Indigenous Knowledge and Bioprospecting Conference

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Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Biodiversity

Last updated 28 April 2004

International Conference

"Indigenous Knowledge and Bioprospecting"

April 21-24, 2004

Macquarie University, Sydney Australia

Conference logo painted by John Hunter
For a description of the painting click here

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Auxiliary Children's Conference

A children's conference on "celebrating indigenous knowledge" will be held parallel to this conference.

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Approximately 25% of the worlds pharmaceutical products find a significant degree of origin in Indigenous communities. This represents more than a 200 billion dollar share of the global market. There has been no specifically organised forum in Australia for Indigenous peoples to consult on positive responses to this situation. Such a consultation is also timely considering that 2004 marks the end of the "International Decade of the World's Indigenous People" (1993-2004). It is hoped that the dialogue established at this conference will stimulate focus on important roles that Indigenous Peoples have in contributing to the formulation of our civilization and the relationships that underpin sustainable use of technological capacities.

This conference, Indigenous Knowledge and Bioprospecting, will provide a forum where Indigenous peoples, scientists, and lawmakers will consult about this situation. The consultation will focus on three key areas related to Indigenous Knowledge and Bioprospecting.

1. Respond to Indigenous Needs
2. Value Indigenous Knowledge
3. Enhance Biocultural Diversity

The conference will focus on discussing issues associated with the development of positive resources and potential pathways of social and economic development for Indigenous communities and the potential of their own medical knowledge.

A children's conference on "Celebrating Indigenous Knowledge" will be held parallel to this conference.


	Responding to Indigenous needs
	Identify the legal needs of Indigenous Peoples within a bioprospecting context, determine available resources, highlight positive pathways forward. Areas discussed may include but are not limited to: Intellectual Property Rights Social & Economic Development for Indigenous Communities Linguistic Human Rights Preserving and Resurrecting Cultural Knowledge Suis Generis Human Rights/Envrionmental Law synthesis Recognition of spiritual considerations in the legal system Recognition of communal property ownership Native Title Authentic models of self-determination/self-governance
	Valuing Indigenous Knowledge
	The organisers of this conference are of the firm belief that a genuine engagement with the diversity and sophistication of Indigenous knowledge systems represents a potential 'second enlightenment' for global civilisation. Discussions are encouraged that facilitate a deeper understanding of the intrinsic value of Indigenous knowledge (as opposed to the currently instrumental value it is given). Among other issues, this process can be enhanced by focusing on the potential collaborative relationships between western scientific methodology and Indigenous ecological knowledge. < An example of comparison that may be useful: Note the following contrast may intentionally emphasize the differences between Traditional ecological knowledge and western science, but it is acknowledged that there are varying degrees of how this is manifested in sometimes more integrated ways on both sides. It is suggested that a genuine consultation between both "communities of knowledge" will demonstrate creative benefits for both. "Traditional Ecological Knowledge: is recorded and transmitted through oral tradition; is learned through observation and hands-on experience; is based on the understanding that the elements of matter have a life force. (All parts of the natural world are therefore infused with spirit); does not view human life as superior to other animate and inanimate elements; all life-forms have kinship and are interdependent; is holistic (whereas western science is reductionist) is intuitive in its mode of thinking (whereas western science is analytical); is mainly qualitative (whereas western science is mainly quantitative); is based on data generated by resource users. (As such it is more inclusive than western science, which is collected by a specialized group of researchers who tend to be more selective and deliberate in the accumulation of facts); is based on diachronic data (whereas western science is largely based on synchronic data); is rooted in a social context that sees the world in terms of social and spiritual relations between all life-forms. (In contrast, western science is hierarchically organized and vertically compartmentalized); and derives its explanations of environmental phenomena from cumulative, collective and often spiritual experiences. Such explanations are checked, validated, and revised daily and seasonally through the annual cycle of activities." See Martha Johnson, Research on Traditional Environmental Knowledge: Its Development and Its Role, in Lore: Capturing Traditional Environmental Knowledge 3, 4 (Martha Johnson ed., 1992).
	Enhancing Biocultural Diversity
	Identify the elements of the 'inextricable link' between indigenous culture and biodiversity in order to explore the potential interdependence of humanity, biodiversity and indigenous cultures. Examination of three main hypotheses in this area: 1) Indigenous cultures conserve or enhance biological diversity. 2) Biological diversity directly enhances cultural diversity. 3) Large-scale social systems reduce both cultural and biological diversity. (see Eric A.Smith, "On the Coevolution of Cultural, Linguistic, and Biological Diversity" in On Biocultural Diversity: Linking Language, Knowledge and the Environment, ed. Luisa Maffi, 2001, Washington, Smithsonian Institution Press) REGISTRATION FORM HERE Attention Indigenous communities or institutions who want to participate remotely: Plans are underway to digitally video the conference so that it can be 'viewed on demand' by others unable to attend. If there is enough interest we may also provide live video linkage so that rural and international communities can also make presentations and/or view the conference live. This capacity and the level of cost will be determined by the number of those who are interested in registering for remote access. Please indicate your interest in participating in this way by emailing chris.jones@law.mq.edu.au . The conference organisers wish to thank Evans Omari of www.medianarts.org for making this possible.

	Co-Hosted by: Association for Baha'i Studies Australia * Warawara Department of Indigenous Studies Centre for Environmental Law Department of Health & Chiropractic The Centre for Biodiversity and Bioresources Centre for Research on Social Inclusion Biology Department Chemistry Department The conference organisers wish to acknowledge the kind support of Brydens Law Offices *The Association for Baha'i Studies Australia is a non-profit, non-political, scholarly organisation that is appointed by the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia. For more information about the relationship of the Association for Baha'i Studies and this conference, click HERE . For further information contact Chris Jones: Chris.Jones@law.mq.edu.au Copyright © 2002 Craig E. Jones and Chris Jones	Back to Top