WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/COMTD/W/89/Rev.1
14 January 2002
(02-0161)
Committee on Trade and Development
Thirty Seventh Session
FUTURE ACTIVITIES OF THE WTO TRAINING INSTITUTE
Note by the Secretariat
Revision
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.
On 12 December 2001, the General Council, guided by the Doha Development Agenda which was
endorsed at the fourth session of the Ministerial Conference, approved a revised budget proposal
encompassing inter alia , the doubling of training capacities over a transitional year allowing it, in
principle, to be fully operational in 2003. The doubling, within the budget meaning, implies only
doubling the number of the three-month trade policy courses from three to six annually.
The Institute is advised by a Board, which held its first meeting on 21 November 2001. The Board
acts 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 Trade
and Development (Annex to WT/COMTD/W/86) remain a useful reference.
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 headquarters of 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 Ra vier, ensures that coordination and coherence are
strengthened, inter alia , in the context of training programmes and activities delivered by the WTO's
various Divisions.
The present document should be seen in parallel with the " Coordinated WTO Secretariat annual
technical assistance plan 2002 " contained in the document WT/COMTD/W/95. It presents activities
which will complement those contained in the plan, since the latter, as stated in paragraph 7 of
WT/COMTC/W/95, "… needs to be read in conjunction with a number of technical assistanceactivities that are being carried out beyond the Doha Development Agenda. This is the case, inter alia ,
of the planned activities of the WTO Training Institute …".WT/COMTD/W/89/Rev.1
Page 2
B. PURPOSE 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/customs
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 followingelements should 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 betaken into account.
(b) For several activities, a "cycle approach" 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. Once the doubling of the three-month TPC, endorsed by Members in the context ofthe approval of the budget for 2002, becomes fully operational in 2003, the duration of the
cycle, for that activity, will be reduced to one year.
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 withoutsecured 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 TrainingInstitute.
This note, therefore, presents what can be reasonably offered in 2002 by the WTO Training Institute
in terms of training activities at or from the WTO Headquarters, taking into account resources, both
human and financial, allocated to it.
C. F
IELDS 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.WT/COMTD/W/89/Rev.1
Page 3
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 oncomplementary training addressing especially the needs of trainers.  In that context, the first phase of
the WTO Training-of-Trainers programme  (ToT) will be launched in 2002. It will consist of a
series of 15 courses addressed to WTO staff involved in training activities essentially through lectures
and presentations either at Headquarters or in the field. The objective of this first stage of the ToT
programme is to improve the training efficiency of the WTO Secretariat with a view to ensuring a
higher quality response to the increasing training needs identified by the Members. The second phase
of the ToT programme, to be initiated in principle at the end of 2002, will be addressed to trainers indeveloping countries active in training on WTO-related matters. Reporting on the first phase and
further details on the plan for the second phase will be communicated to the Committee in due course.
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 outsideexpertise to complement existing human resources. Projects involving modern communication
technology such as distance learning via internet or video conferencing are being developed. In this
respect, the Institute is planning to offer  distance-learning  pilot projects early in 2002.
First, a platform for offering training courses on line is presently being developed with a view
to launch a pilot project for fifty to sixty registered participants during the first semester of
2002.
Second, an initial series of five three-hour video-conferences on legal aspects of international
trade, initiated by the World Bank with the cooperation of the WTO Secretariat, will belaunched in late January. This initiative is expected to continue if the trial phase is considered
satisfactory. It will involve eight developing countries – four at a time – and is expected to be
concluded in May 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 implemented, 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 atWT/COMTD/W/89/Rev.1
Page 4
large, and that activities developed through the ac ademic 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 suchactivities 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 development
banks 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.
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).  Assu ming 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 2002
The tentative Institute's Programme of Activities for 2002 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, through the Permanent Missions in most
cases, to the authorities of each eligible country/customs territory well in advance of the event
concerned.
Based on the training capacities allocated to the Institute, eligible countries/customs territories can
reasonably expect to be granted at least the following number of fellowships:WT/COMTD/W/89/Rev.1
Page 5
Minimum allocation of fellowships and access to training courses
per country for 2002
Government
officials from:Format 1
Induction CoursesFormat 2
Introduction
Courses1Format 3
Trade Policy
CoursesFormat 4
Specialized
Courses2
3 courses 1 courses in French
1 courses in English3 courses in English
1 course in Spanish33 courses
Least-developed
countriesNo fellowship;Open to all (firstcome first served)1 fellowships 1 fellowship over a
cycle of 6 courses1 fellowship over a
cycle of 6 courses
Developing
countries and
economies in
transitionNo fellowship;
Open to all (firstcome first served)- 1 fellowship over a
cycle of 6 coursesIn principle, no
fellowship;  Opento 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 oftraining 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 One course each in French and in English in 2003 will complete the cycle of 6 courses.WT/COMTD/W/89/Rev1
Page 6
ANNEX    WTO TRAINING INSTITUTE'S TENTAT IVE PROGRAMME OF COURSES FOR 2002
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.-4
(fellowships for 27
participants)SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
11-28  March 1st Introduction Course
(for LDCs)English 3 weeks 25 max. CHF 240'700.-5
(fellowships for 25
participants from
LDCs)SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
8-12 April 2nd Specialized Course on
Dispute SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.-6
(fellowships for 10
participants fromLDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through
Trust Funds for TA  (it is assumed
that such funds will continue to beavailable for this activity)
8-19 April 2nd Commonwealth
Secretariat WTO's
Familiarisation
ProgrammeEnglish 2 weeks 5-6 N.A. Commonwealth Secretariat
29 April – 19 July 20th Trade Policy Course Spanish 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.-
(fellowships for 27
participants)SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
1 February Induction Course Trilingual 1 day ope n-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget (running costs)
                                                     
4 Estimate, based on current budgeted costs for "residential trade policy courses".
5 Indicative; based on costs of Short Trade Policy Courses for LDCs organised in the past.
6 Estimate, based on current budgeted costs for "courses on Dispute Settlement".WT/COMTD/W/89/ Rev1
Page 7Date Title Language Duration Number of
participantsBudget Estimate Funding
Feb 27-March 1
March 13-15
Apr. 24-26May 1-3
May 22-24
June 5-7
June 19-21
June 26-28July 10-12
July 24-26
Aug. 21-23
Aug. 28-30
Sep. 18-20
Oct. 9-11
Oct. 23-25Trainers-Training
Programme, Phase 1English 3 days per
session150 WTO Staff
involved in training
deliveryCHF 250'000.- SECURED through Trust Fund
monies
2nd Semester  -
date to be decidedTrainers-Training
Programme, Phase 2to be
decidedto be
decidedto be decided (in
principle developing
countries' officials
and/or members of
the academic
community involvedin training on WTO-
related issues)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 (in
principle up to 60
invited government
officials – former
participants to TPCsfor the pilot project)CHF 250'000.- SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
Jan. 22
Feb. 26
March 26
April 23
May 14Video-Conference Course
– Pilot Project initiated by
the World Bank –English series of 5
four-hour
video-
conferencesup to 10-60 on six
connected sites
(Washington,
Geneva, +four
rotating developing
countries' locations)N.A. SECURED through the WTO regular
budget  (running costs)WT/COMTD/W/89/Rev1
Page 8Date Title Language Duration Number of
participantsBudget Estimate Funding
22-26 July 3rd Specialized Course on
Dispute SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.-7
(fellowships for 10
participants fromLDCs)IN PRINCIPLE SECURED through
Trust Funds for TA  (it is assumed
that such funds will continue to beavailable for this activity)
Autumn – date tobe decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget  (running costs)
11-29 Nov. 2nd Introduction Course
(for LDCs)French 3 weeks 25 max. CHF 240'700.-8
(fellowships for 25
participants from
LDCs)SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
9-13 Dec. 4th Specialized Course on
Dispute SettlementTrilingual 1 week 30 CHF 60'000.-9
(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)
16 Sept. – 6 Dec. 21st Trade Policy Course English 3 months 30 CHF 500'000.-
(fellowships for 27)SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
16 Sept. – 6 Dec. 22nd Trade Policy
Course10English113 months 30 CHF 500'000.-
(fellowships for 27)SECURED (WTO regular budget
2002)
Winter – date tobe decidedInduction Course Trilingual 1 day open-ended N.A SECURED through the WTO regular
budget  (running costs)
__________
                                                     
7 Estimate, based on current budgeted costs for "courses on Dispute Settlement".
8 Indicative; based on costs of Short Trade Policy Courses for LDCs organised in the past.
9 Estimate, based on current budgeted costs for "courses on Dispute Settlement".
10 Provided the improvement of the training infrastructure foreseen in Budget 2002 have become operational.
11 The first two such courses in 2003 would be held in English and French to complete the cycle.