The Settlement of Disputes under the World Trade Organization (WTO) (2016b)
The world trading system has undergone massive changes in the last decade. The creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the development of enforceable international rules governing trade in services and intellectual property rights as well as trade in goods vastly expanded the scope and effectiveness of the system. This course will expose participants to the history, objectives and structure of the WTO, and discuss its relationship with its predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) of 1947, its rules for the settlement of disputes among its state members, as well as its treatment of the environment and developing countries. Furthermore, the course describes the specific rules which govern the establishment and functioning of dispute panels, the rights of third parties, the appellate review procedure and the implementation of panel or appellate body rulings or recommendations. Finally, a dispute recently resolved by a WTO panel is provided to illustrate the dispute settlement process.
At the end of the course, the participants should be able to:
- Discuss the history, objectives, and structure of the WTO;
- Relate the WTO with the GATT of 1947, and discuss its rules for the settlement of disputes among its member states; and
- Analyze the relevance of rules which govern dispute panels, the rights of third parties, the appellate review procedure, and the implementation of panel or appellate body rulings or recommendations.
The course consist of the following modules:
- Module 1: Introduction to the WTO dispute resolution mechanisms
- Module 2: Dispute Settlement under the GATT 1947
- Module 3: Dispute Settlement under the WTO
- Module 4: Appellate Review
In order to ensure the best possible outreach, the course will be delivered through e-learning. Through a multiple-instructional setting, the goal is to achieve the learning objectives by means of learning technologies that match personal learning styles and by the inclusion of non-linear learning that aims at the development of just-in-time skills of adult learners. At the same time, in order to allow participants maximum flexibility of scheduling , the learning will be conducted in an asynchronous manner. Using a state-of-the-art training architecture, UNITAR will combine self-learning with assessments and online discussions. The pedagogy - adapted specifically to professionals in full-time work - will help train participants through various experiences: absorb (read); do (activity); interact (socialize); reflect (relate to one’s own reality).
This course will benefit foreign trade agency officials, lending and export industry executives, export-import and chambers of commerce officials, policy makers, academics, international economists and international lawyers.
A certificate of completion will be issued by UNITAR to all participants who complete the course-related assignments and assessments successfully. Course schedule is subject to change. Course fee is non-refundable but transferrable to another course or participant and subject to change as per UNITAR's policy on pricing.