[A2k] RE: Oxford's Global Economic Governance Programme Launches Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance

[Oxford Global Economic Governance Programme Intellectual Property Project]

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Please note the website of the Oxford Global Economic Governance
Programme's Expert Taskforce on Global Knowledge Governance is www.globalec=
onomicgovernance.org/project-ip
.  Enquiries relating to the Expert Taskforce should be directed to intelle=
ctualproperty@univ.ox.ac.uk
.



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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 =96 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 =96
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 =96
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=92s 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.globalec=
onomicgovernance.org/project-ip
.  Enquiries relating to the Expert Taskforce should be directed to
Catherine Monagle, Secretary of the Expert Taskforce on Global
Knowledge Governance (intellectualproperty@univ.ox.ac.uk.)

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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.globaleconomicg=
overnance.org
.