Conclusion: improving public policy through local assets

The final chapter reflects on what we have learned from looking across the ten case studies of the use of local knowledge in policy processes. It reflects on the importance of the use of multiple forms of knowledge or the co-production of knowledge, particularly in a diverse and decentralised country such as Indonesia. It also reflects on the strategies that have been used in bringing local knowledge to policies, and the importance of treating local knowledge as an asset rather than a liability. It identifies the tensions that must be managed in bringing multiple forms of evidence and their diverse values and origins. The new role of ‘experts’ is discussed, to support communities to understand policy options, and to provide a level playing field and opportunities for deliberative democracy more generally. Finally, the chapter reflects on ways that local knowledge can enrich public policy in an era of post-truth politics.