International Institute for Environment and DevelopmentSwiderska, K.2007-11-132005-11-092007-11-132005http://hdl.handle.net/10625/27160Meeting: WIPO IGC, 6-10 June 2005The International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) is working with researchers in Peru, Panama, India, China and Kenya to conduct research on traditional knowledge systems and the role of customary law. This brief paper provides some comments relating to the Policy Objectives and Principles for the protection of traditional knowledge (World Intellectual Property Organization WIPO/GRTKF/IC/8/5). Unless approaches for traditional knowledge protection are founded on a good understanding of the distinct cultural, biological and ecological character of traditional knowledge systems, they risk doing little to safeguard it and may accelerate its already rapid loss.1 digital fileenTRADITIONAL CULTURECONSERVATION OF CULTURAL HERITAGEGOVERNMENT POLICYRIGHT TO CULTUREINDIGENOUS POPULATIONTRADITIONAL PRACTICESBIODIVERSITYINDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGELOCAL KNOWLEDGEINTELLECTUAL PROPERTYCUSTOMARY LAWGLOBALWorking Paper