Category United Nations

What is WIPO?

The main objective of the World Intellectual Property Organisation is to establish an effective intellectual property ecosystem worldwide to promote innovation and creativity.

The theme for this year’s World Intellectual Property Day is “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity”. But do you know what Intellectual Property is, when and why World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated, and what IP rights involve? Come, let’s find out.

Intangible assets

IP is intellectual property, which can be defined as any intangible asset (not physical in nature) that is an outcome of creativity, and is protected by law through patents, trademarks, and copyrights. (While a patent is a right granted by the government to inventors in order to exclude others from copying or sharing their creations without their permission, a trademark is a word, name, or symbol that a company exclusively puts on its products and that cannot be used by others. Copyright is the exclusive right enjoyed by owners of IP to duplicate their work and also authorise duplication.) IP refers to “creations of the mind”. Authors, musicians, and inventors are keen to procure patents so as to protect their creations from theft and commercial exploitation.

Intellectual property rights provide legal protection for original works such as inventions, literary and artistic creations, industrial designs, and symbols used in trade. This encourages people/organisations to invest in research and development, innovate, and come up with inventions that will be beneficial to both the creators and the world, thereby serving as a catalyst for global growth. Intellectual property law enables individuals/ organisations to claim exclusive rights over and commercialise (make money from) what they have invented or created. In other words, such legally protected assets cannot be used by the public or organisations without the consent of the creator.

Encouraging innovation

World Intellectual Property Day is celebrated on April 26. The aim is to create awareness about intellectual property and its role in encouraging innovation and creativity. Besides, this day is also about celebrating creators across the world and their creations. It was officially established by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) in August 1999.

The WIPO is a specialised agency of the United Nations, established by a convention in 1967 mainly to promote the protection of intellectual property throughout the world. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the intergovernmental organisation serves as a global forum for IP services, policy, information, and cooperation.

Daren Tang of Singapore is the current Director General of the WIPO. The WIPO releases the World Intellectual Property Indicators report every year. This report reveals information about filings for patents, trademarks, industrial designs, geographical indications, etc. worldwide and their growth.

Every year, the WIPO announces a new theme for World Intellectual Property Day. This year’s theme is “Women and IP: Accelerating Innovation and Creativity”, which aims to encourage women inventors, creators, and entrepreneurs around the world.

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What is HDI?

India ranked 132 out of 191 countries in the 2021 human development index, according to a report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). But what is the human development index? Come, let’s find out.

The Human Development Index (HDI) is a measure of countries’ life expectancies, education levels, and standards of living. In other words, HDI is a statistical tool used by the UN to quantify a country’s overall achievement in health, education, and economic status. The index, introduced by the UN in 1990, is used to track changes over time and compare the levels of development of different countries. It is said that human development across the world has stalled for the first time in 32 years.

Reasons for the decline

The COVID-19 pandemic, along with other crises such as the Ukraine-Russia war, climate change, higher cost of living, and spiralling energy prices, has pushed the global development measurement back to its 2016 level, according to the UN report titled “Uncertain Times, Unsettled Lives: Shaping our Future in a Transforming World”. A large contributor to the HDI’s recent decline is a global drop in life expectancy, down from 72.8 years in 2019 to 71.4 years in 2021. Human development is said to have declined for two years in a row – 2020 and 2021.

How is development measured?

The HDI measures the social and economic development of a country based on three key aspects- a long and healthy life, access to education, and a decent standard of living. It is calculated using four indicators – life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling (average number of completed years of education of a country’s population), expected years of schooling, and the Gross National Income per capita (annual national income per person in a country). The higher the HDI, the better a country’s overall development is. So a high HDI means the country in question provides a high standard of living, with decent healthcare, education, and opportunities for livelihood.

India’s HDI value

India’s HDI value of 0.633 places the country in the medium human development category. This is lower than the country’s value of 0.645 in the 2020 report. In 2020, India ranked 131 among 189 countries in human development.

In the latest HDI ranking, Switzerland finished first with a HDI value of 0.962. Norway came second with 0.961, and Iceland third with 0.959.

The report recommends implementing policies that focus on 3 Is – investment (from renewable energy to preparedness for pandemics), insurance (to prepare our societies for the ups and downs of an uncertain world), and innovation (technological, economic, cultural to build capacities to respond to any challenges that may arise) – to push development.

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What are the Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations General Assembly?

It’s good for anyone to have a goal. Even better if it is a collective one aimed at the wellness of the world. Here is an outline of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030, and tips on how you can contribute in your own small way

What are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals?

  1. No Poverty
  2. Zero Hunger
  3. Good Health and Well-being
  4. Quality Education
  5. Gender Equality
  6. Clean Water and Sanitation
  7. Affordable and Clean Energy
  8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
  9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  10. Reduced Inequalities
  11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
  12. Responsible Consumption and Production
  13. Climate Action
  14. Life Below Water
  15. Life on Land
  16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
  17. Partnerships

Time is ticking away, act now!

Since the challenges we face in today’s world are manifold and interconnected, so are the solutions for creating a better world and a better tomorrow.

 That’s exactly what brings us to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They were put together in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly, and the goals are hoped to be met by 2030. With sustainability at their heart, the goals are a call to all countries-rich or poor- to come together for a better future. Though the issues we face appear varied from poverty, inequality, and climate change to peace and justice, they are all deeply linked to each other, and the benefits reaped in one area does have a positive impact on another.

For instance, providing everyone education means offering them a platform for learning and creating awareness, which, in turn, could lead to the adoption of a kinder lifestyle, and eventually, a greener planet.

While the goals aim to improve the condition of human lives worldwide, they are not without their flipside. Critics have argued that SDGs are ambitious, fail to take into account local contexts and ethical considerations, focus simply on economic growth, etc.

Though only time will tell if SDGS can be met or not, it is undeniable that they offer countries and individuals a lot to think about and act upon to improve the life of the planet and its inhabitants.

Yes, you can!

At a glance the Sustainable Development Goals appear to be aimed at adults. But look again. Most of these goals have the potential to help you children understand how you can work towards building a great tomorrow. Here are a few simple ways in which you can bring about great change

Kindness helps

  • For birthday parties don’t you think saplings of native species make for wonderful and thoughtful gifts? Speaking of birthday parties or any other special occasions and festivals how about donating a sun to the neighbourhood orphanage?
  • If you are old enough, do make time to track less privileged children in your neighbourhood a skill it could be anything from sewing a button and telling time on a clock to a language you know well.
  • Donate books, toys, and clothes that you no longer use and are in good condition.
  • Carry fruits when you’re travelling with parents, and offer it to homeless people.
  • Discuss with your family and choose to buy products from companies that donate to charities and pay their employees fairly.

Get eco-smart!

  • Use water in buckets rather than directly from the tap or the shower for brushing your teeth and bathing. Watch out for leaky taps and have them fixed.
  • Carry your own water bottles rather than buy bottled water whenever you step out. Pour into glasses only the exact amount of what you need to drink so the rest is not wasted. The same goes for food too.
  • Always turn off all electronic and electrical items when you leave a room.
  • Read up on energy-efficient lifestyle habits such as minimalism, recycling, using renewable energy, etc.
  • Try to use public transport and your bicycle as much as you can.

Take care of yourself

  • Avoid staying indoors all the time. Instead, take a walk ride your bicycle, play a sport and meet up with friends and exchange ideas. Take up a new hobby, eat on time, avoid junk food, drink plenty of water, and get adequate sleep. These are simple steps to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy.
  • Education need not happen only at school. Read the newspaper every day-its a treasure trove of knowledge. Visit museums and libraries, and take part in events that help you educate yourself about local and global culture, heritage, history, and current affairs. Share with your friends what you’ve learnt and have a healthy discussion around it.
  • Never tease someone for the gender they are. Each one has their own interests, passions, capabilities, and strengths, and none of them is related to one’s gender.
  • At home, take over domestic duties that are age-appropriate. Remember, domestic chores are only age-specific not gender-specific. Every work done at home- from cooking to cleaning is a life skill that everyone must acquire. The same holds true for the professional sphere and too.
  • When you witness someone being bullied or stereotyped, do stand up for them. Try to make friends from different cultures, and respect everyone, including those who are different from you.

You can make the world better

  • Before you make any purchase, analyse if you absolutely need it and if it has a good shelf life. Try and avoid plastic products.
  • Volunteer at beach, river, and lake clean-ups. Go on nature walks and bird-watching trips with experts to understand the natural world around you better.
  • When taking up recreational activities such as boating, find out if it is being done without harming the environment or wildlife.
  • Do not keep exotic or wild animals as pets. Instead, try and adopt strays.
  • Follow your heart and look for a career in a field that you’re passionate about rather than choose something under pressure or for the money. And that decision will go a long way in helping you lead a peaceful life and help others too. If that’s not the ultimate sustainable development goal, what is?

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Which president was a great wrestler?

You might be aware that Abraham Lincoln served as the 16th president of the United States and also that he was assassinated in 1865. But did you know that the American statesman was also an accomplished wrestler? As a young man standing at six feet four inches tall, he participated in local wrestling competitions for over a decade and rarely lost any of the bouts. He was also said to be good at running, jumping and pitching the crowbar. He was recognised by the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, which inducted him as an “Outstanding American” in the sport in 1992.

During the seven years he lived in the small town of New Salem, Illinois, where he learned to be a lawyer, Lincoln took part in the local activity of wrestling. All of the men in town participated, so Lincoln felt he should too. No one thought a six foot four tall man could wrestle well, but he did. In seven years, he won 299 out of 300 recorded fought matches. Not too shabby for a lanky fellow.

He even became a hometown hero after defeating local bully Jack Armstrong. Ironically, Lincoln defended Armstrong in a court case in the next few years. Lincoln was seemingly a natural born leader. With his ability to command a room, give a powerful speech and negotiate, he is regarded as one of the best presidents in American history. As a leader, Lincoln was determined to hold together a nation that was falling apart at the seams.

Picture Credit : Google