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Call for Papers

Traditional Knowledge in the International Governance
of Biogenetic Resources

Conference hosted at Hotel de la Sage, Evolne, Switzerland
Thursday, January 18-Saturday, January 20, 2018
Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation

The University of Lausannes Institute of Political, Historical and International Studies
(IEPHI) is hosting an international conference to reflect on the theoretical and practical
meanings of traditional knowledge (TK) associated with the use of genetic resources
and the conservation of biodiversity.

In order to foster exchange among different generations of researchers, the conference
organizers are seeking participants who are working on or who have recently completed
their PhDs. Researchers early in their academic careers are thus invited to submit
abstracts corresponding to the below-described panels exploring the theme of
traditional knowledge in the international governance of biogenetic resources. Selected
applicants will be invited to develop their abstracts into papers, which they will be
sponsored to present at the conference alongside well-established researchers.

Conference Objectives:

The need to protect TK has become an apparently indisputable issue in the international
governance of biogenetic resources. Most of the significant actors involved, which
include governments of user and provider countries, conservationist and business
organizations, as well as transnational social movements, appear to champion the
protection of TK. However, while at first glance they may seem to be rallying around the
same cause, closer inspection reveals that their views on fundamental issues differ.

This conference will provide an opportunity to address this matter, focusing on the
emergence of the notion of TK and the various approaches that have been proposed as
to what should be protected, who the rights holders are, and how protection may be
effectively provided, as well as the legal instruments, projects, and initiatives that have
been developed in accordance with these different views.
Panels:

1. When: The Emergence of TK as a Political Construct
When did TK emerge as a political issue grafted to the goals of access, use, and
conservation of genetic resources? Panel I invites papers that discuss how TK was
framed by political, economic, scientific, and civic actors prior to the adoption of the
Convention on Biological Diversity (1992).

2. What: Perspectives on Traditional Knowledge
This panel will address the perceptions of TK held by different groups of actors
subsequently to the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity. We invite
papers focusing on provider and user countries, core or elemental regimes, business
organizations, and transnational advocacy networks. Collectively, contributions
should illustrate a range of assumptions and understandings pertaining to TK,
including legal, cultural, religious, and cosmic perceptions. The panel seeks to give an
equal voice to all stakeholder groups and assess the extent to which alternative
views have been repressed, displaced, or altered in the international governance of
biogenetic resources.

3. How and Who: How Should Traditional Knowledge be Protected and Who are its
Rights Holders?
In the past decades, the notion that TK is the common heritage of humankind has
become a contentious issue. This debate has led to the development of a variety of
legal instruments aimed at protecting TK. This panel will examine who the TK rights
holders are and how TK should be protected from the perspective of the various
actors partaking significantly in the international governance of biodiversity. The
panel welcomes contributions that inquire into the views held on these issues by
governments of leading provider and user countries, the private sector, indigenous
peoples movements, and peasant organizations.

4. Case Studies
Panel IV seeks to explore existing institutional approaches to what traditional
knowledge is, how it should be protected, and who its rights holders are in various
geographical locations. For example, for this panel we welcome papers that
individually or comparatively analyse national policies on TK and biogenetic
resources, important projects such as the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library in
India, or conservation initiatives involving local communities such as the Potato Park
in Peru. These suggestions are non-exhaustive, and other proposals aligning with the
panels goals are encouraged.

Submissions:

Submissions are welcome from researchers who are in the process of writing or who
have recently completed their PhDs. Abstracts of 250 words should be submitted to
Anne de Chastonay (annecatherine.dechastonay@unil.ch) by September 29, 2017.
Selected applicants will be informed of their acceptance by October 4, 2017 and will be
requested to submit a contribution of approximately 9000 words by December 15, 2017.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Anne de Chastonay.