WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/W/115
14 May 2003
(03-2568)
Committee on Trade and Development
REPORT ON THE WTO TRAINING ACTIVITIES
conducted between 1 September 2002 and 15 March 2003
Note by the Secretariat1
A. BACKGROUND
1. In the past, training activities have been regularly reported to the Committee on Trade and
Development2 and the Budget Committee3 through notes and communications distinct from the
reports on technical cooperation activities. Since June 2001, the reports on training activities
essentially covered courses and programmes c oordinated and/or conducted by the WTO Training
Institute.
2. With effect from 15 March 2003, the WTO Training Institute has been merged with the
Technical Cooperation Division (TCD)4. The new entity is called "Institute for Training and
Technical Cooperation" (ITTC). Future reporting on the training activities will be integrated into the
quarterly reports submitted by the ITTC to the Committee on Trade and Development.
3. Consequently, the present report on training activities is the last one which is presented
separately from reporting on technical cooperation activities. It covers activities conducted by the
former Training Institute between 1 September 2002 and 15 March 2003.
4. It is worth recalling that in the context of training programmes and activities delivered by all
WTO Divisions, the Technical Assistance Management Committee (TAMC) ensures coordination andcoherence between all training and technical cooperation activities.
B. R
EPORTING ON TRAINING ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMMES COORDINATED AND /OR
CONDUCTED BY THE FORMER WTO T RAINING INSTITUTE
(a) Introduction Days
5. The Introduction Days consist of a one-day series of presentations on the WTO, its historical
background, its basic principles, its functioning, as well as on how to access WTO documents
("Documents-on-line" facility) and how to navigate in the WTO Website. It also includes an update
on current affairs, including in the context of ongoing negotiations. These activities are intended fordelegates newly arrived in Geneva, non-governmental organizations, as well as the interns currently
working in the Secretariat and new staff members. Introduction Days are usually conducted in English
with interpretation into French and Spanish. Financing is ensured by the regular budget.
                                                     
1 This document has been produced under the Secretariat's own responsibility and without prejudice to
the positions of Members and to their rights and obligations under the WTO.
2 Documents WT/COMTD/W/82, WT/COMTD/W/86, WT/COMTD/W/89,
WT/COMTD/W/89/Rev.1, and WT/COMTD/W/103, refer.
3 The last note prepared in that context is WT/BFA/W/83.
4 See OFFICE(03)/21WT/COMTD/W/115
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6. The activities conducted during the period under consideration were:
• 5th Introduction Day, held on 16 October 2002;
• 6th Introduction Day, held on 11 March 2003.
(b) Specialized Courses
7. Specialized Courses consist of training sessions devoted to particular topics. They last
between one and two weeks and usually contain a short introduction to the WTO and its basic
principles and a series of presentations, case studies, simulation exercises focusing on one or a group
of specific issues. These activities are, in principle, intended for governmental officials from
developing countries, least-developed countries, and economies in transition. In some cases, like for
the Specialized Courses on Dispute Settlement Rules and Procedures, training is also available to
developed countries pursuant to Article 27.3 of the Understanding on Rules and ProceduresGoverning the Settlement of Disputes.
8. Financing depends on the type of activity. Participation in the courses on Dispute Settlement
is self-financed, except for least-developed countries, for which a limited number of WTO fellowships
is offered. For the Specialized Course on Trade Negotiations organized in 2002, the financing wasensured essentially by the regular budget with an additional support from the Geneva International
Academic Network (GIAN).
9. The activities conducted during the period under consideration were:
• 4
th Specialized Course on Dispute Settlement Rules and Procedures, held between
7 and 11 October 2002, in English with interpretation into French and Spanish;
• 1st Specialized Course entitled "Negotiating Trade Agreements: from Theory to
Practice", held between 2 and 13 December 2002, in English, with the cooperation of
the Geneva Institute for Graduate Studies and with the financial support of the GIAN.
(c) Introduction Courses
10. The Introduction Courses last three weeks. They are organized in cooperation with the
International Trade Centre (ITC) and consist of a three-week series of presentations on the WTO, its
historical background, its rules and procedures, and its functioning.  The first two weeks essentially
focus on the WTO agreements and issues currently dealt with under the auspices of the organization.
The third week principally focuses on the "development dimension" and includes activities conductedin cooperation with other international organizations such as the ITC, the UNCTAD, the WIPO, and
occasionally the World Bank. This activity is intended for least-developed countries. Introduction
Courses are conducted alternatively in English and French. Financing is ensured by the regular
budget.
11. The activities conducted during the period under consideration were:
• Introduction Course, held in French between 11 and 29 November 2002.
(d) Trade Policy Courses
12. Trade Policy Courses (TPCs) last three months. They consist of series of presentations on the
WTO, its historical background, its rules and procedures, and its functioning.  The programme
includes visits to other international organizations active in WTO-related matters, attendance at WTOWT/COMTD/W/115
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meetings5, and regular briefings on current affairs including negotiations. Despite the duration of
TPCs, the objective is not to form specialists in e ach area of activity of the WTO but rather to ensure
that participants are exposed to all WTO-related issues and develop practical skills as well as an
extensive network of contacts allowing them to contribute effectively to an active participation of
their respective countries / customs territories to the multilateral trading system. This activity isintended for developing countries, least developed countries and economies in transition. TPCs are
conducted alternatively in English, French and Spanish. Financing is ensured by the regular budget.
13. The activities conducted during the period under consideration were:
• 21
st TPC, held in English between 11 September and 6 December 2002;
• 22nd TPC, held in English between 11 September and 6 December 2002;
• 23rd TPC, held in English between 13 January and 4 April 2003;
• 24th TPC, held in French between 13 January and 4 April 2003.
(e) Other activities
14. A first phase of the Training-of-Trainers programme (ToT) was launched in 2002. It consisted
of a series of 19 courses addressed to WTO staff involved in training and technical cooperation
activities. This programme continued during the period under consideration. Follow-up activities were
also conducted at the beginning of 2003 with a view to capitalize on the training received. Notable
changes have been observed in the manner training is delivered as a consequence of the ToTProgramme.
15. In the context of the University Programme, a number of options to strengthen the
cooperation between the WTO Secretariat and the academic community have been examined during
the period under consideration. Concrete actions will follow shortly.
16. In the area of Distance learning, the evaluation of the internet-based course held, on a trial
basis, in June-July 2002 progressed during the period under consideration. Conclusions and
recommendations are due shortly.
17. Training didactic material continued to be developed during the period under consideration
with a view to constitute a solid basis for a consol idated package of training support material, which
has already started to be used on a regular basis for training activities conducted by the WTO
Secretariat.
***
18. The merge between the former Training Ins titute and the former Technical Cooperation
Division will not substantially modify the various training programmes such as the ones conducted
during the period under consideration. However, pla nning and coordination of training and technical
cooperation activities, as well as the consolidation of a coherent package of basic support training
material are expected to be improved with the establishment of the ITTC.
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5 The programme of TPCs is adapted to local / regional conditions when TPCs are held in the field. No
regional TPCs were held during the period under co nsideration but preparatory work was carried out.