New Publication on Community Protocols in Peru

Asociacion ANDES, the Quechua communities of the Potato Park, and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) have released a new publication entitled, "Community Biocultural Protocols: Building Mechanisms for Access and Benefit-sharing Among the Communities of the Potato Park based on Quechua Customary Norms".

The description is as follows: "The Potato Park communities in Peru are deeply committed to the conservation of biocultural resources, associated knowledge, and indigenous rights, and undertook this research to further investigate the role of customary norms and institutions in the protection of traditional knowledge (TK) and resources. The development of a Biocultural Protocol, in the form of the Inter-community Agreement for Equitable Access and Benefit Sharing, is the result of their efforts. In addition to providing a valuable example of effective community-based protection of TK and genetic or biological resources in praxis, this initiative is also one of only a handful of examples worldwide of working models that stem directly from customary laws and norms.

Given the present international paucity of models that adequately value and protect indigenous and local community rights, biodiversity and customary norms and practices in relation to benefit sharing and access to resources and knowledge – the present initiative may further serve as an example of best practice in relation to the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. Spanish translation is forthcoming." More information is available on the IIED website on biocultural heritage.