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| Friday, July 11, 2008: 11:30 AM-1:00 PM |
| CLOSING PLENARY: Mainstreaming the African Philosophy of Ubuntu in Health Research Methodologies and Ethics: A Transcultural Perspective |
| Learning Objective #1: create spaces for mainstreaming ubuntu in research to sustain Indigenous knowledge systems and increase a knowledge base to assist in reducing poverty and accumulating wealth. |
| Learning Objective #2: describe the significance of utilizing research and education to improve transcultural care. |
| The diversified and multi-cultural environment that health practitioners in South Africa and globally operate in requires more than one approach to research. Research as it is now is based on the western approach, which is predominantly built around western beliefs and culture. As a result, it is quite oblivious of the complex cultural make-up of the indigenous people and thus can scarcely meet their needs.Most of the clinical research especially in HIV/AIDS is conducted among the vulnerable and indigenous people who end up not benefitting from the research. Health care professionals face an enormous challenge of finding a comprehensive and holistic approach to research which will meet the diverse needs and expectations of the society they serve.
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This paper sets out to initiate debate and dialogue in the context of education and research exploring inputs from a human rights approach, globalisation and poverty with the concept of 'Ubuntu' in mind. It argues that with challenges posed by the aftermath of globalisation we need to start thinking on transcutural nursing education and research from different perspectives related to issues of science and culture such as philosophical considerations, multicultural science education, and indigenous knowledge systems. Indigenous community members, health workers, academics, and researchers are at the frontlines of health in communities and are therefore, the experts of current conditions. There is a need to find ways to address the issues and implement strategies that have positive and tangible outcomes for communities. There is also a need to recognise and affirm that the holders of knowledge are experts in both transcultural education and research. Transcultural education will only be sustainable and realised if we are willing to shift policies and programs to better reflect the needs and wishes of Indigenous people. |
| Organizer: | Fhumulani Mavis Mulaudzi, PhD, BA, RN |