Traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources: Developments at WIPO

Convention on Biological Diversity
Working Group on Article 8j
Venue: Room D, Level 1
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
999 University Street
Montreal, Quebec
Date: Thursday, 18 October 2007
Time: 1.15pm-2.45pm

The issues of folklore, traditional knowledge, and genetic resources that are being discussed and addressed in multiple fora at multiple levels. Indigenous and other local communities will be particularly affected by the outcomes of these discussions and it is important to ensure that developments in one forum do not negatively affect progress in others. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) will present this update at the CBD as part of its work at cross-fora capacity-building and information sharing aimed at ensuring coherent and positive outcomes for indigenous and other local communities in multilateral processes of traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources.

Speakers at the event include:

• Valerie Etim, World Intellectual Property Organization

• Merle C. Alexander, Kaska Dena Council

• Dalindyebo Shabalala, Center for International Environmental Law

• Le'a Malia Kanehe, Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism

The aim of the event is to raise awareness in the CBD context of developments at WIPO and to discuss varying perspectives on the experience of indigenous and other local communities at WIPO. The meeting will provide a basis for further strategizing on coherent and mutually supportive policy choices in both fora and to provide a basis for feeding perspectives on the CBD Article 8j and ABS working group meetings into the WIPO process.


For more information, please contact info@ciel.org.