In
a momentous occasion on the sidelines of the 48th ARIPO
Administrative Council Session, the finalists for the inaugural ARIPO IP Awards
Competition were announced today during an awards ceremony held in Maseru,
Kingdom of Lesotho.
ARIPO,
in cooperation with the Intellectual Property Rights and Innovation in Africa
(AfrIPI), launched the awards as a platform to recognize the vital role that
journalism plays in promoting intellectual property rights awareness, and
elevating voices that advocate for innovation and inspire change across Africa.
During
the awards ceremony, the ARIPO Director General, Mr. Bemanya Twebaze expressed
his enthusiasm for this initiative, stating, “This competition underscores the
growing impact of IP awareness and the transformative role of journalism in
making it accessible and relevant. I extend my gratitude to every journalist
who participated and the IP Offices whose support made this initiative
possible. Together, let us continue to elevate the voices that promote IP
awareness, support innovation, and inspire progress across Africa.” His words
resonated with attendees, emphasizing a collective commitment to fostering an
environment where innovation thrives through informed public discourse.
The
competition attracted participants from nine ARIPO Member States, showcasing a
diverse range of journalistic talent dedicated to promoting intellectual
property issues in the various ARIPO Member States.
Gosego
Motsumi from Botswana scooped the number one spot, while Bamuturaki Musinguzi
from Uganda and Sinda Matiko from Kenya took the second and third spots,
respectively.
ARIPO
and AfrIPI indicated that these individuals demonstrated exceptional skill in
communicating important aspects of intellectual property rights and their
implications for innovation within their respective countries and Africa. Their
work not only informs but also inspires others to engage with these critical
issues.
The
ARIPO IP Awards Competition sets a precedent for future initiatives aimed at
enhancing understanding and appreciation of intellectual property across
Africa. By fostering collaboration between journalists and IP offices, ARIPO is
paving the way for greater awareness that can lead to increased innovation and
economic growth throughout the continent.
The
Deputy Project Leader for AfrIPI, Mr. Carlos Lleo Satorre gave remarks and
emphasized on the importance of the IP Journalists Awards platform. “It's
important to note that this competition is about more than just recognition. It
is about celebrating journalists' crucial role in the intellectual property
ecosystem. Through your storytelling, you shape public perception, influence
policy, and spark innovation. You make intellectual property not just a legal
framework but a concept that people can truly understand and engage with.” said
Mr. Satorre.
The
ARIPO IP Awards Competition was launched in August 2024 in collaboration with AfrIPI. It aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding contributions to IP
awareness through journalism. It is a vital platform for journalists dedicated
to educating the public about the significance of intellectual property rights,
innovation, and creativity.