>
>Please Forward
>
>
>KNOWLEDGE _ COMMON HERITAGE, NOT PRIVATE PROPERTY
>
>14.00 - 17.15 Sunday 10 November 2002
>
>University of London Union, Malet St, London WC1
>
>A discussion meeting organised by Scientists for Global Responsibility
>and supported by the UK National Commission for UNESCO.
>
>
>Introduction:
>
>* is it right that gene sequences evolved in nature over billions of years
>can become the private property of whoever wins the race to the patent
>office?
>* is it right that public domain software can be privatised by someone who
>makes a trivial change and slaps on a patent?
>* who "owns" and who has access to the vast collections of data now held
>about everyone?
>* is it fair that traditional knowledge can be patented by corporations, or
>is this a form of piracy?
>
>The tendency to commodify has reached an alarming pitch, and no areas of
>knowledge are immune.
>
>SGR together with the Institute of Science in Society, the International
>Network of Engineers and Scientists, the Tebtebba Foundation (International
>Centre for Research, Education and Capacity Building for Indigenous
>Peoples) and the Third World Network are developing a Convention on
>Knowledge that addresses these and related problems.
>
>As well as summarising the problems, the draft Convention suggests ideas
>for an alternative way forward, encouraging an attitude to knowledge that
>will help us all to live more equitably and sustainably with nature and
>with each other.
>
>If you are concerned about the enclosure of the knowledge commons,
>this meeting is for you.
>
>
>The programme includes:
>
>* Science, Knowledge and the Public Good by Dr Nicholas Maxwell,
>philosopher and author of the book "From Knowledge to Wisdom" and numerous
>articles relating to knowledge, wisdom, science and the public good
>
>* An Introduction to the Convention on Knowledge by Dr Mae Wan Ho, Director
>of the Institute of Science in Society, and initiator of the draft
>convention
>
>* A Report on the Feedback that SGR has Received to Date on the Draft
>Convention by Dr Philip Webber, Vice Chair of SGR
>
>* A Progress Report on Ongoing Research by SGR on the Influence of Vested
>Interests on Science by Dr Jonathan Goulding, SGR
>
>* Submitted Brief Presentations on the Convention or other aspects of
>"Knowledge - Common Heritage, Not Private Property"
>
>* Discussions in which all may participate.
>
>
>Short Addresses:
>
>A limited number of speaking slots (ten minutes including discussion time)
>are available. Submissions may be made at any time until 1 November, but
>will (if accepted) be allocated on a "first come, first served" basis. To
>apply for such a slot, please fill in the relevant boxes of the
>registration form.
>
>Alternatively, you may apply separately from registering by e-mailing a
>title and abstract (not more than 100 words) to <[log in to unmask]>. (No html
>or attachments please!). You will be notified promptly of the result of
>your application.
>
>
>Fees: Unwaged - £6 (all); Waged - £9 (SGR members)/£12 (non-members)
>
>
>Registration:
>
>To register go to http://www.sgr.org.uk/SciencePolicy/RegForm10Nov.html
>where you will a printable registration form.
>
>Please post your completed registration form and cheque not later than 1
>November to Scientists for Global Responsibility, PO Box 473, Folkestone
>CT20 1GS.
>
>A conference pack will be sent to all participants by post in the week
>before the event.
>
>
>More Information:
>
>The current version of a series of discussion drafts of the Convention on
>Knowledge may be seen on SGR's web site at
>http://www.sgr.org.uk/SciencePolicy/ConvKnowledge.html
>
>More detail on the speakers and their presentations is at
>http://www.sgr.org.uk/SciencePolicy/Speakers.html
>
>
>World Science Day for Peace and Development:
>
>"The UK National Commission for UNESCO welcomes the initiative of
>Scientists for Global Responsibility in calling this conference as a
>contribution to the first UNESCO World Science Day for Peace and
>Development. Science has a central role in global efforts to secure the
>resolution of conflict and sustainable development. The World Science Day
>for Peace and Development provides an important opportunity for scientists
>and development specialists to communicate their concerns and engage with
>wider audiences. Scientists for Global Responsibility's conference is the
>ideal forum for such dialogue in the UK".
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Sgrforum mailing list
>[log in to unmask]
>http://mailman.greennet.org.uk/mailman/listinfo/sgrforum
>
PLEASE NOTE NEW PHONE NUMBER BELOW:
Dr. Tim Foxon,
Imperial College Centre for Energy Policy and Technology (ICCEPT),
4th Floor, RSM Building,
Prince Consort Road,
London SW7 2BP, U.K.
Tel: (+44) (0)20 7594 7318
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7594 9334
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
http://www.env.ic.ac.uk/research/epmg/TimCV.html
|
