14. Call of the Earth - Llamado de la Tierra
Background
The Call of the Earth is a new, independent, international Indigenous Peoples' initiative on intellectual property policy which provides a forum in which indigenous experts, representatives, community members and elders can meet to develop and present considered policy positions on intellectual property issues.
On November 2002, 19 indigenous experts in cultural and intellectual property issues met in Bellagio, Italy to discuss the creation of a network that would allow indigenous people to meet and discuss intellectual property issues and establish the Call of the Earth. The Call of the Earth was officially launched in Geneva on 13 December 2002 at the World Intellectual Property Organisation Inter-Governmental Committee Meeting on Traditional Knowledge.
Why Was the Circle of the Earth Established?
Indigenous peoples have raised concerns that emerging international intellectual property policies and discussions of traditional knowledge do not adequately reflect or respond to the experience, needs, and priorities of indigenous peoples. The Call of the Earth Circle was formed to ensure indigenous perspective on these issues are effectively articulated and considered.
Call of the Earth aims to enable indigenous people to reframe the debate on intellectual property rights and traditional knowledge through indigenous perspectives within indigenous cultures. In so doing, the Call of the Earth aims to develop responses at local (community), national (i.e. New Zealand), regional (i.e. Pacific) and international levels to all policy and legal developments that adversely impact on the tradition of preserving indigenous cultural heritage for future generations.
Consideration of Traditional Knowledge
The Call of the Earth concerns itself with all cultural intellectual property issues. At the meeting held in Bellagio, Italy, topics of discussions included appropriation of expressions of folklore, appropriation of human genetic material, and traditional medicine and medicinal plants.
How is Intellectual Property Policy Considered?
The Call of the Earth has a unique cyclic approach to policy consideration and development. In recognition that "one policy does not fit all", the Call of the Earth prefers to focus on specific situations facing indigenous communities, as opposed to allowing intellectual property to become the central focus.
The Call of the Earth comprises 7 bodies each with distinct but interrelated objectives. They are the Steering Committee, the Call of the Earth Circle, the Call of the Earth Forum, the Circle of the Wise, the Goodwill Ambassadors, the Secretariat and the Circle of Friends and Supporters. Each body has input, through various methods, into the consideration and development of policy.
The Steering Committee - comprising eight indigenous representatives will provide overall strategic guidance and implement initiatives developed by the Call of the Earth.
The Call of the Earth Circle - comprising up to 30 indigenous experts from a range of areas meets annually to discuss and analyse intellectual property issues of concern to indigenous peoples and develop strategies to address those concerns. Circle members are also instrumental in organising local, national and regional meetings.
The Call of the Earth Forum - comprising all indigenous organisations that participate in Call of Earth activities forms a central part of the initiative.
The Circle of the Wise brings together indigenous Shamans, elders and other cultural guardians, to discuss issues related to knowledge protection and provide spiritual and cultural guidance to the process.
The Goodwill Ambassadors are to be appointed by the Steering Committee, comprising high calibre indigenous ambassadors in a variety of fields (i.e. sports, education, music) who will draw attention to indigenous peoples' issues and the values and analyses of the Call of the Earth.
The Circle of Friends comprising non-indigenous individuals with expertise in intellectual property and indigenous knowledge issues as well as a demonstrated commitment to supporting indigenous issues. These individuals will mentor indigenous scholars and review analysis developed by the Call of the Earth.
The Secretariat is in charge of organising global and regional activities and assists in the co-ordination of national activities. The Secretariat, which is hosted in Tokyo, Japan, at the Institute of Advanced Studies within the United Nations University is responsible for:
- helping to articulate a shared overall conceptual framework;
- increasing interaction between indigenous organisations and communities;
- increasing strategic policy interventions; improving fund raising;
- maintaining a website and communication among participants;
- co-ordinating events/participation before major international meetings related to indigenous peoples and intellectual property.
Future Work
The Call of the Earth will be active in a number of areas. In particular, the Call of the Earth Circle, will continue to host an annual gathering in Bellagio, Italy. The Call of the Earth will provide strategic analysis and policy options for the benefit of indigenous organisations seeking to engage in intellectual property policy debate.
The Call of the Earth Circle is also establishing a number of national, regional and international workshops, including a Pacific regional meeting on Life Patents and a Meso-American regional meeting on Traditional Knowledge of Plants & Healing Practices. For more information visit the Call of the Earth website at Call of the Earth - Llamado de la Tierra.
The Ministry of Economic Development would like to acknowledge the Call of the Earth website and Aroha Te Pareake Mead for information used in preparing this fact sheet. For more information visit their website at Call of the Earth - Llamado de la Tierra.
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