SciDev.Net
Science and Development Network
News, views and information about science, technology and the developing world
Definitions
List of terms for Indigenious knowledge
Producing enough food for a rapidly growing population, and taking care of our planet are two of the world's biggest challenges.
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Trade-related Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
The Agreement on Trade-related Aspect of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) - one of the main results of the Uruguay Rounds of the General Agreement on Tariffs of Trade, concluded in 1994 - is now the key international agreement promoting the harmonisation of national intellectual property rights (IPR) systems. TRIPS is intended to introduce new rules and disciplines for global trade concerning (1) the provision of adequate standards and principles concerning the availability, scope and use of trade-related intellectual property rights, (2) effective and appropriate means for the enforcement of trade-related intellectual property rights, and (3) effective and expeditious procedures for the multilateral prevention and settlement of disputes between governments.
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
Traditional ecological knowledge describes those aspects of indigenous knowledge systems relating to the use, management and conservation of the environment and natural resources. TEK is a cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs, about the relationships of living beings (including humans) with one another and with their environment.
Traditional Knowledge (TK)
Traditional knowledge is a cumulative body of knowledge, know-how, practices and representations maintained and developed by peoples with long histories of interaction with their natural environment. TK provides the basis for local level decision-making about many fundamental aspects of day-to-day life. [Source: ICSU]
Traditional medicine
The term 'traditional medicine' refers to ways of protecting and restoring health that existed before the arrival of modern medicine. As the term implies, these approaches to health belong to the traditions of each country, and have been handed down from generation to generation. Traditional systems in general have had to meet the needs of the local communities for many centuries. China and India, for example, have developed very sophisticated systems such as acupuncture and ayurvedic medicine. In practice, the term 'traditional medicine' refers to the following components: acupuncture, traditional birth attendants, mental healers and herbal medicine. [Source: WHO]
Traditional resource rights (TRR)
Traditional resources include plants, animals, and other material objects that may have sacred, ceremonial, heritage, or aesthetic qualities. 'Property' for indigenous peoples and local communities frequently has intangible, spiritual manifestations and, although worthy of protection, can belong to no human being. The change in terminology from intellectual property rights (IPR) to TRR reflects an attempt to build on the concept of IPR protection and compensation, while recognising that traditional resources - both tangible and intangible - are also covered under a significant number of international agreements that can be used to form the basis for a sui generis system. [Source: University of Oxford]
Information Services
The global food crisis
A series of articles debate key issues such as GM technology, media reporting and agricultural policymaking
