Current Project

INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN INDIGENOUS CULTURAL HERITAGE: LEGAL AND POLICY ISSUES

The transdisciplinary research project is a pioneering, independent and scientific undertaking at i-call, University of Lucerne, Switzerland. It addresses the unresolved problem of trading in artefacts that form part of the cultural heritage of an indigenous community and, at the same time, generate income to such communities and their artists. The project encompasses tangible and intangible heritage and covers intellectual property issues as well.

RESEARCH GOALS

Trade Law: The project investigates how international trade law, specifically the law of the WTO, could be adjusted in order to allow indigenous peoples to participate more actively in trade in their cultural heritage, without being impelled to renounce important traditional values.

International Coherence: The project seeks to enhance coherence between the proposed amendments to trade law and other areas of international law relevant for indigenous heritage including human rights, cultural heritage, intellectual property and cultural property.

Four Country Focus: The project tests the acceptance and practicability of the proposed adjustments of international trade law against the legal reality in four jurisdictions with important indigenous populations: Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

COOPERATION and MILESTONES

The research team is cooperating closely with Scientific Partners in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States. It conducts research missions and regularly exchanges information and knowledge with international and national Non-scientific Partners. Conferences and workshops in Lucerne (Switzerland), as well as academic publications are important milestones of the project. The final results of the project will be published in a book.

• Background Information
• Team
• Research Outputs
• News / Press
• Partners
• Exploratory Workshop 2011
• laboratorium lucernaiuris Lecture: Mick Dodson

For further information see our project flyer or contact us.
Find here a report on the project (in German) published in uniluAKTUELL, the newsletter of the University of Lucerne.



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