JOB/TC/15  
 
21 December 2018  
(18-8082) Page: 1/7 
   
 
WTO TRAINING ACTIVIT IES IN GENEVA AND THE REGIONAL TRADE POLIC Y 
COURSES (RTPC)  IN 201 9: DATES AND OTHER IN FORMATION  
1  INTRODUCTION  
1.1.   This communication sets out information on the Global Training Activities in Geneva and the 
eight-week long Regional Trade Policy Courses  (RTPCs)  to be conducted in 201 9. Its aim is to 
facilitate the planning of government officials' participation in the trade -related training activities to 
be conducted by the WTO in 201 9. The training calendar outlined below includes both face -to-face 
and activities available through E -Learning courses. It will be subject to revisions as circumstances 
change during the year or supplementary information becomes available.  This information will be 
made available on the page of the WTO website corresponding to  Building Trade Capacity – Technical 
Assistance and Training .1 
1.2.   Detailed information on course  titles, delivery language and dates are provided in annexes I 
and II included at the end of this communication. Annex I lists the activities available to "generalists" 
(see below) at different levels of learning through face -to-face courses held in Geneva and in the 
regions for the eight -week long trade policy courses or through the  E-Learning platform .2 Annex II 
contains similar information for learning activities aimed at "specialists"  and held in Geneva . 
1.3.   For courses organised per region, other than the eight -week long trade policy courses, details 
will be published as they become  available on the page s of the WTO website corresponding to 
Technical Assistance and Training  and the Global Trade -Related Technical Assistance Database.3 
1.4.  The Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation ( ITTC) encourages government officials 
from beneficiaries of WTO Trade -related Technical Assistance to take advantage of the wide range 
of training opportunities planned for their benefit during 2019. For each training activity, in 
accordance with existing proce dures, an announcement will be made online and/or a letter of 
invitation will be sent out to the Permanent Missions of the targeted beneficiaries detailing the 
activity's title, delivery language and dates, application requirements and other relevant infor mation . 
2  WTO'S PROGRESSIVE LE ARNING STRATEGY  
2.1.   The WTO training activities are structured around WTO's Progressive Learning Strategy (PLS). 
The PLS seeks to promote increasing levels of learning and the development of participants' 
autonomy in order to build  and sustain long -lasting human and  institutional capacities in beneficiary 
Members. This in turn aims to allow beneficiary Members to participate more effectively in  the 
rules-based Multilateral Trading System. In 201 9, the PLS will continue to play a key  role in  ensuring 
that government officials and other stakeholders progressively build their knowledge about the WTO 
Agreements and related obligations, formulation of trade policies, and the conduct of trade 
negotiations.4 
2.2.   Taking into account the spectru m of beneficiaries, the PLS foresees two learning paths - one 
for "generalists" and another for  "specialists":  
                                                
1 Available at https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/teccop_e/tct_e.htm . 
2 Available at https://wtolearning.csod.com . 
3 This Database is available at http://gtad.wto.org/ . 
4 Further details on the PLS may be found in the Biennial Technical Assistance and Training Plan 2018 –
19, WTO document WT/COMTD/W/227/Rev.1, 23 October 2017.  JOB/TC/15  
 
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  • "Generalists" are officials that require a broad knowledge of the WTO to conduct their work 
and have general responsibility for WTO issues.  
• "Spec ialists" are officials that require in -depth knowledge in a specific WTO area 
or Agreement and are working on or dealing with related specific issues.  
2.3.   The generalist learning path  consists of three PLS levels (see Annex I):  
• PLS Level 1 (basic). This level  offers generalists an initiation to the role, structure and 
functioning of the WTO, as well as to its economic and legal underpinnings. E -Learning 
courses are the mainstay for training at level 1, especially the online course "Introduction to 
the WTO". Ho wever, in view of the particular needs and interests of LDCs, a face -to-face 
"Introductory Trade Policy Course for LDCs" is also offered in Geneva.  
• PLS Level 2 (intermediate). This level provides a comprehensive understanding of the main 
provisions of the WTO Agreements and negotiations. The main face -to-face training offered 
to generalists at this level take s the form of Regional Trade Policy Courses (RTPCs).5  These 
are eight -week long courses organised by region and include revision segments and 
mandator y graded examinations. They cover the WTO Agreements and regional trade policy 
issues and focus on strengthening participants' autonomy through their ability to use WTO 
information resources, in particular the WTO Legal Texts. Alternatively, generalists ma y take 
advantage of level 2 E -Learning courses, in particular the online course "The Multilateral 
Trade Agreements".  
• PLS Level 3 (advanced). This level addresses horizontally trade policy issues on which one 
or several WTO Agreements  may have a bearing. The one course available to generalists at 
this level is the face -to-face Advanced Trade Policy Course (ATPC). The ATPC is the most 
comprehensive advanced WTO training product available under the PLS.  It includes a series 
of interactiv e sessions focussing on case studies, simulations and exercises, and roundtable s 
that foster the sharing of experiences and best practices as well as debating present -day 
trade topics.  
2.4.  The specialist learning path  consists of the following PLS levels (see Annex II):  
• PLS Level 1 (basic). Specialists also take advantage of the courses offered to generalists at 
level 1, as described above.  
• PLS Level 2 (intermediate). For specialists, this level offers a thematic approach focusing on 
one WTO Agreement (or o n a limited number of related ones). At this PLS level, participants 
may take part in one of the several specialized courses available through the E-Learning  
platform . 
• PLS Level 3 (advanced). This level is proposed to specialise on one sub -sector or one aspect 
of a single WTO Agreement, or to concentrate on one or several implementation issues.  All 
activities for specialists currently planned at level 3 are face -to-face and include several 
courses on specific topics in Geneva.  
3  OTHER WTO TRAINING ACTIVITIES  
3.1.   In addition to the courses listed in Annexes I and II, the WTO also offers other training 
activities ranging from PLS levels 1 to 3 in Geneva and the regions.  The courses in Geneva include 
Introduction and Focus Activities, intended for Geneva -based delegates, non -governmental 
organizations, WTO  staff members, interns working in the Secretariat and interested officials from 
other international organizations. Based on demand from Geneva -based WTO delegates, 
Introduction and Focus Activities may  be designed to  target particular WTO Agreements or issues, 
and to allow for more in -depth focus and exchange of  views and perspectives, as well as networking.  
                                                
5 RTPCs are  termed Intermediate Trade Policy Courses (ITPCs) in the Biennial Technical Assistance and 
Training Plan 2018 –19. JOB/TC/15  
 
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  3.2.   In addition, the E -Learning programme includes a tailor -made course based on individual 
needs an d interests through the selection of particular modules covering WTO agreements and areas 
in PLS levels 1 and 2, including all modules from the online courses set out in Annexes I and II. 
Participants can also take a test on WTO subjects and will get a tai lored recommendation based on 
their skills. The E -Learning programme also includes courses such as "The WTO in 10' " and "  
Agriculture Express ", which provide basic training on the WTO and the Multilateral Trading System 
using a learning -by-doing approach.  
3.3.   A new E -Learning Platform will be made available in 2019, offering enhanced e -learning  
services to beneficiaries such as learner -centered curricula, micro -learning opportunities, machine 
learning and recommendation algorithms , a mobile App, gamification features, personalised 
dashboards, as well as synchronous and asynchronous communication tools . 
4  KEY CONSIDERATIONS T O BENEFIT FROM WTO T RAINING  
4.1.   The ITTC wishes to remind beneficiaries of the vital importance of meeting the criteria spelt 
out for a specifi c WTO training activity , where applicable, to qualify to take part in it . Among others, 
such criteria may require that a completed application form be signed by both the candidate and the 
nominating national authority and submitted via the relevant mission  to the WTO. Compliance with 
any stated application deadlines is of the utmost importance.  
4.2.   In order to ensure the effectiveness of the PLS, candidates are selected based on the principle 
that prerequisites are obligatory to move through the levels of PLS activity.  Prerequisites reflect the 
pedagogical needs of each training activity and may take the form, for example, of having previously 
taken certain WTO courses and/or  having specific knowledge or professional experience. Meeting 
the relevant prerequisi tes is essential but not sufficient for a candidate to be selected to take part in 
face-to-face training activities. As the number of applicants typically exceeds the places available 
for such activities, it is often not possible to retain all qualified ca ndidates. In these cases, a selection 
process is carried out to piece together a well -balanced group of participants taking into 
consideration both the backgrounds of individual candidates as well as systemic considerations.  
4.3.   It is important to note that E -Learning training activities function both as a training tool and 
as a selection tool, with successful participants in these courses becoming eligible to attend certain 
face-to-face training activities.  
4.4.   All eligible candidates may benefit from the traini ng activities offered through the E-Learning  
platform, with no limit on the number of participants who may enrol in a particular course. E -Learning 
material may be freely obtained through the E-Learning  Course Catalogue, with participants able to 
start the ir course at their convenience and to organize their study pace according to what fits them 
best. However, participants must register and submit a nomination form in order to participate in a 
monitored course, access the module exams and obtain a WTO certi ficate. Online registration for E -
Learning courses is open throughout the year6. 
4.5.   As in the past, due consideration will be given in 201 9 to offering when appropriate additional 
places to participants from all Members on a self -funded basis. In line with t he Biennial Technical 
Assistance and Training Plan 2018 –19, efforts will be made to expand the availability of course -
offerings in all three WTO languages in activities held in Geneva and, as a result, the delivery 
language of an activity may vary from tha t indicated in Annexes I and II.  
5  ANNEXES I AND II7 
5.1.  These two annexes incorporate a selection of key activities and are not comprehensive; in 
particular, they do not include requests related to specialist regional seminars and national technical 
assistance . In going through the annexes, these additional points should be kept in mind:  
•  Dates shown for face -to-face courses are tentative and may change.  
•  Face-to-face courses are delivered in English, French or Spanish, as indicated.  
                                                
6 Available at https://wtolearning.csod.com . 
7 Information on  all training activities is availabl e on the WTO website at: 
http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/devel_e/train_e/course_details_e.htm . JOB/TC/15  
 
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  •  E-Learning courses are ava ilable at any time throughout the year and, thus, they are 
not associated with particular dates.  
•  All E-Learning courses are available in English, French and Spanish except as noted.  
_______________  JOB/TC/15  
 
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  ANNEX I  
2019 Training Calendar for Generalists*  
 
LEVEL 3  
 
Face -to-face:   
• Advanced Trade Policy Course (E), 28 January  – 22 March  
• Advanced Trade Policy Course ( F TBC), 3 June – 26 July 
• Advanced Trade Policy Course (E TBC), 7 October – 29 November  
 
 
 
 
LEVEL 2  
 
Face -to-face:  
• RTPC for French -Speaking Africa: Côte d'Ivoire (F), 18 February – 12 April  
• RTPC for English -Speaking Africa: Mauritius (E), 29 April – 21 June (TBC)  
• RTPC for the Caribbean (E) , Trinidad and Tobago, 3 June – 26 July  
• RTPC for CEECAC countries: Kazakhstan (E) , 7 October – 29 November  
• RTPC for Arab and Middle East countries (E) (TBD)  
• RTPC for Asia -Pacific (E) ( TBD) 
• RTPC for Latin America (S) (TBD)  
E-Learning:  
• The Multilateral Trade Agreements  
• The WTO and Trade Economics: Theory and Policy  
• Legal Underpinnings  
 
 
 
 
LEVEL 1  
Face -to-face:  
• Introductory Trade Policy Course for LDCs  (F), 29 April – 17 May  
• WTO Information Seminar on International Trade Policy  for Journalists (TBC), TBD  
E-Learning:  
• Introduction to the WTO  
 
 
 
* E=English, F=French, RTPC= eight -week long Regional Trade Policy Course, S=Spanish, TBC= to 
be confirmed, TBD= to be determined.  JOB/TC/15  
 
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  ANNEX II  
2019 Training Calendar for Specialists*  
 
LEVEL 3  
 
Face -to-face:  
• Workshop on LDC Priority Needs (Intellectual Property) (E), 11 – 12 February  
• Joint WIPO/WTO Advanced Course on Intellectual Property for Government Officials (E),  
11- 22 March  
• Second Symposium for IP Judges (E), 29 April – 3 May  
• Advanced Workshop on Agric ulture Notifications (E), 30 April  – 3 May  
• Advanced Global Workshop on Government Procurement (E), 1 3 – 17 May 
• Advanced TBT  Transparency Workshop  (E), 17 – 20 June 
• WIPO -WTO Co lloquium for IP teachers (E), 17 – 28 June  
• Advanced Course on the Economic Analysis of Trade Policy (E), 27 June  – 5 July  
• Follow -up to the 201 8 Advanced Thematic Course on SPS ( S), 10 – 19 July 
• SPS Thematic Workshop (E . F, S ), 15 – 16 July  
• Advanced Thematic C ourse on GATS (E), 1 6 -20 September  
• Advanced Thematic Course on Regional Trade Agreements and the WTO (E),  
16 – 20 September  
• Course on Trade in Value Added and Global Value Chains (E), 2 3 – 27 September  
• Advanced Course on Import Licensing Procedures (E), 30 September  – 4 October  
• Advanced Th ematic Course on SPS ( E), 28 October – 15 November  
• Thematic Workshop on Trade and Public Health (E), 11 – 15 November  
• Thematic Seminar on Competition Policy, Trade and Development (E), 12 – 14 November  
• Advanced Thematic course on TBT (E),  TBD ( November -December)  
• Thematic course on Trade in Services Statistics (E), 2 – 6 December  
• Advanced Thematic Course on WTO Dispute Settlement ( E), 2 – 6 December  
 
 
 
  JOB/TC/15  
 
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LEVEL 2  
 
Face -to-face:  
• Seminar on WTO Accessions Rules (E), 4 – 15 February  
• Development dimension of the MTS and enhancing LDC participation (E/F),  
30 September  – 4 October  
E-Learning:  
• Accession to the WTO  (new interactive course)  
• Agriculture in the WTO  
• A Short Trip to TRIPS  
• CITES and the WTO: Enhancing Cooperation for Sustainable Development  
• Copyrights in the WTO  
• Mainstreaming Trade: The Fundamentals  
• Made in ...: Understanding Rules of Origin  
• Market Access for Goods and Non -Agricultural Market Access Negotiations  
• Patents in the WTO  
• Regional Trade Agreements and the WTO  
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  
• Technical Barriers to Trade in the WTO  
• The WTO Dispute Settlement System  
• Trade and Environment (new interactive course)  
• Trade and Development  
• Trade Facilitation Agreement  
• Trade Finance and the WTO  
• Trade in Services in the WTO  
• Trade Remedies and the WTO  
• Trade -Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights  
• Transparency and the WTO: Notifications Obligations  
• WTO Market Access Intelligence Online  
 
 
 
 
LEVEL 1  
Face -to-face:  
• Introductory Trade Policy Course for LDCs  (F), 29 April – 17 May  
E-Learning:  
• Introduction to the WTO  
 
* E = English, F = French, S = Spanish, TBC = activity to be confirmed/decided, TBD = dates to be 
determined (possible time period between parentheses)  
 
 
 __________