WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/W/89
12 September 2001
(01-4286)
Committee on Trade and Development
Thirty-Fifth Session
FUTURE ACTIVITIES OF THE WTO TRAINING INSTITUTE
Note by the Secretariat
A. BACKGROUND
On 5 June 2001, the Director-General of the WTO decided to reconstitute the Secretariat's Training
Division as the WTO Training Institute. The Division's activities have consequently been extended
beyond traditional trade policy courses to include also: training for trainers, a diversified range of
short-term trade policy courses, distance-learning services, and co-operation with universities and
other institutions of learning in curriculum development on WTO and trade-related issues.
The Institute will be advised by a Board, currently being constituted, that will act in an advisory
capacity to offer fresh perspectives on approaches to training and to increase transparency,
accountability and coherence among international agencies engaged in trade-related training.
Since the regular residential Trade Policy Courses wi ll remain the core activity of the Institute, the
elements contained in the document presented to the thirty-third session of the Committee on Tradeand Development (Annex to WT/COMTD/W/86) remain a useful reference.
Finally, it is important to recall that training and capacity-building activities are also conducted in the
field, essentially but not exclusively, by the Technical Cooperation Division. The activities of the
Institute consists mainly of training delivered, in various forms, at and from the Geneva headquartersof the WTO. Consequently, the present note addresses only activities which are so defined.
Nevertheless, it is worth recalling that the Technical Assistance Management Committee, created in
June 2001 by the Director-General and headed by Mr. Paul-Henri Ravier, ensures that coordination
and coherence are strengthened, inter alia , in the context of training programmes and activities
delivered by the WTO's various Divisions.
B. P
URPOSE OF THIS NOTE
The purpose is two-fold.
Firstly, this note is intended to inform beneficiaries' authorities of the WTO Training Institute's
activities aimed at progressively and consistently strengthening human capacities in the area of WTO
affairs, thus helping those officials in charge or  involved in the conduct of these matters to better
participate in the multilateral trading system. It should be viewed as a contribution to facilitate
medium-term national training strategies and planning  by beneficiaries. For that reason, this note not
only presents the main features of each type of activity but also identifies  what can be reasonably
expected by beneficiaries in terms of access to training. It is expected that eligible countries/customsWT/COMTD/W/89
Page 2
territories will nominate their candidates to the various courses offered with a view to progressively
building and strengthening a core group of experts in WTO matters. In that context, the following
elements could be considered:
(a) The variety of formats of available courses, which are presented below, should allow to
progressively build competence. The different durations (ranging from one day for the
induction courses to three months for the residential Trade Policy Courses) should also be
taken into account.
(b) A two-year cycle is used to ensure equitable participation between eligible countries/customs
territories, taking into account the priority given by the WTO Members to least-developed
countries for technical-assistance and capacity-building activities.
Secondly, the note is also intended to provide information on the type of funding by activity ,
including estimated costs. While some programmes or elements of programmes benefit from secured
funding (regular WTO budget; or earmarked extrabudgetary funds), others still remain without
secured financing for the time being. An appeal is consequently made to interested donors for
allocating existing or new financial support either for the activities of the Institute at large –
preferably on a multi-year basis – or for one or more of its specific projects. For more detailed
information on projects, interested donors are invited to contact the Director of the WTO Training
Institute.
The note, therefore, presents what can be reasonably offered in the next two years by the WTO
Training Institute in terms of training activities at or from the WTO Headquarters, taking into account
its present resources, both human and financial. Should the Members decide to increase training
capacities in future, the programme of activities pr esented in Annex 1 would be accordingly upgraded
and expanded.
C. FIELDS OF ACTIVITY OF THE WTO T RAINING INSTITUTE
1. Courses
The main activity of the Institute is to develop and conduct Training Courses . Different formats
corresponding to specific objectives in transferring knowledge and skills are being offered:
Format 1: One-day Induction Courses, such as the one launched in June 2001.
Format 2: Two- or three-week Introduction Courses, such as the courses organized in
the past for LDCs.
Format 3: Three-month Trade Policy Courses of the type conducted since 1956 and
progressively adapted to developments in the multilateral trading system.
Format 4: Specialised Courses focusing on specific topics, such as the ones conducted
on Dispute Settlement.
Training is being offered at the WTO Headquarters and primarily to government officials of
beneficiary countries/customs territories. A special emphasis will progressively be put on
complementary training addressing especially the needs of trainers. Further information on theInstitute’s activities in the area of training of trainers  will be communicated in due course. An
indicative timetable of such activities is incorporated in the calendar presented below.WT/COMTD/W/89
Page 3
In terms of training delivery, the Institute will continue to rely on human resources available at the
WTO and the training-support technology currently at its disposal. It will also draw on outside
expertise to complement existing human resources. Projects involving modern communication
technology such as distance learning via internet or video conferencing will be developed, as
appropriate and as possible, in as much as financial resources become available. In this respect, theInstitute is planning to offer  distance-learning  pilot projects early in 2002.
In order to develop complementarity and coherence among its newly regrouped activities, the Institute
is rationalizing its procedures pertaining to the management and conduct of its activities. A 'horizontal
approach' relating to, inter alia , the following elements is being developed, in co-operation with the
other WTO Divisions or services involved:
• Calendars;
• Language(s) in which the activities are conducted;
• Invitation procedures;
• Number and nature of participants;
• Selection criteria and procedures (when applicable);
• Conditions applicable for travel and hotel accommodation and participants' allowances and
medical insurance;
• Communication with eligible countries/customs territories authorities/Permanent Missions;
• Evaluation procedures and reporting;
• Training material and teaching support material.
2. Co-operation between the WTO and the academic community
It is generally recognized that universities and other institutions of learning are strategically well-
placed to diffuse knowledge and information on issues which are important to the civil society at
large, and that  activities developed through the academic community have an effective 'multiplier'
effect.
Consequently, the Institute should seek, also as part of its mandate, to enhance co-operation links
between the WTO and the academic community, with  the general objective of assisting developing
countries in strengthening the capacity of their academic sectors to train and teach WTO and WTO-
related topics at universities and other institutions of learning. Although the main focus of such
activities would be placed on training professors, thus seeking to ensure a 'multiplier' effect, other
complementary actions are also envisaged to address the academic public at large.
In this context, the Institute will consider possibilities of using the current framework of cooperation
agreements with regional institutions, such as the UN economic commissions, regional developmentbanks and particular universities, and concluding such agreements with other similar institutions that
could provide the grounds for a wide scope of activities.  In brief, the Institute will:
(i) develop training programmes for university professors mainly from developing countries,
including establishing university chairs on WTO-related issues;
(ii) develop a programme of information-dissemination activities (seminars, round tables, etc);
and
(iii) continue and expand the programme of delivering WTO-related information, publications
and training material to selected universiti es throughout the world, with special emphasis
on the developing world.WT/COMTD/W/89
Page 4
Information on the costs of these activities and the tentative implementation programme is only
approximate at this time. However, for budgetary purposes, a cost estimate is possible for the
continuation of the programme of disseminating WTO and WTO-related information to universities in
developing countries (under 2(iii) above).  Assumi ng that 20 universities would be provided with
WTO information/publications at a cost of CHF 2,500 each, this activity would amount toCHF 50,000 in total.
D. P
ROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR THE CYCLE 2002-2003
The tentative Institute's Programme of Activities for the Cycle 2002-2003 is presented in the Annex,
which also provides information about, inter alia , the language used, the duration of the course, the
number of participants, the estimated budget and the type of funding. Additional details will be
provided in the invitation circular for each activity. The latter will be sent, usually through thePermanent Missions, to the authorities of each eligible country/customs territory well in advance of
the concerned event.
Based on the present training capacities, and for the next two-year cycle of courses (2002-2003),
eligible countries/customs territories can reasonably expect to be granted at least the followingnumber of fellowships:
Minimum allocation of fellowships and access to training courses
per country for the cycle 2002-2003
Government
officials from:Format 1
Induction CoursesFormat 2
Introduction
Courses1Format 3
Trade Policy
CoursesFormat 4
Specialized
Courses2
6 courses 2 courses in French
2 courses in English4 courses in English
1 course in French
1 course in Spanish6 courses
Least-developed
countriesNo fellowship;
Open to all (firstcome first served)2 fellowships
31 fellowship 1 fellowship4
Developing
countries and
economies in
transitionNo fellowship;
Open to all (first
come first served)- 1 fellowship No fellowship;
Open to all (first
come first served)
Others No fellowship;Open to all (firstcome first served)- - No fellowship;
Open to all (firstcome first served)
Additional courses and activities may be included in the programme depending on the progress made,
in particular, in the context of the development of the distance-learning projects, and on availability of
training capacities and financial support.
                                                     
1 For the time being: Introduction Courses for LDCs. Other target groups may be involved at a later
stage.
2 For the time being: Specialized Courses on Dispute Settlement. Other courses may be programmed at
a later stage.
3 Depending on financial resources available through trust funds.
4 Depending on financial resources available through trust funds.WT/COMTD/W/89
Page 5
Pro memoria , the following activities will be conducted before the end of 2001:
• 17 Sept. – 30 Nov. 18th Trade Policy Course (Format 3)
• 21 Sept. Induction Course (Format 1)
• Dec. – date to be decided Course on Dispute Settlement (Format 4)WT/COMTD/W/89
Page 6ANNEX    WTO TRAINING INSTITUTE'S TENTATIVE PR OGRAMME OF COURSES FOR THE CYCLE 2002-2003
Date Title Language Duration Number of
participantsBudget Estimate Funding
2002
14 Jan. – 5 April 19th Trade Policy Course English 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.-5
(fellowships for 27
participants)SECURED (subject to the approval by
Members of the WTO regular budget)
In parallel – date
to be decidedIntroduction Course (for
LDCs)French 3 weeks 30 max. CHF 150'000.-6
(fellowships for 30
participants fromLDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for thisactivity)
Apr./May – dateto be decidedCourse on Dispute
SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.-
7
(fellowships for 10
participants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for this
activity)
22 April – 12 July 20th Trade Policy Course Spanish 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.-
(fellowships for 27
participants)SECURED (subject to the approval by
Members of the WTO regular budget)
Spring – date to
be decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget  (running costs)
1st Semester  -
date to be decidedTrainers-Training Course
Ito be
decided1 to 2 weeks to be decided to be determined on the
basis of feasibility studyNOT SECURED YET
Trust Funds (allocation to this activity shall
be examined with interested donor(s))
1st Semester  -
date to be decidedTrainers-Training Course
IIto be
decided1 to 2 weeks to be decided to be determined on the
basis of feasibility studyNOT SECURED YET
Trust Funds (allocation to this activity shall
be examined with interested donor(s))
1st Semester  -
date to be decidedInternet-based Course –
Pilot ProjectEnglish Approx. 40
hours of
courseto be decided to be determined on the
basis of feasibility studyNOT SECURED YET
Trust Funds (allocation to this activity shall
be examined with interested donor(s))
                                                     
5 Estimate, based on current budgeted costs for "residential trade policy courses".
6 Indicative; based on costs of Short Trade Policy Courses for LDCs organised in the past.
7 Estimate, based on current budgeted costs for "courses on Dispute Settlement".WT/COMTD/W/89
Page 7Date Title Language Duration Number of
participantsBudget Estimate Funding
1st Semester  -
date to be decidedVideo-Conference Course
– Pilot Projectto be
decidedto be
decidedto be decided to be determined on the
basis of feasibility studyNOT SECURED YET
Trust Funds (allocation to this activity shall
be examined with interested donor(s))
Summer – date tobe decidedCourse on Dispute
SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.-
(fellowships forparticipants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that suchfunds will continue to be available for this
activity)
Autumn – date tobe decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget  (running costs)
Autumn – date tobe decidedIntroduction Course (for
LDCs)English 3 weeks 30 CHF 150'000.-
(fellowships for 30
participants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for this
activity)
Autumn – date tobe decidedCourse on Dispute
SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.-
(fellowships for 10
participants fromLDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for thisactivity)
16 Sept. – 6 Dec. 21st Trade Policy Course English 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.-
(fellowships for 27
participants)SECURED (subject to the approval by
Members of the WTO regular budget)
Winter – date to
be decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget  (running costs)
NB:  Based on assessment of pilot projects, distance-learning and training for trainers activities will be further developed at  a later stage.WT/COMTD/W/89
Page 8 Date Title Language Duration Number of
participantsBudget Estimate Funding
2003
Jan. – Apr. 22nd Trade Policy Course English 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.- (fellowships
for 27 participants)SECURED (subject to the approval by
Members of the WTO regular budget)
In parallel – dateto be decidedIntroduction Course (for
LDCs)French 3 weeks 30 CHF 150'000.- (fellowships
for 30 participants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for this
activity)
Apr./May – dateto be decidedCourse on Dispute
SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.- (fellowships
for 10 participants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for this
activity)
April –  July 23rd Trade Policy Course Sp anish 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.- (fellowships
for 27 participants)SECURED (subject to the approval by
Members of the WTO regular budget)
Spring – date tobe decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget (running costs)
Summer – date tobe decidedCourse on Dispute
SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.- (fellowships
for 10 participants fromLDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that suchfunds will continue to be available for this
activity)
Autumn – date tobe decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget (running costs)
Autumn – date tobe decidedIntroduction Course (for
LDCs)English 3 weeks 30 CHF 150'000.- (fellowships
for 30 participants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for this
activity)
Autumn – date tobe decidedCourse on Dispute
SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.- (fellowships
for 10 participants from
LDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through Trust
Funds for TA  (it is assumed that such
funds will continue to be available for thisactivity)
 Sept. –  Dec. 24th Trade Policy Course English 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.- (fellowships
for 27 participants)SECURED (subject to the approval by
Members of the WTO regular budget)
Winter – date tobe decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget (running costs)
__________