Stakeholders

MGEPESW is committed to fostering an enabling environment and providing equal opportunities for sustainable socio-economic development and the well-being of targeted groups. The organization leads efforts to integrate Indigenous knowledge into national policies, ensuring that traditional practices and languages are recognized and preserved at the governmental level (Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare, 2020). This includes organizing various youth conferences with Indigenous communities. Additionally, MGEPESW's mandate encompasses the preservation of Indigenous knowledge (IK) and Indigenous languages (IL) through its four pillars: Gender Equality and Related Human Rights Advocacy, Socio-Economic Development for Women, Girls, Boys, and Minority Communities, Stakeholder Coordination, and Institutional Excellence.

The ministry of education provides accessible, equitable and inclusive quality education for a tolerant, skilled, productive and competitive nation, and to promote and preserve arts and culture for nationhood and unity in diversity.

Palms for Life is an organization committed to uplifting minority communities in Namibia, particularly the San and Nama communities. Their efforts focus on alleviating poverty and promoting education, health, and cultural preservation. They have established 10 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, providing quality education to approximately 450 children annually in remote areas. They also offer vocational training to around 1,550 youths and adult literacy programs benefiting 53 individuals. Additionally, they have provided internet access to 6,800 people. To preserve cultural heritage, they produce educational materials, conduct training in Indigenous languages, and create an annual calendar celebrating San culture.

Established in 2008, the Ministry of ICT (MICT) oversees Information Technology, Telecommunication, and Broadcasting in Namibia. The ministry develops policies and legislation to advance the government's digital agenda. MICT has established 25 Multi-purpose Community Centres in remote areas, equipped with internet infrastructure to enhance connectivity. Additionally, through the Namibia Film Commission's outreach programs, Mobile Cinemas have been introduced to 199 villages and settlements, fostering a screen culture in rural communities. These initiatives showcase educational, informative, and entertaining films to keep communities informed about historical and current affairs in Namibia and beyond.

UNESCO serves as the lead UN Agency for the implementation of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (IDIL 2022-2032). UNESCO mobilizes stakeholders and resources for the preservation, revitalization and promotion of indigenous languages. UNESCO supports the development of national action plans.

The National Institute for Educational Development (NIED), a directorate within Namibia's Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture (MoEAC), has introduced various policies to support formal and non-formal education. These include the Environmental Education (EE) and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) policies, as well as the Human Resource Development Plan. These initiatives aim to integrate Indigenous knowledge systems into the educational curriculum through community involvement, teacher training, capacity building, and the promotion of bilingual education.

USAID funds various programs in Namibia that support education and cultural preservation, including initiatives aimed at preserving indigenous languages and knowledge. These include the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation, which supports projects in the conservation of cultural objects, including archaeological and ethnographic items, as well as the restoration and preservation of historical buildings, sacred places, and monuments. Additionally, the PEPFAR Small Grants support the documentation and teaching of indigenous languages, as well as programs that incorporate traditional ecological knowledge to promote environmental conservation and education.

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) hosts several research groups engaged in the safeguarding of indigenous knowledge and languages, across all Faculties. The Protect, Preserve, and Promote Indigenous Culture and Languages project, involved collecting cultural expressions, digitising and archiving them, and making them accessible to a wider audience.

The National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) in Namibia supports research and development initiatives focused on Indigenous knowledge systems and language preservation. A key project, the Preservation and Accessibility of Indigenous Knowledge initiative, aims to document and archive cultural knowledge for future generations. NCRST also hosts regional stakeholder workshops to develop the National Indigenous Knowledge Systems Policy, ensuring it reflects local community needs. Additionally, NCRST publishes the Namibia Journal for Research, Science and Technology (NJRST), a peer-reviewed multidisciplinary journal featuring research on Indigenous knowledge preservation, cultural heritage, and heritage tourism development.

The Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) engages in environmental conservation projects that incorporate Indigenous knowledge, particularly in sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation. In Namibia, WWF plays a vital role in protecting the Protected Area Network (PAN) through the Financing4Future project. This initiative addresses key challenges such as climate change, development pressures, and underfunding of protected area management. Its three main objectives are to: (1) establish conditions for long-term financial sustainability, (2) facilitate resource mobilization, and (3) enhance financial knowledge management systems. The project aims to create a financially sustainable PAN, ensuring thriving biodiversity, robust ecosystem services, and improved livelihood opportunities.

The Nyae Nyae Development Foundation of Namibia (NNDFN) supports San communities within the Nyae Nyae Conservancy, Community Forest, and neighbouring Jaqna Conservancy, home to the !Kung and Ju/'hoansi San. The foundation focuses on natural resource management, climate change awareness, biodiversity promotion, and income generation through initiatives like devil's claw harvesting and crafts projects. Originally established to assist the Ju/'hoansi community, NNDFN has expanded its reach to include neighbouring communities. It is dedicated to harnessing Indigenous knowledge encoded in languages and practices, ensuring its transparent and sustainable transfer across generations.

Founded in 1987, The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) is Namibia's leading NGO in conservation and sustainable development where we leverage our technical expertise, financial management and project management skills. We are dedicated to promoting sustainable development, conserving biodiversity and ensuring the wise and ethical use of natural resources for the benefit of all Namibians, both present and future. The NNF integrates traditional practices and local expertise into various cross-cutting areas of work in the environmental space. By fostering partnerships and respecting indigenous knowledge systems, NNF supports the inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge in national and global conversations.

N/a'an ku sê is an organization based in Namibia focused on wildlife conservation, community welfare, and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge and languages. It provides significant support to the San community through various initiatives, including the Lifeline Clinic, which offers medical care, and educational programs that highlight the value of Indigenous communities. N/a'an ku sê also runs the N/a'an ku sê Primary School, where San children receive education in their native languages, ensuring the continuity of their cultural heritage. N/a'an ku sê Primary School offers a safe and supportive environment, particularly for San learners who often face bullying and ostracization in public schools (Namibia National Students Organisation, n.d.-a). In addition N/a'an ku sê is a significant employer of members of the San community where we strive to make modern opportunities available to those with valuable ancient skills.

The Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) is a pioneering organization in Namibia, focused on community-based natural resource management. Since its establishment in the early 1980s, IRDNC has played a key role in promoting sustainable development and conservation efforts across the country. The organization integrates Indigenous Knowledge (IK) into its conservation strategies and supports the Indigenous Languages (IL) initiative. Working closely with Indigenous communities within the conservancies it operates, IRDNC hosts bi-annual community gatherings to ensure transparency and foster partnerships, where conservancies report on their activities and address challenges (Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation [IRDNC], 2024).

TEKOA is dedicated to preserving and promoting Indigenous knowledge and languages in Namibia. The organization has supported Khwe elders in Bwabwata National Park in revitalizing traditional tracking skills among the youth. Through training and evaluation using the CyberTracker system, with the involvement of local teachers, the program has successfully engaged young people in wildlife tracking, ecological awareness, and conservation. This initiative fosters a stronger connection to their environment and cultural heritage.

The Endangered Languages Association of Namibia (ELAN) aims to preserve Namibian indigenous culture and identity through written discourse in indigenous or vernacular languages.

The Indigenous Minorities Youth Organisation of Namibia (IMYON) was established during the National Conference for Youth from Marginalised Communities and Indigenous Minorities in May 2023. Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare. (2023) IMYON aims to empower marginalised youth, including the San, Ovatue, and Ovatjimba, through education and leadership development. The organisation conducts workshops and training sessions to equip youth with essential skills, advocates for their rights, and teaches them how to effectively represent their peers. Collaborating with the UN and the National Youth Council, IMYON enhances its capacity to support its initiatives. By providing a unified platform, IMYON amplifies the voices of marginalised youth, enabling them to participate in decision-making processes and work towards a more inclusive and prosperous society in Namibia.

The UNESCO Chair in Digital Technology Design with Indigenous People leverages emerging technologies, such as Mixed Reality and Artificial Intelligence, to revitalize indigenous knowledges and languages as well as providing digital cultural learning tools in formal education and beyond. By using a participatory design approach the Chair ensures local capacity building for computational empowerment and digital sovereignty.