South-South cooperation celebrates the important contributions that have emerged from the developing world. These contributions – be they programmes, policies, technologies, or solutions – have grown from local knowledge, making use of local and contextually appropriate products. One such product – indigenous to many countries of the South – is bamboo.
As the cases elaborated in this edition of SSiA make clear, bamboo has an important role to play in inspiring action and enabling development. Amongst many other benefits, through bamboo we can provide local employment opportunities, empower women, and contribute to adapting to and mitigating the impacts of a changing climate. I congratulate INBAR on their two- decade long contribution to South-South cooperation. The cases presented in this publication represent an astonishingly diverse selection of ways in which one product – grown cheaply and abundantly in the South – can contribute to a better and more inclusive future. It is a reminder that often everyday products can inspire amazing actions.
