WIPO Side Event at UN EMRIP Presents Indigenous Initiatives

July 11, 2017

WIPO hosted a side event on July 11, 2017 at this year’s session of the UN Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Geneva, Switzerland, dedicated to our extensive capacity building initiatives for indigenous peoples.

Regional multi-stakeholder workshops

The event presented WIPO’s regional multi-stakeholder workshops for government officials and indigenous peoples. These workshops are designed to help participants share knowledge, build understanding and foster coordination within and between countries.

New publications

In addition, a range of publications produced by the Traditional Knowledge Division were introduced, including WIPO’s new publication addressed specifically to indigenous peoples: “Protect and Promote Your Culture: A Practical Guide to Intellectual Property for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities”.

Training

Training opportunities to learn more about intellectual property, traditional knowledge and traditional cultural expressions were also outlined, including two new scholarships for indigenous persons to attend the WIPO Academy’s Summer School program in Geneva or in one of the other locations in 2018 and 2019.

IGC explained

The event also addressed indigenous peoples’ participation in the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge and Folkore (IGC). Participants were informed of how indigenous participation takes place in the IGC and how WIPO supports the Indigenous Caucus.

Co-Chair of the most recent IGC’s Indigenous Caucus, and former WIPO Indigenous Fellow (2013-2014), Q”apaj Conde Choque (aymar arxatiri, Bolivia) provided an insider’s perspective on indigenous participation in the IGC process as well as a summary of issues currently being discussed.

In addition, the side event highlighted that more work can be done. It reminded participants of the calls made by two of the IGC’s most recent indigenous panelists – James Anaya (Apache, Purepecha, USA) and Aroha Mead (Maori, New Zealand) – for more member states to contribute to the WIPO Voluntary Fund and/or provide domestic financial support to indigenous peoples, given the importance of effective indigenous participation.