Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Seminar - 26 September 2008
The seminar brought together more than 100 people, including iwi and hapū representatives, holders of knowledge, academics, representatives from private industry and other key government agencies.
Speakers included Associate Minister of Commerce, Hon Judith Tizard; solicitor Kim Connolly-Stone; Waikato University Professor and Chairperson of Te Waka Toi, Dr Ngahuia Te Awekotuku; representatives from Te Tairawhiti and Rekohu; artist Krishna Smith (Facilitator); and Australian indigenous arts lawyer and consultant, Terri Janke. Attendees noted the particularly high calibre of the speakers and acknowledged their efforts in the protecting, preserving and promoting traditional knowledge within their respective fields and/or hapū.
Attendees enjoyed presentations featuring the “cool wall”; various animated recollections of meetings in Geneva; searching for tipuna in overseas universities; and the viewing of contemporary Maori artworks made from so-called para (scrap materials). Thankfully Krishna Smith as facilitator also outlined the fire evacuation procedures at the commencement of the seminar as there was indeed a fire drill!
The seminar provided participants with an opportunity to discuss recent international issues raised at the February World Intellectual Property Organisation: Intergovernmental Committee on Traditional Knowledge (“WIPO:IGC”) meeting. Requests for submissions from traditional knowledge holders were also made for the upcoming 13th Session of the WIPO:IGC.
We would also like to thank our co-hosts Te Puni Kōkiri, MED’s Fuels and Crown Resources Bioprospecting Policy Development Team and Baldwins Intellectual Property.
The Ministry of Economic Development is committed to ensuring that New Zealand’s contribution to comprehensive international policy development in this area is built on robust collaboration with our traditional knowledge holders.
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