Creating the Knowledge Commons in Saskatchewan

FREE KNOWLEDGE!
Creating the Knowledge Commons in Saskatchewan
November 17-18, 2005
University of Regina
Multi-Purpose Room - Riddell Centre

Thursday, November 17
Riddell Centre Multi-Purpose Room

7:30 - 8:30 PM
Keynote Address - Brewster Kneen

In 1986, Brewster began his current career of writing and lecturing on the food system, with increasing attention to biotechnology. He received two grants from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council as an Independent Scholar for research into ‘technological determinism’ and in 1994-5 was a Senior Fellow of the Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Brewster was also a founding member of the Toronto Food Policy Council. He is the author of many articles, journals and books, including Invisible Giant: Cargill and its Transnational Strategies and Farmageddon: Food and the Culture of Biotechnology. He is currently the Director of the Forum on Privatization and the Public Domain. (www.forumonpublicdomain.ca)

8:30 - 9:30PM - Reception

Friday, November 18

Riddell Centre Multi-Purpose Room

8:30 AM - Registration

9:00 - 10:30 AM - Moderated Panel on Issues
A selection of panelists representing concerns in agriculture, university research, journalism, the arts, traditional knowledge and health will talk about problems they and their colleagues encounter as a result of the privatization of knowledge. Conference participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and add ideas to the mix.

10:30 - 10:45 AM - Break

10:45 - 12:00 PM - Cross-Sector Discussion Groups
People will talk about their experiences and concerns. From this, we will build a more comprehensive picture of the threats to/erosion of the knowledge commons.

12:00 - 1:15 PM - Lunch and Networking

1:15 - 2:30 PM - Moderated Panel on Solutions
A panel of activists and researchers will share creative solutions they have devised or discovered, including copyright alternatives, free media initiatives, library open access, challenges to patent law and open source software.

2:30 - 2:45 PM - Break

2:45 - 3:45 PM - Sector-Based Discussion Groups - People’s Solutions
People will gather to discuss and invent strategies that we can take.

3:45 - 4:15 PM - Big Idea Gallery
Networking and viewing the results of the small group discussions.

4:15 - 4:45 PM - Wrap-Up and Plenary
Report back from small groups on problems and solutions.
Moderated discussion toward an action plan.

7:30 - 10:00 PM - An Alternative Media Celebration
Entertainment, food, displays and rousing speeches celebrating indymedia! $8 advance $10 door $6 students. Tickets will be available for purchase at the registration table. Sponsored by the Knowledge Commons Committee, the School of Journalism, Briarpatch Magazine and actupinsask.org