NON-BUSINESS NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (NGOs)

Genetic Resources Action International (GRAIN)

Action Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration Etc., Formerly (Rural Advancement Foundation International (RAFI))

Third World Network (TWN)

Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)

The Earth Council

The Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Network (IPBN)

The United Kingdom Agricultural Biotechnology Commission (UKABC)

Action Aid

Centre for International Environmental Law(CIEL)

The GAIA Foundation

International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)

Greenpeace

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

GENETIC RESOURCES ACTION INTERNATIONAL (GRAIN)

http://www.grain.org

GRAIN is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) which promotes the sustainable management and use of agricultural biodiversity based on people's control over genetic resources and local knowledge.

GRAIN was established at the beginning of the 1990s to launch a decade of popular action against one of the most pervasive threats to world food security: genetic erosion. The loss of biological diversity undermines the very sense of "sustainable development" as it destroys options for the future and robs people of a key resource base for survival. Genetic erosion means more than just the loss of genetic diversity. In essence it is an erosion of options for development. Central to our approach is the conviction that the conservation and use of genetic resources is too important to leave to scientists, governments and industry alone. Farmers and community organizations have nurtured genetic diversity for millennia, and continue to do so. Any effort in this field should take their experience as a starting point.

GRAIN is fundamentally opposed to the patenting of all life-forms and their structural and functional components. In its paper, For a full review of TRIPS 27.3(b), released in March 2000, GRAIN supported the proposals advanced by many developing country governments, namely:

(a)      a thorough review of the provisions of Article 27.3(b);

(b)      an extension of the TRIPS transition periods;

(c)      the resolution of outstanding issues, including a call to clarify that life forms    should not be patentable.

GRAIN exerts its aims, ideas and position through its BIO-IPR listserver, which circulates information about developments in the filed of intellectual property rights related to biodiversity and associated knowledge and through lobbying at relevant international flora. Now entering its 15th year of work, GRAIN has witnessed and contributed to an enormous and ever-growing momentum of international concern, debate and action to redress the imbalances in the management and control of biodiversity.

ACTION GROUP ON EROSION, TECHNOLOGY AND CONCENTRATION ETC FORMERLY (RURAL ADVANCEMENT FOUNDATION INTERNATIONAL (RAFI))

http://www.etcgroup.org

E: Eco Equity Erosion

T: Technology Transformation

C: Corporate Concentration

ETC group is dedicated to the conservation and sustainable advancement of cultural and ecological diversity and human rights. To this end, ETC group supports socially responsible developments of technologies useful to the poor and marginalized and it addresses international governance issues and corporate power.

ETC group works in partnership with civil society organizations (CSOs) for cooperative and sustainable self-reliance within disadvantaged societies, by providing information and analysis of socioeconomic and technological trends and alternatives. This work requires joint actions in community, regional, and global fLora.

ETC group's strength is in the research and analysis of technological information (particularly but not exclusively plant genetic resources, biotechnologies, and [in general] biological diversity), and in the development of strategic options related to the socioeconomic ramifications of new technologies.

ETC group works primarily at the global and regional (continental or sub-continental) levels. ETC group does not undertake grassroots, community, or national work. ETC group supports partnerships with community, national, or regional CSOs but ETC does not make grants or funds available to other organizations.

E:  Eco-Equity Erosion

Erosion includes not only genetic erosion and the erosion of species, soils, and the atmosphere, but also the erosion of knowledge and the global erosion in equitable relations. We are losing both our biological resources and our eco-specific knowledge of those resources. Ecological destruction increases the commercial importance of dwindling genetic "raw materials." Paradoxically, this is occurring just when new technologies need (and can utilise) the endangered biomaterials. Some of the following categories included in the eco-equity erosion are as follows :

Biopiracy: Biopiracy refers to the appropriation of the knowledge and genetic resources of farming and indigenous communities by individuals or institutions who seek exclusive monopoly control (patents or intellectual property) over these resources and knowledge. ETC group believes that intellectual property is predatory on the rights and knowledge of farming communities and indigenous peoples.

FAO: The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO). The ETC group relates primarily to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the negotiations for a multilateral system of conservation and exchange of genetic resources for food and agriculture, known as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Aside from responsibility for the International Treaty, the FAO Commission oversees the FAO-CGIAR Trust Agreement and provides policy oversight for the germplasm collections included in that agreement. ETC group is also involved with follow-through on the 1996 Food Summit and negotiations related to the Right to Food.

CGIAR: The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is an informal network of 16 international agricultural research centres which manages approximately 600,000 agricultural seed samples. It is the most influential agricultural research body in the South, and thus affects food and agricultural development policies for resource-poor farmers worldwide. In 1994, most of the crop germplasm held in CGIAR gene banks was placed under the auspices of the FAO, to be held in trust for the world community. ETC group is engaged in ongoing work related to the science, governance and patent policies of the CGIAR.

Biodiversity & Genetic Resources: Biological diversity refers to all living organisms, their genetic material and the ecosystems of which they are a part. It is usually described at three levels: genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity. Genetic diversity is the variation of genes between and within species. Genetic diversity within a species permits it to adapt to new pests and diseases, and to changes in environment, climate, and agricultural methods. Biological diversity is the cornerstone of sustainable agriculture and world food security. The UN Convention on Biological Diversity (often referred to as CBD or Biodiversity Convention) is a legally binding framework for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and one of the principle fora for negotiations related to access, benefit sharing and the role of indigenous and local communities.

Cultural Diversity: It is virtually impossible to talk about the conservation and sustainable use of genes, species and ecosystems separate from human cultures. The loss of cultural diversity and traditional knowledge - of farm communities, languages, and indigenous cultures - is intricately linked to the loss of biological diversity. Indigenous peoples and farming communities are the creators, custodians and continuing innovators of biological knowledge and resources.

Human Rights / Farmers' Rights: Farmers' Rights, endorsed by FAO in 1989, recognizes that farmers and rural communities have contributed greatly- and continue to contribute- to the creation, conservation, exchange and enhancement of genetic resources, and that they should be recognized and strengthened in their work. The ETC group believes that Farmers' Rights must be recognized at the international level, and that its definition should be expanded by the human rights community as part of the Right to Food. ETC group is concerned about the erosion of Farmers' Rights and Human Rights, and about the impact of new technologies on democracy and dissent.

T:         Technology Transformation

" techniques that includes biotechnology, nanotechnology, informatics, and neurosciences. While some of these technologies lean heavily on biological materials, they also lend themselves to control through an ever more lawless patent system. Nanotechnology, which refers to molecular or atomic engineering of both living and non-living resources, has the potential to vitiate the relevance of biomaterials (for those in power) on the assumption that the world's needs can be met through an infinite supply of self-assembling materials. From our perspective, these technologies have "advanced" by way of sequential declensions from seeds to genes to atoms. Technology encompasses the advancing Cornucopia/Pandora's Box of "mechanica

C:        Corporate Concentration

Concentration describes the re-organization of economic power into the hands of high-tech global oligopolies. The interplay between vanishing bioresources, life-dominating new technologies, and the emergence of ever more powerful concentrations of economic control is driving social and political change.

THIRD WORLD NETWORK (TWN)

http://www.twnside.org.sg/

The Third World Network is an independent non-profit international network of organizations and individuals involved in issues relating to development, the Third World and North- South issues.

Its objectives are to conduct research on economic, social and environmental issues pertaining to the South; to publish books and magazines; to organize and participate in seminars; and to provide a platform representing broadly Southern interests and perspectives at international fora such as the UN conferences and processes.

Its recent and current activities include: the publication of the daily SUNS (South - North Development Monitor) bulletin from Geneva, Switzerland, the fortnightly Third World Economics and the monthly Third World Resurgence; the publication of Third World Network Features; the publication of books on environment and economic issues; the organizing of various seminars and workshops; and participation in international processes such as UNCED and the World Bank - NGO Committee.

The TWN's international secretariat is based in Penang, Malaysia. It has offices in Delhi, India; Montevideo, Uruguay (for South America); Geneva; and Accra, Ghana. The Third World Network has affiliated organizations in several Third World countries, including India, the Philippines, Thailand, Brazil, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Peru, Ethiopia, Uruguay, Mexico, Ghana, South Africa and Senegal. It also cooperates with several organizations in the North.

The TWN’s Community Intellectual Rights Act (CIRA) of 1994 was one of the earliest comprehensive efforts to develop model sui generis national legislation that would give community property-style rights of control over their collective knowledge. Its influence can be seen from the adoption in March 1998, by the Scientific, Technical and Research Commission of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU/STRC) task force on community rights and access to biological resources of draft model legislation based on TWN’s CIRS.  The TWN is considered as the most important NGO in the South on the issue of the TRIPS Agreement and biodiversity.  

INSTITUTE FOR AGRICULTURE AND TRADE POLICY (IATP)

http://www.iatp.org/

Who is the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy?

Rooted in Family Farms

In the mid-1980s, family farmers across America were in the fight of their lives. Prices had dropped below the cost of production. Family farmers were told they were inefficient and they had to either get big or get out. Deeply flawed national and international policies were the root cause of the crisis. A galvanizing effort to save the family farm helped spawn the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). In 1986, IATP began documenting the underlying causes of America's rural crisis and proposing

Facing Globalization

IATP works with organizations around the world to analyze how global trade agreements impact domestic farm and food policies. Alongside a global coalition, IATP advocates for fair trade policies that promote strong health standards, labor and human rights, the environment and, most fundamentally, democratic institutions.

Building Sustainability

IATP works for developing alternative economic models that include clean sources of energy such as wind power and biofuel that would spur rural development. We're working with landowners to form cooperatives that promote sustainable forest management. We're advocating for green businesses and farms that reduce toxic runoff into the Great Lakes and Mississippi River.

Safe Food, Healthy Ecosystems

IATP is working towards to stop the overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and aquaculture, while limiting the release of mercury and other toxic pollutants that fall onto farmland and enter the food supply. IATP is also monitoring the impact of genetically engineered crops on the environment, human health and farmer income. It has been very active in Geneva, engaging with missions to put over its point of view and supporting a major workshop on Article 27.3(b) of the TRIPs Agreement in November 1998, in cooperation with the South Centre, which did much to raise awareness of the relevant issues with developing country delegates to the WTO.

THE EARTH COUNCIL

http://www.ecouncil.ac.cr/

The Earth Council is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that was created in September 1992 to promote and advance the implementation of the Earth Summit agreements. It is led by a body of 18 Members, drawn from the world's political, business, scientific and non-governmental communities. Sixteen eminent world leaders serve as Honorary Members, and an 18 member Earth Council Institute functions as an advisory board. Three fundamental objectives have guided the work of the Earth Council since its inception:

• to promote awareness for the needed transition to more sustainable and equitable patterns of development
• to encourage public participation in decision-making processes at all levels of government
• to build bridges of understanding and cooperation between important actors of civil society and governments worldwide

THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ PEOPLES’ BIODIVERSITY NETWORK (IPBN)

The IPBN is an association of indigenous peoples and indigenous peoples’ organizations working towards the common goal of nurturing biological diversity for the benefit of indigenous communities and humankind as a whole. The IPBN was established by indigenous peoples who acted as observers at the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee on the Convention on Biological Diversity in October 1993.

The IPBN is active in issues of indigenous knowledge, intellectual property and benefit sharing and works closely with indigenous communities around the world to strengthen their capacity to maintain and benefit from their own knowledge, innovations and practices, which includes having a voice in national, regional and international policy development. IPBN works in the formulation of policies, laws and programmes relating to biodiversity and protection of traditional knowledge.

THE UNITED KINGDOM AGRICULTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY COMMISSION (UKABC)

http://www.ukabc.org/

The UKabc is concerned about Sustainable Use, Conservation, Trade and Intellectual Property (Farmers' Rights, Plant Breeders Rights, Patents, Seed Laws etc.), Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and other issues related to the equitable use of Agricultural Biodiversity, especially:

Conservation and Sustainable Utilisation of Agricultural Biodiversity

Participation of food producers in the in situ conservation and development of agricultural biodiversity including domestic animal diversity (DAD) and aquatic diversity; utilisation of 'wild' foods and the hidden harvest; local ex situ conservation systems, seed saving and rare breed societies; the impact of gender, and especially women's key contribution. The UKabc supports the work of the Seed Security programme of PELUM in southern and eastern Africa.

Local Community Knowledge and Intellectual Property Systems

Community knowledge systems, including the full implementation of Farmers' Rights and Indigenous Peoples' Rights and the elimination of Biopiracy; intellectual property rights systems, including challenging the application of Patents (especially the European Patent Directive) and other Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs) to plant and animal species, the development of Plant Breeders' Rights including the International Convention for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants 1991 (UPOV 91); improving the legislative environment on seeds and animal breeds for small-scale producers and users of 'unlisted' or 'quasi-legal' varieties and breeds.

Biotechnology, Biosafety and Genetic Engineering

The UKabc has focused its biotechnology work on supporting the lobby on the proposed international Biosafety Protocol. The Biosafety Protocol, currently being negotiated under the auspices of the Convention on Biological Diversity, will be an important international instrument that could, within the specific Jakarta Mandate for the negotiations, help towards ensuring the rights of countries to decide for themselves how they wish to develop their agriculture, to implement sustainable development, to protect their genetic resources, and to ensure food security, in the context of genetic engineering and the growing trade in genetically-engineered organisms and their products.

ACTION AID

http://www.actionaid.org

Action is is an  international development agency whose aim is to fight poverty worldwide. This  charity Formed in 1972, for over 30 years they have been growing and expanding all over and helping over 13 million of the world's poorest and most disadvantaged people in 42 countries worldwide.

Action Aid in its  country programmes  work with local partners to make the most of their knowledge and experience.

In December 2003 it  established a new head office in Johannesburg, South Africa, and began the process of making all its country programmes equal partners with an equal say on how they operate.

They work with local partners to fight poverty and injustice worldwide, reaching over 13 million of the poorest and most vulnerable people over the last year alone, helping them fight for and gain their rights to food, shelter, work, education, healthcare and a voice in the decisions that affect their lives.

Apart from this Action Aid has campaigned against both the introduction of genetically-modified crops and also the patenting of basic good crops on the grounds of threats to the livelihood of the poor and to food security.

CENTRE FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW (CIEL)

http://www.ciel.org

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a nonprofit organization working to use international law and institutions to protect the environment, promote human health, and ensure a just and sustainable society. We provide a wide range of services including legal counsel, policy research, analysis, advocacy, education, training, and capacity building.

CIEL's goals:

1.       to solve environmental problems and promote sustainable          societies        through the use of law,

2.       to incorporate fundamental principles of ecology and justice       into     international law,

3.       to strengthen national environmental law systems and     support         public interest movements around the world, and

4.       to educate and train public-interest-minded environmental         lawyers.

CIEL’s program areas include Climate Change, Biodiversity and Wildlife, Biotechnology, Trade and Sustainable Development, International Financial Institutions, Law and Communities, Persistent Organic Pollutants and Human Rights and the Environment.  CIEL’s work covers more than sixty countries on six continents, with emphasis on the Western Hemisphere, Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States, Asia and Africa.

CIEL's Trade Program seeks to reform the global framework of economic law, policy and institutions in order to create a more balanced global economy that is environmentally sustainable and beneficial to all people in a more equitable way.  The program seeks to ensure that international environmental rules are developed and applied effectively without interference from international trade rules, that trade rules and institutions take account of their environmental impacts without intruding on regulatory areas that are properly the subject of environmental institutions. 

CIEL helps to achieve these goals through legal research and analysis, training and support, and outreach to policymakers, media, and other NGOs.  Working through both our Geneva and Washington offices, CIEL is able to monitor both the U.S. government positions and the World Trade Organization itself. 

THE GAIA FOUNDATION

http://www.gaiafoundation.org

The GAIA Foundation (GAIA) is committed to cultural and biological diversity, and a living Earth democracy.

Through a network of Associates, advisors and partner organisations, Gaia works at all levels; from the grassroots with peasant farmers and indigenous communities, through to the regional and international level with policy-makers and governments.  News, events and publications are shown on the website; and documents on a range of biodiversity-related issues can be downloaded.

A small team (Gaia staff) works closely with Gaia Associates and partner organisations, with occasional support from researchers and volunteers. Activities involve:
-        Support to pioneering people and projects, strategic planning, networking,       fundraising and financial management.

-        Coalition -building, strategic planning, advocacy, research and information       exchange on key issues.