culture, land rights, socioeconomics, governance, demography, education, health, social services, environment, gender, community development, repatriation of cultural property, as well as decolonization and green colonialism.
More information can be found here: https://www.uw.is/is/meistaranam/resources/namskeidislysingar/namskeidislysing-2024-2025/indigenous-voices-community-development-2
All master's courses taught at UW are open to guest students, exchange students, and people from the world of work. The courses are part of our two international multidisciplinary master's programs, Coastal and Marine Management and Coastal Communities and Regional Development. The courses are modular, taught in English, hands-on and many of them include field trips and company visits. Check out the UW course catalogue to find out more.