Seminar on Protection of Traditional Knowledge @NLU Assam [May 3-4, Guwahati]: Submit by March 20

09 Mar 2019

Categories: Conferences & Seminars

Concept Note

The proposed two day National Seminar on “Effective Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expression: National and Community Experiences” is to be organized by National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam in collaboration with North East Centre, New Delhi.The main aim of the Conference will be specifically highlighting the significance and contribution of North Eastern part of India in the realm of Intellectual Property Rights.

The eight states of the North Eastern part of India viz. Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur and Sikkim are well known for rich repositories of Traditional Knowledge (hereinafter referred as TK) and Traditional Cultural Expression (hereinafter referred as TCEs /folklore) based on resources relating to biological diversity, genetic resources, folklores and geographical indication.

The abundant diversity has given this region a rich cultural heritage and unique ethnicity. TK and TCEs comprise a significant part of the IPR domain. Both TK and TCEs encompasses a vast body of knowledge pertaining to diverse fields like agriculture, medicine, biodiversity, biological resources, environment, forestry, music, art, culture, tradition, etc., usually held by certain indigenous communities in a given territory.

However, it is not limited to this category only. Unfortunately, any universally accepted definition of the terms TK, as well as TCEs, have not been developed yet. Although many working definitions are available that are more or less similar in nature, various terms like indigenous knowledge, local knowledge, community knowledge, cultural heritage, aboriginal tradition, traditional ecological knowledge etc. are synonymously used for TK.

It is now a well-established fact that both TK and TCEs are of enormous economic value. It has become an important source for new industrial inventions in many sectors. Gone are the days when it was looked down upon as inferior, ancient and unscientific by modern science. In the present state-of-art development, TK and TCEs play an important role in the global economy.

It is not only valuable for the indigenous, local people who largely depend on it for different pursuits of their life, but also to modern industrial and agricultural sector in terms of procurement of raw materials and application of traditional techniques for enhancing agricultural production and productivity in a sustainable way. The value and contribution of TK and TCEs is also immense in the field of pharmaceutical and medical sciences.

In spite of the Northeast region being plentiful in TK and TCEs and people deriving benefits out of it, most of the resources relating to the same have remained untapped and unexplored. The main challenges pertaining to TK is its misappropriation and lack of proper legal protection, inadequate documentation, commercial exploitation, illegal bio- trading, unsustainable extraction of natural resources, etc.

However, most often it is also felt that because of the absence of sui generis law on this area, the TK and TCEs is yet to receive adequate legal protection. Keeping in view the above concerns, this Seminar will be an effort to throw some light on the protection of TK and TCEs with special reference to the North Eastern states of India.

Thematic Area of the Conference

IPR interface with TK and TCEs/folklore
Protection of TK : issues and challenges
GI and its potential
TK and Biodiversity Conservation
TCEs Preservation and innovation in North- East India
TK practioners, perspective and experiences

Abstract Submission Guidelines

The Abstract should relate to the Theme and the Sub-themes. In case any of the authors wish to present a paper on any other theme, the paper would be subjected to scrutiny by the Editorial Board.
The abstract should be limited to 500 words specifying a few keywords accompanied by the details of the author(s) comprising the designation, email address, contact number, postal address and has to be sent to –nationalseminartk@nluassam.ac.in.
The Body of the Abstract should be written in Times New Roman, Font Size 12, Line Spacing 1.5 and Footnotes in Times New Roman with Font Size 10.
The Citation must be in Bluebook latest Edition. The Authors should strictly adhere to it.
The sub-theme has to be mentioned while abstract submission
The papers should be submitted in two parts. The abstract submission date is 20th March 2019 and the final selected papers should be submitted by 10th April 2019. The authors of the selected papers will be notified as per schedule.
Selected abstracts would be notified by 28th March 2019.
All the information regarding the conference would be updated to the participants.

Important Details

Abstract Deadline: 20th March, 2019
Notification of Acceptance of Abstract: 28th March, 2019
Submission of Full Paper- 10th April, 2019
Submission of Registration Fee- 25th April, 2019

Registration

Students/Researchers [Paper Presentation]: Rs. 1,500/
Students/Researchers [Participation]: Rs. 1,000/-
Academics/Practitioners [Paper Presentation]: Rs. 1,500/
Academics/Practitioners [Participation]: Rs. 1,000/
NLUJAA Research Scholars/ P.G. Students [Paper Presentation]: Rs. 1,000/-
NLUJAA Students* [Participation]: Rs. 300/-
NLUJAA Faculty [Participation]: Rs. 1,000/-
NLUJAA Faculty [Paper Presentation]: Rs. 1,500/-
Delegates [Participation]: Rs. 1,500/-

On-spot Registration: online payment portal will open soon with conference website.

*Undergraduate Students of NLUJAA as well as other Universities are entitled to participation only.

Dates: 3rd and 4th May, 2019

Venue: Seminar Hall, Administrative Block, National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam, Hajo Road, Amingaon-781031, Kamrup (R), Guwahati, Assam.