Traditional Knowledge Bulletin

Traditional medicine gains ground in African universities
SciDev.Net, 15 September 2011

LONDON, UK: The number of African countries with national policies on traditional medicine increased almost fivefold between 2001 and 2010, according to a progress report on the decade of traditional medicine in the African region. The report was launched at the 61st session of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Committee for Africa, held from 29 August to 2 September 2011, in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire. The report also found that the number of countries with strategic plans for traditional medicine increased from zero to 18 in the same period, and those with national regulatory frameworks rose from one to 28, while some African universities have incorporated traditional medicine into the curricula for medical and pharmacy students. Read the article … Download the Progress Report on Decade of Traditional Medicine in the African Region [pdf] …

Observations of Climate Change from Indigenous Alaskans
USGS news release, 13 September 2011

COLORADO, USA: Personal interviews with Alaska Natives in the Yukon River Basin provide unique insights on climate change and its impacts, helping develop adaptation strategies for these local communities. The US Geological Survey coordinated interviews with Yup’ik hunters and elders in the villages of St. Mary’s and Pitka’s Point, Alaska, to document their observations of climate change. They expressed concerns ranging from safety, such as unpredictable weather patterns and dangerous ice conditions, to changes in plants and animals as well as decreased availability of firewood. By integrating scientific studies with indigenous observation, these multiple forms of knowledge allow for a more comprehensive understanding of the complex challenges posed by climate change. The indigenous knowledge encompasses observations, lessons and stories about the environment that have been handed down for generations, providing a long history of environmental knowledge. These observations can also help uncover new areas for scientists to study. An article on the research was published in the journal Human Organization. Read the release … Read the abstract of the article Indigenous Observations of Climate Change in the Lower Yukon River Basin, Alaska, by Nicole Herman-Mercer, Paul F. Schuster and Karonhiakt’tie Bryan Maracle …

Dealing with Climate Change: The Effects on Colombia’s Indigenous Livelihood
Indian Country Today Media Network, 14 September 2011

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: For years, leaders of indigenous communities in Colombia have been warning about how the historic misuse of nature affects the natural cycles and how this is threatening their traditional customs and cultures. Impacts on their crops, their livelihoods, their food security and their ancestral ability to predict the climate are some of the effects of climate change in their communities. This article includes observations from indigenous representatives from two different communities and regions on Colombiaabout their perception of climate change and the ways they are dealing with it: the Koguis, Arhuacos, Kankuamos and Wiwas living in Sierra Nevada de Santa Martain northern Colombia; and the Kokonukos living in the south-western area of Colombia. Read the article …

Conversations with the Earth
A World of Possibilities, August 2011

This hour-long radio program includes interviews from indigenous people from Alaska and Peru who say it’s not too late to use traditional knowledge to reconnect with Mother Earth. It also presents a new exhibition on indigenous voices on climate change at the National Museum of the American Indian. Listen to the radio program … Further information on the exhibition in the National Museum of the American Indian …

Plant Genetic Resources and Food Security: Stakeholder Perspectives on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Christine Frison, Francisco López, José Esquinas Alcázar (eds)
Routledge, FAO, Bioversity International (July 2011) | ISBN 978-1-84971-206-4

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) is a pivotal piece of international law, providing a route map for the use of such resources for sustainable agriculture and food security. This book explains the different interests and views at stake between all players in the global food chain. It touches upon many issues such as international food governance and policy, economic aspects of food and seed trade, conservation and sustainable use of food and agricultural biodiversity, hunger alleviation, ecological concerns, consumers’ protection, fairness and equity between nations and generations, plant breeding techniques and socio-economic benefits related to food local economies. It includes sections on perspectives on the Treaty by regions in the world, perspectives by stakeholders in the world food chain, and expert views on future challenges in implementing the Treaty. Purchase the book from Routledge …

Nod for controversial indigenous knowledge law
Business Day, 19 September 2011

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA: The much disputed Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill, which will give protection to indigenous knowledge under South Africa’s existing intellectual property laws, has been approved by a parliamentary committee after nearly two years of deliberations and despite strong opposition. The bill will amend the Performers Protection Act, Copyright Act, Trade Marks Act and the Designs Act. It provides for the establishment of a national council for indigenous knowledge, a national database for the registration of such knowledge by communities, and a national trust and trust fund. These institutions will fall under the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission. The opposition MPs and experts in the field have argued for a separate and unique law dedicated in its entirety to indigenous knowledge, on the grounds that such knowledge does not have the characteristics — such as a single originator who could claim ownership of it — required to be treated on the same basis as other forms of intellectual property. Read the article …

IFIP Executive Office Associate
International Funders for Indigenous Peoples, 9 September 2011

International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) is looking for an Executive Office Associate to support the Executive Director and manage office operations. Working remotely and off-site is an option. The deadline for applications is 1 October 2011. For questions, please e-mail Evelyn Arce at evelyn@internationalfunders.org. Fill in the application … Visit the IFIP website …

18th session of the Human Rights Council
12-30 September 2011 (Geneva, Switzerland)

The right to express grievances and aspirations for political change through peaceful protests is a central theme of this session of the Human Rights Council. Indigenous issues will be addressed on Tuesday, 20 September 2011. The day’s schedule includes interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights on Indigenous Peoples, as well as a panel on the role of languages and culture in the promotion and protection of the well-being and identity of indigenous peoples. Visit the meeting’s webpage, including links to documentation and webcast …