PIJIP’s project on Copyright and the Right to Research organized a group of leading copyright academics, stakeholders, and computational researchers for a policy retreat in the Cradle of Humankind, South Africa, February 23-25, 2024. The subject of the meeting was enabling African and other Global South uses of digital research tools without promoting “data colonialism” concerns, including wrongful uses of traditional knowledge and community-held information. 

The participants at the 3-day residential retreat included: 
Allan Rocha, Federal University Rio De Janeiro
Ben Cashdan, Black Stripe Foundation
Caroline Ncube, University of Cape Town
Chidi Oguamanam, University of Ottawa
Chijioke Okorie, University of Pretoria
Denise Nicholson, Scholarly Horizons
Desmond Oriakhogba, University of Western Cape
Kyla Jade, Recreate Coalition
Sanya Samtani, Mandela Institute, University of the Witwatersrand
Sean Flynn, American University Washington College of Law
Tobias Schonwetter, University of Cape Town
Vitor Ido, South Centre
Vukosi Marivate, University of Pretoria

The meeting produced a draft set of Cradle Principles on Knowledge Governance and a  Research Agenda, which are now open to comment. The Principles and Research Agenda seek to guide inquiry and policy-making into how knowledge governance systems can “promote the goals of sustainable development, social justice, and human rights, including the rights of everyone to produce, receive and impart information; to create, produce, participate in and benefit from culture and science; to benefit from the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production; and of indigenous peoples to self-determination, culture, language, and participation in decision-making processes affecting their communities.” 

PIJIP Director Sean Flynn chaired a panel discussion with members of the retreat to present the Principles and Research Agenda for comment at the Transforming Africa 2024 Conference at the University of Johannesburg, on 28 February 2024. Both documents are currently open for public comment before the next revision later in the year.