Task: Community case study You may choose one of the networks/institutions/organisations that you identified as sites for information in relation to Indigenous knowledges/perspectives in Module 2 for...

COMMUNITY CASE STUDY
Table of Contents
Introduction    3
Explanation of the Study    3
Background of the Organisation and Active Social Engagement in Policy and Advocacy Reflects Broader Indigenous Contemporary Perspectives    4
Highlight of Ethics and Protocols in Accessing and Utilising Indigenous Knowledge    5
Addressing Issues Related To Indigenous Human, Culture and Intellectual Property Rights    5
Conclusion    6
References    8
Introduction
Indigenous knowledge or perspectives refer to the traditional knowledge developed and possessed by native communities. Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander communities contributed to the majority of native community within Australia and preserving their traditional knowledge or information is essential. Intellectual property (IP) rights have been assigned to the knowledge, which belongs to native communities in order to preserve the authenticity and prevent misuse of the information by national or international corporate sectors. This report will discuss the initiatives and contribution of ‘Australian Human Rights Commission’ to preserve the native information and to give credits to these communities for their information. Further, efforts will be made to present the ethical issues and the significance of consideration towards traditional knowledge in policymaking.
Explanation of the Study
Chapter 7 of Human rights discusses ‘The protection of indigenous Knowledge’. This study indicates that over the time indigenous communities have been able to develop a close connection to the nature and land and the environment, within which they live. Therefore, they have established distinct knowledge related to innovation and practices related to the use as well as management of biological diversity (Human Rights, 2020). This information is exclusively limited to these communities and this study reflects that the much of this knowledge could contribute towards research and development in areas such as, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products.
However, Birch (2016) suggested that using this information without consent or without adequately recognising, the role of indigenous communities has been considered inappropriate. Therefore, Australian Human Rights Commission considers that native communities not only demands recognition but also protection of this knowledge. Likewise, native communities not only deserve the right to share equity and benefits derived from using the information in commercial purposes. Likewise, this study also draw attention towards the fact that indigenous communities have the ability to react and interpret towards the change in climate and incorporate adaptations accordingly. Therefore, indigenous people’s intellectual and cultural knowledge along with the understanding of environment could be used.
Likewise, this study also summarises all the possible threats to the indigenous traditional knowledge such as, political pressure, cultural integrity, social and economic pressure, territorial pressure along with developmental policy and globalisation. These native communities have already been suppressed by the world surrounding them; therefore, they certainly are not expected to be aware of the importance traditional knowledge might possess. Lack of protection on a national level could result into intensification of these threats. Further, the chapter also discusses existing national as well as international frameworks to recognise the rights of indigenous people and protect their traditional knowledge. Policy frameworks and legislations with respect to the use of protection and use of traditional knowledge and perspective have also been addressed in the selected study.
Background of the Organisation and Active Social Engagement in Policy and Advocacy Reflects Broader Indigenous Contemporary...