[kictanet] Fwd: 1st National Conference & Exhibition for Dissemination of Research Results - 200

[Mike Theuri]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for your feedback, I'm sure that yours and others feedback will
be welcomed
by the Ministry. I have copied David on this message and by way of
this message would
like to ask him to join Kictanet so that he can also benefit from some
of the discussion
and feedback that is being shared.

Mike

On Nov 25, 2007 12:08 AM, Alex Gakuru <alex.gakuru at yahoo.com> wrote:
> 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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>