Growing Diversity by GRAIN | 18 Jul 2002 Seedling - July 2002 One of the most significant positive changes that has occurred in the field of biodiversity over Seedling's 20-year lifetime is a global awakening to the importance of the local custodianship of biodiversity. Farmers and indig-enous peoples finally began to feature in international treaties, policy docu-ments and programme plans. The Growing Diversity Project was launched to strengthen and exchange experiences in this field. After many years of planning and two busy years of activities, Growing Diversity has come to its official end with an international workshop held in Brazil in May. One of the most significant positive changes that has occurred in the field of biodiversity over Seedling's 20-year lifetime is a global awakening to the importance of the local custodianship of biodiversity. Farmers and indig-enous peoples finally began to feature in international treaties, policy docu-ments and programme plans. The Growing Diversity Project was launched to strengthen and exchange experiences in this field. After many years of planning and two busy years of activities, Growing Diversity has come to its official end with an international workshop held in Brazil in May.
WIPO moves toward 'world' patent system by GRAIN | 10 Jul 2002 In the last few years the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a United Nations body mandated to promote intellectual property rights, has started building a “world patent” system. It may mean the end of patent policy as a tool for national development strategies and is likely to overtake the World Trade Organisation’s TRIPS agreement. Any deviation from its rules would be subject to some kind of sanction: it would be the final word. In the last few years the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), a United Nations body mandated to promote intellectual property rights, has started building a “world patent” system. It may mean the end of patent policy as a tool for national development strategies and is likely to overtake the World Trade Organisation’s TRIPS agreement. Any deviation from its rules would be subject to some kind of sanction: it would be the final word.
Farida Akhtar - founder of UBINIG by GRAIN | 9 Jul 2002 Seedling - July 2002 Farida Akhtar is one of the founders of UBINIG, a Bangladeshi NGO which has set up one of the biggest community seed banks in the world. Here she talks to Seedling about their successes so far. Farida Akhtar is one of the founders of UBINIG, a Bangladeshi NGO which has set up one of the biggest community seed banks in the world. Here she talks to Seedling about their successes so far.
GMO brings hardship to S. Sulawesi, farmers claim by A'an Suryana, The Jakarta Post | 1 Jun 2002 Bt cotton fails in Indonesia http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20020601.L03 Bt cotton fails in Indonesia http://www.thejakartapost.com/yesterdaydetail.asp?fileid=20020601.L03