Press Release Summary: Indigenous people of the tropical island nations of the South Pacific will be left bereft through the ruthless abuse of Intellectual Property Rights, unless they get some outside assistance.
Press Release Body: The indigenous communities, with their ancient culture and traditions, on the tropical islands of the South Pacific, are not being protected by International Property Rights, in the ever expanding global scene of commerce. The only way to stop the highway theft is to look urgently and seriously to the education of the next generation.
The book 'Pacific Genes and Life Patents', co-edited by Aroha Te Pareaka Mead talks of Carol Jenkins, who as a medical anthropologist, allegedly stole leukemia curing genes from the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Through its National Health Institute, the United States patented the DNA cells, without gaining the Hagahai peoples' permission. This stole what rightly belongs to a unique group of people and their unborn generations.
The main question, as old as commerce itself, remains? Who should benefit from such finds? The company that spends time and money developing the valuable find, or the original owners of the raw material?
What is owned is the property of everyone in the group, Mead explains. The indigenous people of the Pacific nations don't own anything. For individuals, who culturally own nothing, to begin to claim Intellectual Property Rights, is to deny what is owned communally. "They don’t own the myths and traditions they pass from generation, the music they sing, their mind, their bodies, the words they speak, or the dances they dance. All these form part of their ancient heritage. Any creativity, or gifts, become part of the next generation’s heritage".
If money is owed to a nephew, the uncle has full right to claim some of it. Let a Pacific islander borrow a shirt and it is usually not returned. Not because they are trying to steal the shirt, but because their simplistic inherent belief is that wealth is defined by what they can give away. Their ability to play host, to be generous and give to others is a measure of their riches.
The local villagers do not have the idea of amassing wealth, as practiced in developed countries. When the price of local grown commodities rise due to the rising universal food prices, the local people produce less. Once they have earned enough money to pay for school fees, buy some simple staple supplies and clothing what is the need to sell any more of their crop? Why should they bother to do extra work, if they can earn the same amount for less effort? They have no lasting allegiance to a cash economy, though they do like to enjoy the limited benefits it gives them.
The majority of the people particularly in rural areas, are not able to recognize potential commercial opportunities within their culture and capitalize on them. If there were any commercial potential, from cultural expression to mineral rich volcanic ash, metaphysics to blood cells, unique flora or fauna, the Pacific islanders would unknowingly remain sitting on an untapped gold mine.
Education is no longer a luxury to be partaken of or not. It is an absolute necessity if the islanders are to efficiently and effectively gain the benefits of the 21st century, while understanding how to protect their custom rights and privileges and island way of life.
The message is clear for countries like the still underdeveloped tropical island nation of Vanuatu. The days of poorly educated politicians leaping on the Government gravy train and blundering their way through a few years of pocket-lining public office are over. There is a rising swell of opinion, demanding better education and health facilities, for all members of the community. There is a desperate need for large companies and small to acknowledge the immense value of a Corporate Conscience.
About the Author: Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO’s of YouMe Support Foundation http://youmesupport.org) providing high school education grants through a Blue Moon Opportunity. You can really help make a difference. Take a few minutes to check it out http://winaresort.com
Web Site: http://winaresort.com
Contact Details: Seachange Lodge PO.Box 5101 Cook avenue Tel/Fax 26551 Port Vila VANUATU
2022
