File:After the Fires Digitisation Preservation, Right to Research in Africa Conf., CapeTown 26Jan2023 (1).webm

English: After the Fires Digitisation and Preservation, Right to Research in Africa Conf., Cape Town 26 Jan 2023

Welcome and Introductions Professor Tobias Schonwetter, Director, IP Unit, University of Cape Town Hon. Judy Hermans MP, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Trade, Industry and Competition

After the Fires: Digitising our Heritage

The collection, protection and preservation of African historical records and rich cultural heritage are key custodial functions of libraries, archives and museums. African special collections and unique cultural heritage artifacts need special care as they are at risk of loss or damage due to fires, such as those in Cape Town in recent years. This session will highlight the importance of cultural heritage for African countries and for research, and the obstacles that copyright law presents for digitisation programmes. It also highlights important projects in Africa that have managed to digitise their collections, despite copyright restrictions.

Chair: Prof. Dick Kawooya, School of Information Science, U. of South Carolina

What was the impact of the UCT fire on preserved collections of potentially copyrighted material? How did South Africa’s copyright exceptions help or hinder the effort and what might be the impact of the CAB? Nikki Crowster, Director of Information Systems, UCT Libraries

How does copyright and its exceptions facilitate the role of legal deposit libraries? Mymoena Londt, Library of Parliament, South Africa How can we preserve and protect African Heritage through Digitisation? Mutanu Kyany'a, African Digital Heritage, Kenya What are the copyright barriers to digital preservation through Wikipedia and how does the Copyright Amendment Bill in South Africa help? Douglas Ian Scott, Wikimedia South Africa

How does the Rock Art Research Institute seek to maximise access to photographic documentation of rock art, whilst respecting creative work? Mduduzi Maseko, Researcher, Rock Art Research Institute, South Africa Discussant: Denise Nicholson, Scholarly Communications and Copyright Consultant

More on the Right to Research in Africa Conference:

How can Africa predict and respond to the next pandemic? How do we model the impact of climate change on agriculture? How can we ensure access to accurate news and research in all African languages? Can we digitize our heritage to preserve it for future generations? Can we use AI to build a better future for Africa?

Answering these questions requires the very latest computational research methods. We need to mine information from research sources and databases all over the world. Do African researchers have access to the data they need? Does copyright law help or hinder the Right to Research?

Join policymakers, academics and activists from across the continent.

Including African researchers, legal experts, and intergovernmental organisations.