Here's some information on an initiative that we are assisting Franklin Pierce Law Center with. The idea is to provide training for Public Interest Advocates as well as establishing the foundation for Intellectual Property Rights (both generally accepted concepts and Traditional Knowledge). We are in the preliminary stages of this initiative and are seeking partner institutions as well as funding. Wayne King The Electronic Community Enhancing NGO Productivity and Capacity through Technology & Communication http://www.ElectronicCommunity.org *********************************************************** Read the Electronic Community's Most Recent eZine http://www.electroniccommunity.org/News/May_30_2001.htm ******************************************************************** Join the Electronic Community Mailing List Send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ****************************************************** The Franklin Pierce Initiative Building a Legal Foundation For Growth & Civility Across the Globe About the Franklin Pierce Initiative I. The Mission To create a network of partner Universities and institutions with the dual goals of actively participating in the development of a sustainable legal infrastructure for the protection of (1) private & collective (associated with Traditional Knowledge & Folklore) intellectual property rights; and, (2) public interest advocacy that educates individuals in the skills for protection for the public interest within the context of developing the economic and legal framework for private investment. The Franklin Pierce Initiative will seek to identify and collaborate with Universities, Law Schools and other appropriate institutions to foster the development of these legal frameworks in a manner that respects regional and indigenous values as well as general legal principles and the human rights of all people. II. The Concept The Franklin Pierce Initiative is based on a very powerful concept that merges the goals of nurturing civil society in developing nations and at the same time playing a substantive role in the creation of a "legal infrastructure" for sustainable economic growth. By strengthening legal curriculum, knowledge and access in developing nations, with respect to Intellectual Property Rights, we seek to establish a foundation of fundamental legal principles that nurture an environment conducive to private investment in these nations. By strengthening curriculum, knowledge and access in the realm of Public Interest and Advocacy, we seek to help build a legal and paralegal infrastructure for public interest advocacy that will contribute to the building of a wave of civil advocacy across the spectrum of challenges nations face: healthcare, environmental protection, gender equality, access to capital and more. By focusing on these aspects of the law, we believe synergies can be achieved that will dramatically stimulate economic growth, while protecting the public interest and enhancing the transparency of institutions. III. Specific Goals within the Initiative A. Development of Shared Learning Capacity By employing traditional approaches and newer technology-based solutions we seek to develop shared learning capacity of all institutions involved through both specific curriculum as well as delivery methodologies. B. Development of a Legal Framework for Respecting Private Intellectual Property Rights in Developing Nations. The Franklin Pierce Initiative seeks to play a role in strengthening private investment in developing nations by helping to create the "legal-infrastructure" for the respect of Private Intellectual Property Rights. Specific Objectives within the context of this goal include: The development of an International Institute for Intellectual Property Rights with multiple centers in countries around the globe; and, a series of conferences focusing on the challenges in specific developing nations/regions. C. Development of a Legal Framework for Understanding and Respecting the Intellectual Property Rights of Indigenous People. Respecting the Intellectual Property Rights of indigenous peoples present a complex and difficult set of challenges for the legal community and international commerce. The Franklin Pierce Initiative will move to advance the dialogue that is necessary to help develop a legal framework that respects the interests of indigenous peoples and advances economic opportunity. Specific objectives within the context of this goal include the development of an International Institute for Intellectual Property Rights Associated with Tradition Knowledge and Folklore and a series of conferences focusing on the challenges in specific developing nations/regions. D. Development of a Network of Community Advocates to Enhance the Public Interest Legal Infrastructure. Specifically because lessons learned in developed-nations point to the need for a strong base of public advocacy in the face of efforts to enhance economic growth opportunities, the Franklin Pierce Initiative seeks to advance the legal and paralegal education of advocates at the community level. This will be achieved by developing curriculum and delivery methodologies that educate individuals to work within the context of their specific communities. The specific objectives of this goal lie in the creation of legal, para-legal and non-credentialed advocates. * Public Interest Infrastructure Project: As one example of this, the FPI is working with the Electronic Community Project to develop a series of projects where we combine the donation of computers, computer and Internet training and development of a curriculum that allows individuals from local NGOs to earn a certificate or degree without leaving the employ of their NGO. Additionally, integrating specific problems of the NGO into the learning process create an added benefit to the NGO sufficient to offset the "risk" of providing training that might cause their designated person to seek other employment. This is achieved combining traditional approaches to teaching (weekend seminars/institutes, traditional classroom activities, mock problem solving etc.) with Internet delivery of curriculum and interactive learning via the Internet. E. Strengthening the Professional Capacity of Partner Institutions Through education, training, teacher exchanges, workshops and institutes, the Franklin Pierce Initiative will help develop the capacity of partner institutions. Specifically, we will assist partners with curriculum development; provide ideas, advice and training in Law School Administration; and, provide training in strategic planning, legal research, authoring and other aspects of the law that both enhance the professional capacity of institutions and their reputation within the legal community as a whole. IV. About Franklin Pierce Law Center Franklin Pierce Law Center (FPLC) is consistently ranked in the top five Law Schools in the US in the area of Intellectual Property Law . Additionally, FPLC has a very strong program in Public Interest Law (Community Law). In both of these programming areas, FPLC has developed a reputation for providing a hands-on, personal, legal education where training, clinical experiences and real life experiences blend to make the law a positive force for social change and economic growth. FPLC is committed to maintaining its competitive edge in these areas without compromising its goal of retaining its character as a school that is intentionally small in order to provide quality, personal legal education. As a result of this, Franklin Pierce Law Center has made a commitment to expanding its reach internationally by creating strategic partnerships with other colleges and universities throughout the world. These partnerships will help strengthen the partner institutions, increase the international reach and effectiveness of Franklin Pierce Law Center, and ultimately, serve to strengthen the global legal infrastructure in these and other areas of law and public interest. The Franklin Pierce Initiative is working closely with The Electronic Community Project, a nonprofit organization that provides on-site and Web-based training and content to civil society and development organizations. Additionally, The Franklin Pierce Initiative engages other local organizations in the regions in which it becomes involved to assure that a local presence provides prompt attention to emerging issues. ------------ ***GKD is an initiative of the Global Knowledge Partnership*** To post a message, send it to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To subscribe or unsubscribe, send a message to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. In the 1st line of the message type: subscribe gkd OR type: unsubscribe gkd Archives of previous GKD messages can be found at: <http://www.globalknowledge.org>
