[IRP] Fwd: [A2k] OXFORD'S GLOBAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME LAUNCHES EXPERT TASKFORCE ON GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE GOVERNANCE

[Katitza Rodriguez]

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Oxford Global Economic Governance Programme Intellectual  
> Property Project <intellectualproperty at univ.ox.ac.uk>
> Date: December 9, 2009 5:18:26 PM EST
> To: a2k at lists.essential.org
> Subject: [A2k] OXFORD'S GLOBAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME  
> LAUNCHES EXPERT TASKFORCE ON GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE GOVERNANCE
>
> --
> [ Picked text/plain from multipart/alternative ]
> OXFORD'S GLOBAL ECONOMIC GOVERNANCE PROGRAMME LAUNCHES EXPERT
> TASKFORCE ON GLOBAL KNOWLEDGE GOVERNANCE
>
>
>
> The University of Oxford's Global Economic Governance Programme has
> launched an independent Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge
> Governance to propose a set of principles and options for the future
> of global knowledge governance.
>
>
>
> In launching the initiative, the Taskforce's Honorary Advisors
> emphasised the scope of global knowledge governance challenges at
> hand.  Professor Rubens Ricupero, former Secretary-General of the UN
> Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), observed that "in our
> knowledge-intensive economy, access to information and to knowledge
> has become the difference between prosperity and poverty, and between
> domination and liberation. The needs of the vast majority of the
> world's population demand that we take knowledge governance  
> seriously".
>
>
>
> Scholar, economist and writer Dr. Jacques Attali highlighted that 'how
> knowledge is created, accumulated, shared and governed in a globalised
> world determines the extent and nature of inequality." His views were
> echoed by Nobel Laureate Sir John Sulston, who underlined that "an
> important part of the ownership of science lies in the international
> rules and mechanisms that govern knowledge, for which the existing
> arrangements are unsatisfactory and urgently need review."
>
>
>
> The Challenges Facing Global Knowledge Governance
>
>
>
> Knowledge plays a central role in empowering societies to address the
> multiple, political, economic and social challenges they face. With
> globalisation, revolutions in communications and information
> technologies (ICT), and a myriad of scientific advances, knowledge has
> become an increasingly important factor in achieving innovation,
> growth and competitiveness and in sustaining cultural creativity.
>
>
>
> The ability of people to harness knowledge is, however, dependent on
> the structure of knowledge ownership. At present, intellectual
> property (IP) rules are the predominant tool for regulating the
> creation, diffusion and use of knowledge ? and related goods and
> services. However, the unprecedented strengthening of IP rules in the
> past two decades has been the source of profound tensions. Indeed,
> current arrangements for global knowledge governance face a range of
> challenges, including:
>
>
>
> * A complex and expanding patchwork of multilateral, regional and
> bilateral regimes, institutions, processes and rules, both
> intergovernmental and private;
>
> * Developing country demands for greater voice and for rebalancing the
> global IP system;
>
> * Multiplying calls from stakeholders for greater transparency,
> accountability and participation;
>
> * A proliferation of global policy debates with an IP dimension ?
> ranging from debates on climate change, food security, the internet
> and innovation to those on how to expand access to affordable
> medicines, knowledge, and education and on traditional knowledge; and
>
> * Ongoing debates on how best to stimulate innovation and creativity
> and to share their benefits, and on the appropriate balance between
> proprietary knowledge and the public domain.
>
>
>
> The Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance
>
>
>
> Aware that the contest over the scope and distribution of IP rights ?
> and appropriate governance arrangements - is set to intensify, the
> Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance was launched in
> November 2009 and will publish its report in late 2010. The
> Taskforce?s work will address the following questions:
>
>
>
> * What are the most critical current and emerging global trends and
> challenges relating to knowledge generation, access and use? What are
> the issues that matter most to different kinds of stakeholders?
>
> * How effective are the current arrangements for global knowledge
> governance in facing these challenges? Are they adequate for
> responding to emerging trends and future challenges?
>
> * What are key principles that should guide reform of global knowledge
> governance and what are the options for reform?
>
>
> The Taskforce is led by a small, core team of experts participating in
> a personal capacity, supported by several distinguished Honorary
> Advisors.  The Taskforce will consult widely, interviewing a diversity
> of academics, policy experts, and stakeholder communities around the
> world. The report will be peer-reviewed by a group of leading
> international scholars working on the intersection of issues covered
> in the study. The findings of the Taskforce will be published in late
> 2010 and presented to governments, relevant international
> organizations, stakeholders and academics working to shape how the
> future of global knowledge governance unfolds.
>
> The Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance is directed by Dr.
> Carolyn Deere-Birkbeck and supported by the Ford Foundation.
>
> For more information on the taskforce as its work unfolds, see www.globaleconomicgovernance.org/ip-project
> .  Enquiries relating to the Expert Taskforce should be directed to
> Catherine Monagle, Secretary of the Expert Taskforce on Global
> Knowledge Governance (intellectualproperty at univ.ox.ac.uk.)
>
>
>
> -------------------------
>
>
>
> The Global Economic Governance Programme was established at University
> College in 2003 by its Director, Professor Ngaire Woods, to foster
> research and debate into how global markets and institutions can
> better serve the needs of people in developing countries. At Oxford,
> the Programme is directly linked to Oxford University's Department of
> Politics and International Relations and Centre for International
> Studies. Further information about GEG projects on global governance
> of finance, trade, migration and health can be found at www.globaleconomicgovernance.org
> .
>
>
>
>
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