Willie-O

The concern is about things expressed in this article, linked in that other thread. Scroll down about 2 screens(?) to where it says "Background" for a quick look.

There was a "movement" a couple of years ago to try to say that anything "trad" belongs to "the nation of origin" and the government should get a cut if you use it. The Who makes decisions about how traditional tunes are arranged for performance by contemporary bands or in recording studios? in the 12:45-1:45 session sounds a lot like the Bolivia/Paul Simon thing cited there.

The symposium designed to initiate a dialogue is sort of a "red flag" in some academic circles that says somebody wants a change in the status quo. That almost always (for the cynics among us) means somebody with money will benefit and the rest of us will lose something.

Without knowing the "sponsors," one can't rule out it being just an innocent "manner of speaking" though.

If it's not dangerous - it should be an interesting and possibly even helpful meeting. If there is something afoot, we should be concerned. Either way, it's a noteworthy announcement.

John