[kictanet] Fwd: 1st National Conference & Exhibition for Dissemination of Research Results - 2008

[Alex Gakuru]

Hi Mike, All,

Appreciated this is only their version 1 of the
conference thus commendable, also noted:-

"5.Target Groups

The conference and exhibition is expected to bring
together Research Scientists, Technologists, and
Managers of S&T Institutions; Policy-makers,
Professionals (legal, medical, financial) and others
with interest in Research, Science and Technology. If
you can make a contribution to this important
conference and exhibition, we at the Ministry would be
pleased to hear from you whether you are a presenter,
exhibitor or any other role."

---
Thus some preliminary issues I believe the Ministry
may wish to have?

a)Firstly, the internet is not mentioned at all on the
document both in terms of research into the internet
itself and researched content posted onto the web?
Cannot afford to leave Internet out of *any* policy
deliberations in this digital age!  

b)Whereas the conference targets both technologists
and legal fraternity, I notice issues of Intellectual
Property for the Health and Development Agenda is
missing? for example, recall UoN HIV Vaccine issue and

other research by KARI, KEMRI, ICIPE, et. al., and
"HOWTO" protect currently exposed local innovations. 

c) Excessive and unbalanced "West" intellectual
property rights:

In a digital world, one of the greatest threats to
freedom of expression, creativity and innovation are
excessive and unbalanced intellectual property rights.
The Internet makes copies in order to display info, so
copyright rules are implicated in order to read or
share info on Internet.

We have moved to a place where our legal rules are in
contrast with our technology – we have ability to
share knowledge and culture but our legal rules often
make it illegal to do so. So our social and
development goals in contrast with our intellectual
property rights legal rules.

This key point is frequently misunderstood by the
public and government officials, and this
misunderstanding is enabled by IP industry, who
disseminates false information about the rights of
consumers, and lobbies lawmakers to change the law and
take more rights away from consumers.

<http://ipjustice.org/wp/2007/11/13/robin-gross-remarks-at-igf-2007-on-internet-bill-of-rights/>

d) Thus, I believe, the Ministry of Trade and Industry
should somehow be involved because research results in
traded products and services and international
agreements they sign should take cognisance of this
reality?

Do the organisers respond to emails because I am ready
to be e-intouch but if they live their e-communication
service charter:) 

Perhaps others' have opinions? 


thanks,


Alex
 
--- Mike Theuri <mike.theuri at gmail.com> wrote:
>


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