In 2003, in response to the increasing risks in terms of abuse and misappropriations faced by Geographical Indications (GIs), producers from all over the world joined forces to advocate for the establishment of an effective international system of protection for GIs and promote them as a tool for sustainable development for local producers and communities. oriGIn – the Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network – was then established.
Conceived as a network for exchanging information and "best-practices" among producers of GIs worldwide, oriGIn’s goal is twofold:
- Promote geographical indications as a tool of sustainable development as well as an instrument to protect local knowledge deeply rooted in a given territory.
- Advocate for a more effective legal protection of GIs at the national, regional and international level, through campaigns aimed at decision-makers, the media and the public at large.
Geneva Declaration (12.7Kb) 