Our experience attending the Summer School at PUCP in Peru!

Authors: Sophia Macnamara, Miila Lumijärvi, Ines Pramming, Anni Martinmäki and Mariel Tähtivaara

Authors are law students at the University of Lapland, Faculty of Law.

The visit is part of the Faculty's INCLUSION project.

Sophia Macnamara

Miila Lumijärvi

Anni Martinmäki

Mariel Tähtivaara

General

Embarking on a remarkable journey to Lima, Peru, a group of six students from the University of Lapland immersed themselves in a captivating exploration of Indigenous Rights, Responsibilities and Ethics from January 22 to 26, 2024. This immersive week-long course aimed to unravel the complexities surrounding the rights of indigenous peoples. Sponsored by the Team Finland Knowledge Programme and coordinated by the University of Lapland in collaboration with the University of Helsinki and the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP), our adventure was fuelled by a shared thirst for knowledge and cultural exchange. During the week, in addition to the lessons, we got to experience the local university life and culture, as well as enjoy the fantastic culinary delights and hot weather offered by the bustling metropolis of Lima.

Day 1: First Day at the International School in Peru

As we stepped into the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, we were filled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. It was the beginning of a week-long program on "Indigenous Rights, Responsibilities, and Ethics," and we were eager to dive into this enriching experience. The opening session commenced with warm welcome remarks from professors Yovana Reyes Tagle, Rosa Maria Ballardini, and Elmer Guillermo Arce Ortiz, who heads the Department of Law at PUCP.

The speech given by Ambassador Antti Rytövuori, representing Finland, was very interesting. His insights into the diplomatic relations between Finland and Peru provided a fascinating backdrop for our discussions on indigenous people's rights. Navigating through the workshops and presentations, we encountered a few challenges. The sweltering heat of the Peruvian classrooms was a stark contrast to the cool climate of Finland, and the seven-hour time difference left us grappling with jet lag. Moreover, some of the guest speakers delivered their presentations solely in Spanish, posing a language barrier.

However, amidst these challenges, we found solace in the kindness and support of our Peruvian classmates. Their willingness to assist and their warm hospitality made us feel welcome in this new environment. Together, we delved into discussions on indigenous rights in the Inter-American Human Rights System, the Andean Community, and the protection of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources in Peru. As the day came to a close, we reflected on the richness of diversity and the power of collaboration. Despite the language barrier and cultural differences, our shared commitment to learning and understanding brought us together as a community. In the coming days, we looked forward to further exploration, growth, and meaningful connections with my peers from around the world.

Day 2: Deep dive into the preservation and use of traditional knowledge 

After a hot Monday, it was decided to move the rest of the week's lectures to an air-conditioned lecture hall – a relieving decision to us Finns. On Tuesday morning, the first lecture had to be cancelled due to problems with the internet connection. However, the timetable was smoothly changed on the fly.

In the morning, we learned from Dino Girardi about the importance of open data policies for indigenous culture, especially in relation to the preservation and use of traditional knowledge. This was a new topic for us. A lot of work is still needed to understand and solve the challenges it poses.

The second lecture was particularly interesting for us. It dealt with various aspects related to development, trade, and the involvement of Indigenous Peoples in the context of international trade agreements, particularly focusing on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and some other trade agreements. Indigenous Peoples' issues have gained prominence, evidenced by case law in Australia, Indonesia, and the EU. However, ongoing challenges include participation in the political process, protecting substantive rights, and enhancing access to trade channels. The day was a reminder of the complex interplay between development, trade, and Indigenous Peoples' rights. Much work remains to be done underscoring ongoing challenges. In particular, efforts to promote inclusion and sustainability must be emphasised.

Day 3: Visit to the Embassy of Finland, Lima

On the third day of the course, we had the opportunity to learn about the UN Human Rights System, the value of indigenous peoples in the economies of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Forum, and biopiracy and the protection of traditional knowledge associated to genetic resources in Peru. In addition, we learnt about indigenous peoples, intellectual property rights, and the work of INDECOPI (National Institute for the Defense of Free Competition and the Protection of Intellectual Property, Peru) with the development of Traditional Knowledge registers and Indigenous people’s rights as a social sustainability policy in the business. These were all really interesting topics. Especially the lectures on the UN human rights system and on indigenous peoples in APEC countries were fascinating.

The lectures taught the participants a lot about legislature and culture, as well as economic affairs related to indigenous people. A conversation that really stood out was one during the APEC lecture. We discussed the effect of free trade agreements (FTAs) on indigenous peoples and had the unique opportunity to hear perspectives from members of some indigenous groups in Peru, as well as from a member of the Sami in Finland.

After the lectures, we had the incredible opportunity to visit the Embassy of Finland in Lima and meet the Ambassador of Finland. In the Embassy, we had intriguing conversations about differences in Peruvian and Finnish culture and were treated with different Peruvian and Finnish delicacies. Especially these types of conversations were eye-opening and made us appreciate how unique this course has been and how it lucky we have all been to be able to participate in this.

Day 4: Ius Inter Gentes and Visit to the International Potato Center

Our fourth day began with an early meeting with Ius Inter Gentes, a students' association of international law and international relations at the PUCP Faculty of Law. The association introduced us to their activities and research publications. It was interesting to see the differences in student-lead activities in different universities. The type of activities themselves may differ from those offered by Finnish student associations, but the enthusiasm shared by the students towards them felt identical.

Our lecture that morning was given by Dr. Victoria Soyan Peemot, a research fellow in Indigenous Studies at the University of Helsinki, on Sympoiesis in the Mongolian Taiga, sharing valuable insights into topics of ethical research, and their work with the Tukha people of Northern Mongolia. The provided lecture worked perfectly as a wrap-up for all we had learned that week, though the atmosphere was somewhat bitter-sweet, as it was to be the final lecture of the course.

Our programme for the afternoon was a visit to the enigmatic International Potato Center's (CIP) headquarters, located at the edge of the city in the arid La Molina district, surrounded by several other research centres and universities, and bordered by majestic hills. With the mid-afternoon sun beating down on us and the temperature reaching a balmy 30 degrees Celsius, Lima's status as a tropical desert city could not go unnoticed. CIP is a research facility founded in 1971, with a focus on potato, sweet potato and Andean roots and tubers. Beyond their extensive gene bank, which is home to over sixteen thousand cultivars and wild relatives of Andean root and tuber crops, the centre strives to offer solutions that enhance access to affordable nutritious food, opportunities for inclusive and sustainable business practices and climate-forward food systems.

We were offered a tour of the fascinating facilities in Lima, and insight by its researchers into the CIP's mission and work in both Peru and abroad. The centre not only conserves genetic varieties of the potato and its relatives, but works to conserve the traditions, innovations and knowledge that have fostered this diversity – or bio-cultural heritage. Conserving this knowledge and repatriating native potatoes to Andean communities plays a role in maintaining the unique ecological and cultural characteristics of the region.

Day 5: Student workshops

Our last day consisted of student workshops, where we got to hear short presentations from other students and got some feedback from our professors. It was interesting to hear the other students' presentations, and we especially feel like we learned a lot from the Peruvian students, who had studied indigenous rights in their own country. We think that such cultural exchange is the core value in projects like these. This was also the day we had to say goodbye to our Peruvian classmates, who made us feel very welcome at their university.

All in all, we are very grateful to having been a part of the Summer School and having the chance to travel all the way to Peru to learn more on indigenous rights. The experience was of course educational, but more than that it was fun and exciting, and meeting the Peruvian students was a great way to experience a different culture.

Finally, we would like to offer a huge thank you to the all of the organizers and professors of this course. It has really been incredible!