About the Course

WTO has recently commemorated its 25th anniversary. In the course of its short history, the WTO has managed to achieve and establish its objectives more than any other International Organization in the world. From establishing interconnectedness between the world countries to developing jurisprudence, the organization played a key role in the development of multilateral relations. India has been one of the most active participants in the WTO’s mechanism and also one of the major contributors to its International trade jurisprudence. On the other hand, India’s interconnectedness in the global order through the course of history has been to a large extent shaped by its International Trade and Commerce. It is never an understatement to say that trade acts as a catalyst for the establishment of strategic alliances. Despite the fact that International trade has seen an unprecedented rise in the past years, changed perception of globalization, protectionist policies, disruptions in the administrative functions of the WTO, lack of precision in the WTO agreements and, several other factors have disrupted International Trade. Now as we move into the third decade of the century, the world is facing a new face of challenges amid the pandemic. The COVID-19 has not only shocked the global economy but set several challenges and impediments to the International Trade order. Several International Economic Organizations predict shrink and downfall in the global economy. India’s share of challenges also comes with its share of opportunities. It is important to explore these challenges and opportunities in order to ascertain India’s policy priorities and also, its vision for the world. Therefore, to explore the tenets of India’s trade policy in the post-pandemic world and, to encourage dialogue, debate, and discourse on International Trade, the Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD) along with Global Policy Insights (GPI) initiates a workshop on “International Trade and WTO @ 25 – Assessing Geopolitics, Economy and Trade Policy of India in the post COVID- 19 World.”

About Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD)

Indian Forum for Public Diplomacy (IFPD) is a student-run non-partisan, not-for-profit think tank established by students from all over India with the aim of aiding foreign policy thinking through young academia. In an era in which Foreign Policy has to be rooted in the landscape of people, diplomacy is no more just a government-to-government engagement. The idea of Public Diplomacy advocates the engagement of people into a participatory Foreign Policy and reform process. In the age of the 21st century, where global co-operation is sporadic and the consensus is elusive, it is imperative to drive foreign policy and reform through people. The forum hence engages to bring forth initiatives through research, opinion, dialogue, and debate to catalyze global cooperation and enhance Indian Public diplomacy.

About Global Policy Insights (GPI)

Global Policy Insights (GPI) is a Centrist Policy Institute with a vision to equip Governments, Policy Makers, NGPs and diverse actors within the sphere of International Development with the tools required to nurture Good Governance practices and promote sustainable development. In the presence of a rapidly evolving international political economy, it is crucial for these actors to navigate through dynamic circumstances and adopt comprehensive strategies to stimulate and catalyse inclusive socio-economic growth through local, regional, national and global perspectives. Thus, GPI partners with and serves governments, universities, local and multinational communities, and corporates throughout the world to deliver innovative unions of research, advisory, design, deliberative enquiry, and consulting services

Overview of the Course

• The Workshop shall be a 6-day event composed of a series of 10-12 lectures, discussions, discourses delivered by experts from the field.
• We also encourage debates between student groups during the course of the workshop.
• Each day shall consist a maximum of 2 sessions in the evenings (Morning and evening on Sunday) on various topics concerning International Trade, Trade Law, Economy, and Trade Relations
• It is mandatory for the participants to fill a feedback form after each session and the minimum requirement of attendance shall be 70%.
• Upon the completion of the workshop, it is mandatory that each candidate shall submit an article or research paper (1200-2000 words) in the areas concerning International Trade and Relations.
• All submissions shall be published on IFPD’s special edition on International Trade and Economy.
• Few selected authors shall be called upon again to undertake research under the guidance of our junior fellows and Board of Advisors and convert their papers into policy proposals which shall be sent to the Ministry of External Affairs/ DGFT or Ministry of Commerce as policy recommendations.
• All the participants shall be provided with a certificate of participation post their submissions for their participation and contribution to the workshop.

Objectives of the Course

• To provide young academia an opportunity to explore the contours of International Trade, Policy, and WTO Studies.
• To lively interact with experts from the field and to pool knowledge, experience and expertise of various academia in International Trade and Relations.
• To help young participants explore the prospects of International Trade.
• To acquire insights from both experts and young students for ascertaining India’s policy decisions in order to make recommendations in trade reforms and practice.
• To encourage dialogue, debate, discourse, and research among the policy community and young academicians.
• Participants will be able to learn some of the critical issues in International Trade, Relations, and the implications of changing world trade and economic dynamics on India.
• Participants will be able to develop or suggest pro-active solutions for some of the key issues in International Trade and Relations through active dialogue and debate.
• Participants will be able to contribute research on the subjects and areas discussed in the course.
• Participants will be able to explore the contours of International Trade and WTO studies which shall help them understand the career prospects in International Trade and Relations

Inaugural session- IFPD and GPI Workshop on International Trade and WTO @25 :

Session 03 - Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), Implications to India - IFPD & GPI:

Online Session on "Emerging Trade Relations and Implications to India.":

Online Session on "Political Economy and Trade: Implications to India":

Online Session on "Sustainability and Trade: Implications for India ":

Brochures

• Time Schedule - WTO@25
• workshop-brochure-IFPD-GPI.pdf