#internationaldevelopment

Step into permaculture and who knows where you’ll find yourself? It’s a bit like following a winding bush track—one step leads to another. Before you know it you’re somewhere you never expected to be. That winding bush track started when we crossed paths with Tony Jansen. It was at a permaculture convergence in Perth. Prior to meeting Tony we had been teaching the permaculture design course and working at a city farm as landcare educators in Sydney. Next thing, we were leaving the familiar behind and heading for the Solomon Islands, then PNG. We were falling into the world of a small international NGO. READ THE STORY HERE: https://medium.com/pacificedge/a-solomons-adventure-not-quite-a-working-holiday-9e37d32d85ea?source=friends_link&sk=160845d7d0085e1d10f5dc322c19ef73

When the Berlin Wall crumbled, the world cheered—but what came next was far more complex. Eastern Europe did not simply “open”; it unraveled. Broken economies, fragile democracies, and a region caught between Russia, Western Europe, and the United States faced the monumental task of rebuilding from the ground up.

That’s where John R. Rieger’s story begins.

In his new book, Bridges, Not Bombs: A Witness Within Eastern Europe’s Rebirth, Rieger takes readers on a frontline journey through the post-communist transition. From Romania’s revolution to Bosnia’s recovery, Ukraine’s turbulent reforms, and Serbia’s banking overhaul, this memoir offers a rare inside look at the people and policies shaping an entire region.

📽️ And now, you can watch the story come alive in the official book trailer: https://youtu.be/9NDUdXLu8c4

The trailer captures the urgency of history in motion—collapsing walls, fragile beginnings, and the choices America faced between sending bombs or building bridges. It’s a glimpse of the gripping firsthand experiences that fill the pages of the book.

Why This Story Matters Today

Part memoir, part policy analysis, Rieger’s work explores:

The ground-level reality of nations learning capitalism after decades of central planning.

USAID’s role in rebuilding trust, infrastructure, and governance—both its triumphs and its failures.

The ongoing relevance of Eastern Europe’s struggle as Russia’s war in Ukraine reshapes the region again.

At its core, the book carries a simple but powerful truth: great powers shouldn’t just wield force; they should build bridges—tools that support, restore, and keep the peace.

Join the Conversation

If you’re drawn to stories of international development, post-Cold War history, or simply want a gripping memoir that shows how global change looks up close, this is a book—and a trailer—you won’t want to miss.

📖 Available now wherever books are sold.

The collapse of the Eastern Bloc in the early 1990s left more than a political vacuum—it triggered an economic free fall. Currencies lost value, black markets flourished, and unemployment soared. Millions who had grown up under communism now faced the chaos of uncertain transitions.

The United States, recognizing both the risks and the responsibilities of this historic moment, responded with a broad array of initiatives to assist these nations—not merely as a gesture of goodwill but as a strategic move to ensure stability, foster democratic capitalism, and strengthen transatlantic ties.

In ‘USAID and Eastern Europe’, John R. Rieger delivers a groundbreaking account of how development assistance, particularly through USAID, became a tool to guide Eastern European countries toward sustainable integration with the global economy. His work offers a vital lens on how aid shaped policy, commerce, and institutions during one of modern history’s most dramatic transitions.

The Economic Collapse That Followed Political Change

The end of communism did not bring immediate prosperity. On the contrary, most Eastern European countries experienced sharp economic contractions. Centralized planning had created inefficient monopolies, and the absence of market mechanisms meant there were few private enterprises ready to fill the void. Inflation skyrocketed, production plummeted, and basic consumer goods became scarce. The shift to capitalism was promised, but few understood how it would unfold—or what it would cost.

For newly independent governments, there was no manual. They had to build functioning markets, legal systems, and governance structures simultaneously. Without outside support, the risk of backsliding into authoritarianism or social unrest was dangerously high.

USAID as a Catalyst for Economic Reform

The U.S. response was swift and strategic. Through USAID, it launched programs to stabilize economies, modernize legal and financial frameworks, and train new generations of public administrators and entrepreneurs.

One major focus was privatization—the transfer of state-owned enterprises to private hands. But beyond the sale of assets, this required the establishment of competition laws, property rights, and regulatory bodies to ensure fair practices. USAID didn’t just fund this transition; it embedded advisors in ministries, facilitated technical exchanges, and offered legal and policy guidance to help governments avoid the pitfalls of rapid liberalization.

Bridging Trade and Investment Gaps

Opening up to global markets was not just about internal reforms—it required external connections. U.S. initiatives helped Eastern European countries integrate into global trade networks. Programs promoted export-oriented industries, facilitated cross-border commerce, and supported the adoption of global business standards.

USAID also worked with international financial institutions to manage debt, support currency stabilization, and promote transparency in banking. Countries that had once operated in financial isolation were now attending IMF consultations, signing bilateral trade deals, and pursuing joint ventures with Western firms.

The shift was not without its controversies. In some cases, rapid reforms led to deep inequality and the rise of oligarchic structures. Yet, for many countries, the long-term trend was positive: steady GDP growth, greater investment flows, and diversification of industries that were once state-run and outdated.

A Strategic Investment in Stability

The U.S. engagement in Eastern Europe was never purely economic—it was deeply strategic. Helping these countries build functioning economies was a way to anchor them in the Western liberal order. It reduced the appeal of nationalist populism and made the return of Russian-style authoritarianism less attractive—at least in the short term.

अंतर्राष्ट्रीय विकास कार्यक्रम उज्जैन की समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक विरासत का अनुभव

This article on "International developments relating to Traditional knowledge protection” was written by Nayanika Dutta, an intern at Legal Upanishad.

Introduction

Traditional knowledge refers to information gained by traditional intellectual activities such as skills, practice, and inventions. This article will focus on the meaning of traditional knowledge, its importance and scope, and most importantly its developments and protection. Traditional knowledge protection is becoming increasingly important, and the role of global bodies in ensuring such preservation is critical. In this article, we will discuss the protection of Traditional knowledge under IPR as well as the role of the international bodies regarding TK and international developments. Traditional knowledge is crucial in every area, yet there are no legal safeguards in place to assure its conservation. Thus various issues often emerge while protecting the TK like whether it is possible to obtain protection under intellectual property law or what can be done to guarantee that traditional knowledge is protected. Its relevance in development should be promoted.

Meaning of Traditional Knowledge

Traditional knowledge relates to indigenous and local groups' knowledge, inventions, and customs from all over the world. It is defined as a collection of knowledge accumulated through centuries by a community of people living in close proximity to nature. Traditional knowledge is mostly practical, especially in domains such as agriculture, fishing, health, horticulture, forestry, and general environmental management. Since the establishment of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in1992, the preservation of traditional and indigenous knowledge under intellectual property rights (IPRs) has risen in popularity. (Introduction)

Importance and scope of traditional knowledge

The value of traditional knowledge (TK) to its creators and the global society at large, as well as the need to promote, maintain, and preserve it, have garnered increasing acknowledgment in international fora. Traditional knowledge has the potential to contribute significantly to long-term development. This knowledge is vital not just to individuals who rely on it in their everyday lives, but also to contemporary business and agriculture. The World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) formed an Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledge, and Folklore in 2000, and it held its inaugural meeting in April 2001. TK comprises a variety of types and functions of information produced in the past but is subject to modern refinement and adaption. It is manifested in a variety of recorded and undocumented forms and depending on its prospective or present usage, it may have monetary worth. However, the problems in defining TK should not deter ongoing studies on the topic at the national or global level. (Anand, 2015)

Traditional knowledge protection

Traditional knowledge holders frequently face a variety of challenges. If it is not preserved, the very existence of knowledge may be jeopardized, as well as the culture of communities. Several social and environmental variables, such as encroaching on contemporary lifestyles, migration, and so on, have damaged traditional methods of preserving and passing on knowledge to future generations. Traditional knowledge holders are not valued or respected for their expertise. Traditional wisdom is frequently ignored in the fast growth of science and technology. Thus, Traditional knowledge must be preserved and treated with the utmost respect. While significant efforts are being made to develop internationally harmonized approaches, a scenario for the future of Traditional knowledge protection, it is not impossible to imagine negotiations on the subject breaking down due to maneuvering by developed countries, widening differences among developing countries, or a realization among developing countries that the economic support is not as high as they had been led to believe. Breakdowns at the worldwide level, on the other hand, would not rule out advancements at the national and provincial levels. (What is Traditional Knowledge in IPR | IPTSE)

Traditional knowledge protection under IPR

The safeguarding of traditional knowledge is perhaps the most important part of IPR. While there have been various disputes concerning intellectual property protection, there are also a number of obstacles to overcome. For example, determining the Intellectual Property Rights under which traditional knowledge can be protected is problematic. It's also difficult to see how customary knowledge can be protected indefinitely, given that IP protection only lasts for a brief duration. Traditional knowledge protection was created to address the problem of biopiracy, which occurs when traditional knowledge is utilized for commercial purposes without the consent of the indigenous group concerned. (What is Traditional Knowledge in IPR | IPTSE) UNEP/CBD, WIPO, UNCTAD, and the WTO dealt with TK and intellectual property issues. These organizations have often worked together in the past. WIPO and UNEP, for example, performed collaborative case studies on the part of IPRs in sharing benefits from the utilization of traditional knowledge and associated biological resources, while FAO and the CBD Secretariat often collaborate on agricultural topics of mutual concern. Of course, the roles of these various groups and fora varied greatly. Although UNCTAD has hosted a workshop on Traditional Knowledge, WIPO, WTO, FAO, and the CBD may offer the platform for international discussions, no mediations are presently taking place under its authority. (Anand, 2015)

India’s traditional knowledge protection

The international legal community has a severe issue in the new millennium in establishing a new international legal norm for addressing the problem of IP protection created by technological advancements. Traditional knowledge was viewed as awareness in the public domain for free utilization, with little regard for the community's efforts to protect and promote it. The country's biodiversity and TK are inextricably linked. It is a non-tangible component of the asset. TK has the potential to be turned into a commercial opportunity, offering important leads for product and process development. In the global economy, Traditional Knowledge is precious. Biotech companies, as well as agriculture, rely on it. Traditional communities rely on it for their sustenance and medical treatment. Important for environmental protection and sustainable development, as well as biodiversity management, the conservation of TK is tied to the country's food security. (Anand, 2015) Unlike other types of intellectual property rights, India does not have a substantive act or law to protect traditional knowledge, but other IP acts do, such as “The Patents Act of 1970, Section 25 and Section 64, which lists traditional knowledge as one of the grounds for revocation of a patent application. The Copyright Act of 1957 does not specifically mention protecting sociocultural, poetic, or creative work or folk tales, but Section 31A does.” However, Copyright protection is only for a specific timeframe and requires certain criteria to be met, so TK security under this IP is limited. (Singh, 2018)

International developments relating to the Traditional knowledge protection

Strategy for the traditional knowledge protection

The community, as well as the provincial, national, and global components of IP rights, must be included in a traditional knowledge protection plan. Furthermore, systems and practices to safeguard traditional knowledge must provide unique traditional knowledge bearers with fair and independent evaluation. Addressing the economic implications of growing the knowledge base, as well as ensuring that such security can indeed be accessible, understood, and given by knowledge holders, is equally important. The primary focus of the protection should be on recognizing the rights of the genuine holders of information and preventing the unlawful addition of rights by other parties. (What is Traditional Knowledge in IPR | IPTSE) Licensed examiners at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) can now access the Database of Traditional Knowledge, owing to the Indian government's consent in November 2009. (Anand, 2015) Thus, TK is the heart of a community and an indivisible part of their heritage, which they acquired from their forefathers. As a result, there is a pressing need to safeguard traditional knowledge. At both the national and international levels, actions must be done. However, there is a compelling need for international action because no single country is capable of providing such security. At the international level, efforts have been made to instill an access and benefit-sharing system, a sui generis legal protection system, legal security under intellectual property law, and the public's interest. Traditional knowledge can be safeguarded in both ‘positive’ and ‘defensive’ protection in the intellectual property system. It means enacting laws, rules, and regulations, as well as royalty access and benefit-sharing agreements. On the other hand, ‘defensive protection’ involves preventing third parties from obtaining illegitimate intellectual property rights over Traditional Knowledge through the purchase of IP. Traditional knowledge protection poses several policy concerns, including the goals and mechanisms of such protection, as well as the impact and consequences for those who will benefit from it. Because there are significant discrepancies in the description of the particular topic, the justification for security, and the methods for attaining its goals, such problems are exceedingly complicated. The ethical, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges surrounding TK should all be addressed comprehensively manner. Several technical concerns have also several technical concerns that have yet to be overcome, such as the question of communal ownership and the methods for enforcing rights. However, it's important to understand the boundaries and ramifications. In particular, a balance must be struck between the protection of such information and the encouragement of its use.

Conclusion

With time, the need to conserve traditional knowledge has grown, particularly in order to prevent unlawful and commercial exploitation of such information. It is critical to safeguard original inhabitants from such extinction while also assisting them in the preservation of historic rituals. With industrialization and multinational cooperation and coordination becoming everyday occurrences, protecting and establishing traditional knowledge has never been more important. The preservation of TK must also encourage its widespread and productive usage. The construction of any traditional knowledge protection regime should be based on a clear understanding of the goals intended and the suitability of the tool used to attain them. Therefore, the issue of TK conservation should not obscure the reality that preserving and using TK necessitates first and foremost supporting the survival and enhancement of such communities' living standards in their culture and local context. International forums, on the other hand, have not been successful in enacting appropriate safeguards for TK. The system is uneven, and change is required to ensure that traditional knowledge is protected. The necessity of the hour is to instill informal norms that will allow for the efficient implementation of traditional knowledge protection. In the future Farmer, Rights can be implemented at the national level and also thereby ensuring that individuals from indigenous and local groups are involved in the definition and execution of any framework for the conservation of TK.

Bibliography

The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall..