The Quadruple Helix of Strategic Alliances and its Application for Community Development in Las Acequias de Atrisco

In today’s society, the development of Information Communication Technologies (ICT) is imminent yet, large segments of the world remain marginalized. I contend that peer-to-peer and inter-institutional networks can be used to connect local with global systems to close this divide. Using today’s virtual and digital technologies the gap can be bridged using collaboration platforms using different knowledge systems that do not simply replicate the same information. The suggested model represents forming strategic alliances for information sharing and collaboration to empower and support local knowledge systems. The examples discussed show our efforts toward an inclusive approach with communities in full partnership, resulting in 1) providing technical language necessary to negotiate with alliance partners, 2) creating new collaborative ways to incorporate cultural knowledge that can be shared locally and globally based on different metaphysical foundations, and 3) create ways by which communities can protect their traditional knowledge.