WEBINAR Tuesday 9th November 2pm – 4.30 pm (EET)

Intellectual property protection and the safeguarding of Nordic indigenous traditional knowledge

How can intellectual property strategies support the safeguarding of Nordic indigenous traditional knowledge? What are the practical challenges facing culture bearers in safeguarding their traditional knowledge and using intellectual property protection to protect their economic and strategic interests? How can institutions offer their support? Join us for a webinar to hear more and discuss!

This webinar is a side event to the high-level Conference on Protection of Nordic Indigenous traditional knowledge and Intellectual Property (Nov 11, 2021 Inari and online). The aim of the webinar is to strengthen regional cross-border co-operation and increase expertise in the Nordic countries on intellectual property law and safeguarding traditional knowledge, or intangible cultural heritage. It provides an opportunity to support indigenous communities seeking to manage their cultural heritage in the Nordic region.

The webinar is organized by the Finnish Heritage Agency in cooperation with the Sámi Parliaments of Finland and Norway. The webinar is in English and it is open and free for all. The webinar will be organized on MS Teams.

Please register by 4th November the latest on the link at the bottom of this page. We will send the Teams link to the registered participants.

PROGRAMME (times in EET = Helsinki time)

14.00 Opening
14.10 Background for the work on Sámi ICH, Silja Somby and Siri Wernberg, Sámi Parliament of Norway
14.30 IMKÁS Project - Study for the future of Sámi IP, Piia Nuorgam, Sami Parliament Norway
14.45 Experiences from Greenland, Kirstine Møller, National Museum of Greenland
15.00 Questions and discussion
15.15 Coffee break (10-15 mins)

15.30 Panel debate: Challenges and opportunities on using legal and other tools to support ICH safeguarding 
Pirita Näkkäläjärvi, Finnish Sami Parliament
Jelena Porsanger, Riddoduottar Museat
Unna-Maari Pulska, Saami Council
Hjalmar Dahl, Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)
Jacob Adams, chair

16.20 Conclusions
16.30 End of the webinar

Chair of the day: Silja Somby, Sámi Parliament of Norway

The event brings together experts from different areas and disciplines to discuss how to maximize the practical benefit from use of intellectual property tools by indigenous communities within the Nordic countries. The webinar focuses on how the protection of indigenous rights and interests using intellectual property law can be aligned with the safeguarding of Nordic indigenous traditional knowledge. It takes a closer look at how experiences under the UNESCO Convention on the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage can support this work.

The webinar will discuss practical ideas and proposals to support the use of intellectual property protection for safeguarding and protection of traditional knowledge.

More information
Leena Marsio, Finnish Heritage Agency leena.marsio(at)museovirasto.fi +358 29533  6017
Silja Somby; Sámi Parliament, Norway, silja.somby(at)samediggi.no +47 78 48 42 30

Photo: Oda-Liv Koivisto/ Heimojen tanssi (”Dance of the tribes”)