The World Trade Institute (WTI) is an interdisciplinary centre at the University of Bern focused on research, education, and policy support in the areas of global economic governance[broken anchor], international economic law, and international economic sustainability.[3]

World Trade Institute (WTI)
Established1999
Parent institution
University of Bern
Managing DirectorJoseph Francois
Academic staff
7 professors, 7 lecturers, 41 researchers, 32 external lecturers[1][2]
Address
World Trade Institute
University of Bern
Hallerstrasse 6 3012
Bern, Switzerland
LanguageEnglish
Missionresearch, education
global economic governance[broken anchor], International economics, international economic law
Degrees offeredPhD,LL.M.,MAS, DAS, CAS
Websitehttp://www.wti.org
University of Bern

Overview

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The WTI was established in 1995 in connection with the Uruguay Round.[4] However, only in 1999 it was set up as an inter-university research institution and training centre of the University of Bern, the University of Fribourg, and the University of Neuchâtel within the framework of world trade law with the support of the World Trade Organisation.[5][6] Since 2009, the WTI is one of the strategic “Centres of Excellence” within the University of Bern,[7] with a global profile in both research and education. The Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) played an important role in the transformation of the WTI into a Swiss university centre of excellence through the SNSF funded National Competence Centre for Research (NCCR) on global economic governance.[8] Other NCCR-based centers at the University of Bern include NCCR PlanetS[9] (focused on exoplanet studies), NCCR Climate[10] (now the Oeschger Centre for Climate Change Research), and NCCR RNA and Disease.[11] Together with the European University Institute (EUI), the WTI organizes the annual World Trade Forum.[12][13]

Its research and impact assessments on the negotiation, structure, enforcement, and effects of international economic agreements feature in public policy debates.[14][15][16][17] Notable faculty include Manfred Elsig, Joseph Francois, Peter Van den Bossche, Thomas Cottier, Michael Hahn.[1][2] Visiting professors include Felix Addor,[18] Arthur E. Appleton,[19] Thomas Bernauer and Luca Rubini.[20] Some of the professors are part of the editorial board of the World Trade Review, an academic peer-reviewed journal in the field of economic law, which was created as an initiative of the WTO.[21]

Academics

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Degrees earned at the WTI are awarded by the University of Bern,[22] and are regulated under Swiss law governing higher education.[23] Degree programs include a PhD program (offered through the Graduate School of Economic Globalisation and Integration), a combined LL.M. and DAS program in International Trade and Investment Law (TRAIL+), an MAS program in international trade regulation (Master of International Law and Economics or MILE), and certificate and diploma programs in international law and economics.[22] The MILE was established in 1999 and is the flagship program of the World Trade Institute. It is designed for students and professionals with a background in law, economics, international relations or political science.[24] The WTI has over 600 alumni who work for a mix of public sector organisations (international organisations, diplomatic services, trade and economics ministries), non-governmental organisations, universities, and the private sector (law firms and industry).[25]

Other

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The WTI is a sponsor of the John H. Jackson Moot Court,[26] the Model WTO at the University of St.Gallen,[27] and a member of UNCTAD's Virtual Institute.

References

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  1. ^ a b "External Faculty". www.wti.org. University of Bern. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  2. ^ a b "In-House Faculty". www.wti.org. University of Bern. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  3. ^ "Schweizer Forscher gelten als Risiko". Berner Zeitung. 21 June 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  4. ^ "World Trade Institute | UIA Yearbook Profile | Union of International Associations". uia.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  5. ^ Cottier, T., I. Kölliker and J. Williams, eds. "World Trade Institute." in The Anthology of Swiss Legal Culture (International Law Series ed.). Zürich: Stämpfli Verlag AG, Bern. Retrieved 10 September 2018. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Cottier, T., I. Kölliker and J. Williams, eds. "Introduction." in The Anthology of Swiss Legal Culture (International Law Series ed.). Zürich: Stämpfli Verlag AG, Bern. Retrieved 10 September 2018. {{cite book}}: |last1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "Centers of excellence". www.unibe.ch. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  8. ^ "NCCR Trade Regulation". www.snf.ch. Swiss National Science Funds. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  9. ^ "NCCR Planets". www.snf.ch. Swiss National Science Foundation. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  10. ^ "NCCR Climate Variability, Predictability and Climate Risks". www.snf.ch. Swiss National Science Foundation. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  11. ^ "NCCR RNA & Disease". www.snf.ch. Swiss National Science Foundation. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  12. ^ "World Trade Forum 2018". globalgovernanceprogramme.eui.eu. European University Institute. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  13. ^ "20 Jahre WTO: Welthandel braucht neue Ansätze". Handelszeitung. 29 September 2015. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  14. ^ "The EFTA countries show how hard Brexit will be for Britain: Striking trade deals quickly is a bonus but what really matters is the quality of the deal". The Economist (print edition). 12 April 2017. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  15. ^ "Britain's best trade deals after Brexit, which trade deals should negotiators prioritise? More urgent than signing new deals is protecting old ones". The Economist (print edition). 8 February 2018. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  16. ^ Jing, Fu (21 April 2016). "Think-tank study supports China-EU free trade talks". China Daily. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  17. ^ "Swiss double tax treaties – a one-sided affair?". Swiss Info. 31 January 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2018.
  18. ^ "Felix Addor". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  19. ^ "Arthur E. Appleton". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  20. ^ "Luca Rubini". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  21. ^ "About Us | WTI". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  22. ^ a b "World Trade Institute: Studies". www.unibe.ch. University of Bern. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  23. ^ "Swiss Universities". www.swissuniversities.ch. Swissuniversities Association. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  24. ^ "Master Programmes | WTI". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  25. ^ "WTI Alumni". www.wti.org. University of Bern. Retrieved 24 October 2018.
  26. ^ "About Us | WTI". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.
  27. ^ "About Us | WTI". www.wti.org. Retrieved 2023-12-04.