This course is designed for participants who (a) have some experience in capital market matters, either through the private or private sectors and/or (b) have successfully passed UNITAR's basic course in capital market development. In this Advanced Course, we assume working knowledge of capital market fundamentals. We spend less time discussing why there are problems in market development and much more time discussing what we can do to improve market growth. The principal direction of the Advanced Course is to go from where we are and to build upon our strengths, rather than dwell on past problems and failures. Our own outlook is optimistic for the future, and we hope that as a participant you will share our enthusiasm and help us through the discussions to share ideas that will lead to future economic development in all the respective countries.

The objectives and expected outcomes will vary depending upon the participants goals and responsibilities. In general, it may be expected that:

Analysis of existing regulation: the improved knowledge will permit a thorough examination and analysis of rules and regulations in light of each country's economic circumstances;

Private sector understanding of government concerns: private sector participants will gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for the policy concerns facing government in the regulation of the capital market;

Improved public and private sector cooperation: public and private sector participants will gain a greater understanding for the importance of continuing cross-communication and cooperation;

Improved opportunities for SMEs: new regulatory measures might be considered and implemented to improve the capital-raising opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses;

Improved measures to increase public confidence: new measures will be considered and implemented to improve the public's confidence in the operation and integrity of the capital market.
  

The course content will be structured to emphasize government's role and responsibilities in capital markets. Therefore, we would expect that the participants will principally be drawn from government ministries and agencies most directly involved in capital market matters. This would generally be the Ministries of Finance, Justice, Policy and Planning, and other institutions including State Banks, State Pension and Retirement Funds, State Insurance Funds, Foreign Investment officers, representatives of securities exchanges and staff members of supervising agencies such as capital markets authorities.

Experience in prior workshops has shown that dialogue between public and private sector representatives is highly beneficial to an understanding of respective interests and concerns. We therefore will encourage participation by private sector individuals such as brokers, lawyers, accountants, company directors, and trade organization officers.
 

This course is designed as an online course in which participants will be primarily responsible for their own learning. Each lesson will consist of the following components:

1) Basic Reading Materials (Compulsory Reading Materials): these materials are intended to educate the participants about the basic concepts and principles applicable to the subject-matter of the lesson. It will include, where appropriate, sample materials. These materials will constitute the required reading materials for the lesson

2) Advanced Reading Materials (Optional Reading Materials): this will consist of optional reading materials for participants who wish to learn more about the topic than what is covered in the lesson.

3) External Links: This will refer the interested participants to additional books, articles, documents, and websites that deal with the issues raised in the lesson.

4) Glossary: A glossary of terms tailored to the online course will be provided to the participants and act as a learning support during the entire course.

5) Quizzes: At the end of each lesson there will be a set of quizzes for participants to answer. These quizzes are designed to test the participant's understanding of the lesson. Participants are required to pass each quiz and obtain at least 80% or more passing grade in order to be eligible for a certificate. All quizzes will need to be taken online.

6) Community Discussion Board: There will be a community discussion board available on which participants can post questions or comments that can be seen by the instructor and the other participants. This discussion board will be moderated by the course director and UNITAR. Structured discussion strings will be posted on a weekly basis.

All successful participants will be eligible to a certificate after completion of this online course.
 

(Week 1) Session I: Public and Private Sector Competency

1. Meeting the Capital Market Challenges
2. Developing Private Sector Competence
3. Understanding the Essential Disclosure: Financial Statements

(Week 2) Session II: Enlarging Investment Opportunities

4. Creating New Investor Choices
5. Bringing SMEs Into the Capital Market

(Week 3) Session III: Encouraging Issuer Offerings

6. Government Assistance to Issuers
7. Advantages to the Company and Owners in Going Public

(Week 4) Session IV: Hot Issues in Capital Markets

8. Corporate Governance Standards
9. The Internet and the Capital Market: A Blessing or a Curse?

(Week 5) Session V: Corporate Control Shifts: Friendly and Otherwise

10. Mergers and Acquisitions: Capital Market Concerns
11. Hostile Takeovers