Andrea Alarcón-Peña’s scientific contributions

The Convention on Biological Diversity, established in 1992, aims to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use of its components, and ensure fair sharing of benefits from genetic resources. However, this international treaty may subject signatory nations, especially biodiverse developing countries, to pre-existing, unequal global trade rules, potentially rendering state sovereignty over biological resources largely symbolic. The principle of "fair and equitable sharing of the benefits of genetic resources" often falls short concerning access, true ownership, and profit distribution. The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization attempts to implement these benefit-sharing mechanisms, but its effectiveness in correcting deep-seated imbalances is debatable. This paper analyses the extent to which the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, through 'mutually agreed terms' and market mechanisms, achieve fair benefit-sharing for traditional knowledge holders and empower them. It is hypothesized that the current international biodiversity governance, despite its intentions, perpetuates inequities by commodifying traditional knowledge and favoring economically stronger entities, thus undermining genuine benefit-sharing and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The research will critically analyze these agreements' operational realities regarding traditional knowledge and benefit-sharing, assessing their impact on Indigenous rights, using qualitative documentary and discourse analysis. It is anticipated that results will show that implementation often leads to traditional knowledge commodification, disadvantaging its holders due to power asymmetries, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift towards genuinely empowering local communities and integrating their knowledge systems.

Objetivo: El presente artículo tiene por objetivo formular una serie de reflexiones metodológicas en los procesos formativos de estas disciplinas jurídicas, con un especial énfasis en el ABP o aprendizaje basado en problemas. Metodología: Los autores se apoyan en los métodos hermenéutico y correlacional, que vinculan tanto elementos de pedagogía como herramientas jurídicas, con el propósito de presentar aportes a la enseñanza del Derecho. El alcance de la investigación es exploratorio, y las técnicas utilizadas se sustentaron en el análisis documental de información especializada, a partir de bases de datos como Scopus, Redalyc y Scielo. Resultados: Se presentan algunas reflexiones propias sobre el ‘deber ser’ y los métodos tradicional y activo en la enseñanza de estas dos áreas disciplinares del Derecho. Contribuciones: La enseñanza del Derechos de daños y el Derecho de seguros como disciplinas del conocimiento jurídico, implica promover en los estudiantes competencias y destrezas a través de metodologías activas de aprendizaje activo, y desde ámbitos tales como la responsabilidad civil, estatal y penal, el Derecho procesal y probatorio, entre otras áreas del conocimiento jurídico.

Climate change disproportionately impacts Indigenous Peoples, who, despite historical marginalization, possess vital Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) crucial for developing effective climate solutions. This paper critically examines how the systematic integration, recognition, and protection of Indigenous Peoples' TEK can foster climate justice while promoting more effective, equitable, and resilient climate change governance and action. Employing a documentary analysis with a systematic approach to literature retrieval and discourse analysis of selected texts, the study investigates how addressing Indigenous marginalization and integrating their knowledge can lead to more robust climate action. Key findings projected herein demonstrate that TEK offers invaluable long-term ecological data, sophisticated local insights into resource management, and proven adaptive strategies. These can synergistically complement Western scientific knowledge, leading to more holistic, resilient, and contextually appropriate climate solutions. The research underscores that a rights-based approach, emphasizing free, prior, and informed consent, and genuine participation, significantly enhances adaptive capacity, sustainability, and justice outcomes. Ultimately, fostering genuine partnerships is paramount for effective, ethically sound, and locally resonant climate actions, contributing to a truly sustainable future.