File:African Voices in Copyright Reform, Right to Research in Africa Conf., Cape Town, 26Jan2023.webm

English: African Voices in Copyright Reform, Right to Research in Africa Conference, University of Cape Town, 26 Jan 2023

Strengthening the Voices of Africa & the Global South: New Directions in WIPO, AfCFTA and Copyright in Africa. Facilitating science, creativity and innovation.

As copyright increasingly deals with core public issues, how do we ensure that African and Global South voices, including indigenous and minority voices are amplified? What legal approaches for copyright enable this? How do legislative changes at the national level affect multilateral policy making in copyright? What opportunities and need for harmonisation arise from the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement? This session, taking stock of the previous discussions in Pretoria and Cape Town, brings together the global, the regional, the national and the local to reflect on a future copyright agenda focused on development, diversity and the public interest. Chair: Dr. Viviana Muñoz-Tellez, Programme Coordinator, South Centre

Bridging the gap between multilateral and national processes: where are these issues being discussed in international fora

Dr Vitor Ido, South Centre

How can Africa use human rights instruments to strengthen its right to research and public interest in copyright law? Dr Sanya Samtani, SARCHI Chair for International and Constitutional Law, UP What are copyright law approaches countries may use to enable preservation and uses of research materials? Prof. Sean Flynn, American University Washington College of Law

What processes at WIPO are addressing issues related to copyright user rights, including for preservation, research, and cultural heritage institutions?

Prof. Dick Kawooya, School of Information Science, U. of South Carolina Teresa Hackett, Copyright and Libraries Programme Manager, Electronic Information for Libraries

What objectives are Africa negotiators pursuing in relation to copyright and research issues in the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement? Prof. Caroline Ncube, DSI-NRF SARChI Research Chair: Intellectual Property, Innovation & Development, University of Cape Town

How does recognition of the right to research contribute to Africa’s digital transformation? Prof. Desmond Oriakhogba, University of Venda

Discussants: Prof. Tobias Schonwetter, Director IP Unit, Faculty of Law, UCT Hananai Hlomanu, Researcher IP Unit, Faculty of Law, UCT Prof. Jeremy DeBeer, University of Ottawa, Centre for Law, Technology and Society Prof. Allan Rocha, Federal University of Rio De Janeiro

More on the Right to Research in Africa Conference:

How can Africa predict and respond to the next pandemic? How do we model the impact of climate change on agriculture? How can we ensure access to accurate news and research in all African languages? Can we digitize our heritage to preserve it for future generations? Can we use AI to build a better future for Africa?

Answering these questions requires the very latest computational research methods. We need to mine information from research sources and databases all over the world. Do African researchers have access to the data they need? Does copyright law help or hinder the Right to Research?

Policymakers, academics and activists from across the continent.

Including African researchers, legal experts, and intergovernmental organisations join together to discuss these important topics.