On 16th August-6th September 2019, LEDECO Centre Swiss (LEDECO) organized an in-depth “Study Tour for Global Vision and Multilateral Spirits” jointly with Tsinghua University (THU) of China. 18 students of bachelor, master and doctor level from THU, Donghua University (DHU) and Jilin University (JLU) of China participated in the study tour.

 

This study tour aimed to provide an opportunity for participants visit Geneva international organizations and Swiss institutions and enterprises to help them feel closely how international economic and trade governance operate and what role each international organization play and how local stakeholders, such as Swiss institutions and enterprises, can also contribute.

 

During the ten days, participants undertook four tailor-made modules:

1.Field visits to nine international organizations including the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the World Bank (WB), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Chinese Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

2.A series of intensified courses delivered by senior experienced professionals from international organizations including IPU, UNDP, ITC, UNAIDS and IFRC.

 

Lecturers include IPU’s Director of Foreign Relations and the former Permanent Ambassador of Romania to the UN Office at Geneva Anda Filip, UNDP’s Special Adviser Jan Kellet, the senior officials of ITC Emma Begag and Kritee Sharrma, senior consultant of UNAIDS Bechir N’Daw etc.

 

3.A simulation course of international trade negotiation delivered by Professor Xiankun LU

 

In the ITC, participants simulated an two-day long intensified text-based negotiation on special treatment for the Least-developed Countries (LDCs) in the WTO. They were divided into five groups, representing respectively China, Singapore, the United States, the LDCs and the Chair/Secretariat of the negotiating body. In the simulation, participants learned to prepare and submit negotiation proposals, organize formal and informal consultations, engage in text-based negotiations, etc.

 4.Visit to Domaine Alain Chollet

 

During their visit to Domaine Alain Chollet in Lavaux Switzerland, participants learned about the challenges Swiss wine industry, innovative spirit of Swiss enterprises, as well as how they are related to global trade and sustainable policies.

 

Annex: Programme of LEDECO and THU Joint Study Tour 2019

Visit to the IPU

Visit to the ILO

Visit to the UNDP Office at Geneva

Visit to the IFRC

Visit to the UNAIDS

Visit to the ITC

Visit to the WIPO

Visit to the WTO

Simulation Course by LEDECO: International Trade Negotiations

Visit to Alain Chollet