US Embassy promotes intellectual property rights among Seychellois youth |28 April 2022
The US Embassy, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade, held a virtual discussion and training on intellectual property rights for the youth on Tuesday afternoon.
Intellectual property rights (IPR) are crucial to encourage innovation and creativity. Young people are an incredible source of ingenuity and creativity, and around the world today, they are eager to find new solutions to challenges and support the transition towards a more sustainable future.
US Embassy Chargée d’Affaires Judes E. DeBaere launched the discussion.
In her opening remarks Chargée d’Affaires DeBaere said “the protection of intellectual property rights is vital for innovation and entrepreneurship. When a country has a strong intellectual property system in place, its economy prospers and its people enjoy equal and fair access to the goods, services, and jobs that stem from creativity and innovation. The US Embassy is proud to have partnered with the Seychelles’ ministry responsible for trade for this virtual workshop.”
Principal secretary for trade and chairperson of the Seychelles national IP committee Ronald Cafrine said “the webinar presents an excellent avenue to showcase the importance of our youth’s contribution in innovation as a critical pillar in today’s society. On behalf of the government of Seychelles, I would like to extend my gratitude to the US Embassy to Mauritius and Seychelles, the speakers, the local entrepreneurs, and participants of the webinar who have demonstrated their enthusiasm to learn about the benefits of IP.”
During the virtual training, participants were introduced to intellectual property rights (IPR) and learned about the process to register their IPR in Seychelles.
The speakers included George Salinas, an executive producer of television and film from the United States and the founder and chief executive of Bridge Works Entertainment and Mauritius-based IPR lawyer Nora Ho Tu Nam.
A panel of Seychellois entrepreneurs also shared their experience with IP protection and enforcement during the session.
This workshop was funded by the US Department of State’s Economic Bureau to mark World Intellectual Property Day 2022, celebrated on April 26.
Press release from the US Embassy