The primary objectives of the Centre for Real Economy Study (Crest) are to catalyse economic research with a sectoral focus, especially relatively under-researched service sectors, and to improve the flow of information on relevant research between the policy and academic communities. The Provincial Economic Intelligence Unit’s (PEIU’s) objectives are to develop sub-national economic analysis capacity so as to inform Provincial Growth and Development Strategy processes. The SADC Trade Development Project is a three-year partnership between AusAID and TIPS created to conduct a number of research projects on trade reform in Southern Africa. The project aims to develop research infrastructure in the region by creating new databases, formulate policy- and private sector-relevant information tools and publications to inform policy, and build capacity in the region. The Trade & Industry Monitor’s main objective is to disseminate policy-relevant economic research, from macroeconomic policy to competition and regulation policy, ‘development’ issues in general, as well as sub-national economic policy issues, in an accessible format to policy-makers and analysts. The Academic Data Access and Training facility (ADAT) seeks to reinvigorate the relationship between TIPS and the economics departments of tertiary institutions. The ADAT facility will provide post-graduate students with access to new economic data not readily available to Universities as well as provide Small Research Grants to researchers undertaking policy-oriented studies in TIPS’ programme areas. The Southern African Development Research Network is a broad-based policy and research network which aims to increase the supply of policy-relevant research in the region and strengthen evidence-based policy-making. SADRN will initially focus on industrial policy and sector development at the regional level, service sector development and the impact on poverty, and trade policy and its linkages to pro-poor growth. Under the Small Enterprise Development (SED) programme, TIPS as an independent, credible institution not directly involved in the delivery of SMME services has since 2004 undertaken a number of broad-ranging, qualitative assessments of the outcomes of government's policy, strategy and initiatives in small enterprise development. The purpose of this project is to contribute to reducing poverty and inequality in South Africa by supporting the government to develop a Strategy for the Second Economy, as part of its Accelerated Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (Asgi-SA), located in the Presidency. Economic Regulation
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Regional Dialogue on Intellectual Property Rights, Innovation and Sustainable Development in Eastern and Southern Africa

Date(s): 2004-06-29 to 2007-07-01
Venue: Cape Town, South Africa

Over recent years, there has been an unprecedented increase in the scope and level of protection of intellectual property rights (IPRs), including patents, copyrights, trademarks, and geographical indications. This trend has generated new opportunities, but also new tensions around key public policy concerns such as public health, food security, education, innovation, transfer of technology and biodiversity management. While much of the debate still focuses on the WTO TRIPS Agreement, higher standards of protection, with narrowed down exceptions (TRIPS plus) are increasingly being included in new bilateral and regional free trade agreements. In a knowledge-based economy, a strong understanding of IPRs and their development implications is indispensable to informed policy-making in all areas of human development. As a contribution to this debate, the dialogue aims to:

  • Provide a platform for a strategic discussion between relevant stakeholders (negotiators, capital-based policy makers, academia, NGOs and private sector) on relevant trends and thematic issues in the area of intellectual property and their implications for sustainable development; and
  • Develop elements of a regional agenda for development- oriented intellectual property policies and informal mechanisms to advance it in the coming years, through, among others, joint research and networking.

The dialogue was organised and conducted as an open, informal process, bringing together 20-25 stakeholders with a variety of interests and experiences. Formal presentations were kept to a minimum, allowing enough time for a frank and open debate. Think pieces on the four topics for discussion identified in the agenda were conducted by resource persons from the region. The presentations by resource persons were followed by observations and comments by the discussants.

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This initiative was developed in the framework of the joint UNCTAD-ICTSD Project on IPRs and Sustainable Development, which aims to improve the understanding of the development implications of IPRs and facilitate an informed participation of developing countries in ongoing negotiations, through policy-oriented research, multi-stakeholder dialogues and outreach. ictsd logo

Further information about this Regional Dialogue is available at: http://www.iprsonline.org/unctadictsd/dialogue/2004-06-29/2004-06-29_desc.htm

Further information about Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and Sustainable Development is available at the internet portal.

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