Dates: January 26 - March 20, 2009

Course Description: This course will explore some of the analytical and policy issues related to the impact of trade liberalization on economic growth and poverty reduction.  The purpose of the course is to help civil society and government officials understand the findings and recommendations of recent and sometimes highly technical economic analyses related to the growth and poverty implications of trade reforms and international trade agreements. As a result, participants will be better able to participate in the formation and monitoring of their country’s trade reform and negotiating agenda.

Audience: This introductory overview course is intended mainly for representatives of civil society organizations involved or interested in the trade and globalization debate and in monitoring and influencing the trade reform agenda of their country.  Participants from around the world are encouraged to register.  In addition to civil society, the course will be useful for policymakers, legislators, and negotiators in countries undertaking or contemplating trade reforms, as well as political, social, and economic researchers (non-trade specialists).  The course will be conducted in English over the Internet, so the ability to participate in the online discussion is a key pre-requisite for participants.

Course structure: The course will be structured via 8 week-long modules. The course will include modules drawn from Bank studies, WBI-commissioned overview papers, and non-Bank seminal works, including critical perspectives on the relationship between trade, development, and poverty.  The course will also make extensive use of case-studies from around the world.

Most modules will consist of mandatory readings as well as recommended readings that will provide more in-depth treatment of each topic. 

Requirements: Participants will be expected to read the course materials at the beginning of the week. On Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of each week there will be an online discussion (not in real time) among participants guided by that week’s moderator.  To successfully complete the course and receive a certificate of course completion from the WBI, each participant is required to:

(i) review the mandatory materials,
(ii) to regularly participate actively in the online discussion (in at least 6 of the 8 weeks).

Participants are also required to complete an end-of-course evaluation. Total time commitment for participants is expected to range from 12 - 16 hours per week.

Optional Project: Participants are also invited to submit an analysis of a specific trade and poverty issue prevalent in their country, using a framework discussed during the course.  This should be a maximum of 2 written pages ( 12 point Times Roman font, double spaced) , with figures and tables attached at the end.  These analyses will be read by a trade expert and best analyses will be forwarded to the relevant World Bank country economist.

Fee: Participants from developing countries will be assessed a $150 tuition fee, to be waived for government officials and academics from least developed countries (LDCs). The cost for participants from developed countries will be $300. 

Application:

• For Non World Bank Staff - To apply for this course, please go to:

http://info.worldbank.org/etools/wbi_learning/activity.cfm?sch_id=TRA09-01-116

1) Click the Apply button
2) Complete the application form
3) Click Submit
4) A confirmation will be sent to those selected, within seven days from the deadline to submit applications.

Last day to submit registration: January 19th, 2009

Maximum number of participants will be 100, from all regions.

Agenda

The planned weekly topics are as follows:

Ravindra Yatawara - Course Director, World Bank Institute
Tel.: + 1 - 202 - 458-4050, Email: ryatawara@worldbank.org

Gustavo Garcia-Benavides - Course Coordinator, World Bank Institute
Tel.: +1 - 202 - 473-7332, Email: ggarciabenavides@worldbank.org

Anita Chen - Administrative Assistant, World Bank Institute
Tel.: + 1 - 202  - 473 -1403, Email : Achen1@worldbank.org                                     
   

Target Audience: Civil society, policy makers, social science researchers interested in the economic growth and distributional impact of trade.