CAS and DAS Programmes

WTO Law on Border Measures and Trade Facilitation
24 – 28 January 2022
Monday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: Anna Jerzewska and Roy Santana
ECTS: 3
Course description here
Syllabus here

WTO Law on Anti-Dumping and Safeguard Measures
31 January – 4 February 2022
Monday – Friday 10 am – 3 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: Fernando Piérola and Edwin Vermulst
ECTS: 3
Course description here
Syllabus here

WTO Law on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures
7 - 10 February 2022 (Take-home assessment on 11 February)
Monday – Friday 9 am – 4 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: James Flett and Luca Rubini
ECTS: 3
Course description here
Syllabus here

The Law and Policy of Trade in Services
14 - 17 February 2022 (Take-home assessment on 18 February)
Monday – Thursday 9 am – 4 pm (Central European time)
Lecturers: Pierre Sauvé and Jan Bohanes
ECTS: 3
Course description here
Syllabus here

Foundations of Trade Policy and Trade Policy Data
7 -10 June 2022
Lecturers : Patrick Tomberger, Manfred Elsig, Achim Vogt, Selina Hauser
Description: This course presents the theory of trade policy instruments (tariffs, preferential trade agreements, non-tariff measures, trade facilitation) and introduces the students to the use of the main international datasets covering those policy instruments.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Econometric Analysis of Trade Policy 
13 - 17 June 2022
Lecturers: Octavio Fernández-Amador, Achim Vogt, Irene Garcés Iriarte
Description: This course presents the main econometric framework to perform ex-post analysis of trade policies: the structural gravity model of trade. This model predicts bilateral trade flows based on size and distance between exporter and importer units, e.g. geographical, cultural and policy-related barriers to trade. The students are also introduced to the management of bilateral trade data and the main gravity variables.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Introduction to Input-Output and Applied General Equilibrium Models
20 - 24 June 2022
Lecturers: Patrick Tomberger, Hugo Rojas-Romagosa
Description: This course shows the use of input-output tables and social accounting matrices, which constitute the data basis for applied general equilibrium models. After that, students are introduced to the basics of computable general equilibrium models.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

The Proposed  EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM): its Legality, Effectiveness and Impact
20 - 24 June 2022
Lecturers: Peter Van den Bossche, Yuliia Kucheriava, Joseph Francois, Christian Häberli, Ilaria Espa, Nicolas Lockhart, Dominic Coppens and Manfred Elsig
Description: This course focuses on the European Commission’s proposal for a carbon border adjustment mechanism as it is currently being discussed in the European Parliament and by EU Member States. The course will discuss this proposal, possible amendments and alternatives from a legal, economic and international relations perspective. In a series of lectures and roundtable discussions involving policy makers, representatives of interest groups and academics from the EU and other WTO Members, the course will address the consistency of the CBAM proposal, possible amendments, and alternatives with the WTO and other international agreements. The course will also address the economic impact and effectiveness of the proposed CBAM as well as its effect on international efforts to address climate change.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Innovation and Intellectual Property Protection: Foundations and Challenges
20 - 24 June 2022
Lecturers: Thomas Cottier and Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property
Description: Intellectual property rights play an increasing role in international trade and the process of globalization and regionalization. Global value chains and division of labour strongly depends upon intellectual property protection which in turn also influences trade flows. The course expounds the fundamental principles of IP protection in the multilateral trading system of the WTO and preferential trade agreements. It offers and introduction to different forms of rights, scope of rights, and students are exposed to leading case law. It particularly focuses in a case study on the implications of patents on public health and pharmaceuticals in the developing world. The course offers an introduction into trademarks and geographical indications and explains the different modes of registration of intellectual property rights and research tools for patent and trademark landscaping.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Applied Trade Policy Modeling using Computational General Equilibrium Models
27 June - 1 July 2022
Lecturer: Eddy Bekkers
Description: This course covers how to model trade policy instruments in the framework of computational general equilibrium models. The course covers topics such as the structure of the main multi-country, multi-sector general equilibrium models specially designed for the analysis of trade, the definition of shocks, the calibration of the model, and how to read the results.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

WTO Law on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) & Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
27 June - 1 July 2022
Lecturers: Arthur Appleton and Christian Häberli
Description: This course builds on basic knowledge regarding GATT obligations and applies this knowledge to trade-related regulatory issues that affect operators along various value chains. These regulatory issues are of considerable interest to civil society. The classroom activities will focus on the policy space that Members have under the WTO Agreements on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) to regulate trade in goods, including the social and environmental implications. Based on participant interest in societal concerns, we will discuss trade and investment-related issues arising under the WTO and regional trade agreements (RTAs) including climate change mitigation, the pandemic and public health, food safety, consumer protection, child and forced labour, public morals, the protection of the environment, and similar issues. Particular attention will also be given to the needs of the business community – businesses thrive when government regulations are legitimate, transparent, and stable.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Intellectual Property and the Digital Economy
27 June - 1 July 2022
Lecturers: Thomas Cottier and Mira Burri
Description: This course is dedicated to exploring the relationship of international trade, intellectual property and competition law in the digital economy. Expounding the law of copyright and domain name protection, turns to new challenges in the field of competition law. New and unresolved issues of big data, data protection, artificial intelligence and IP protected technical standards are discussed, also in relation to the US-Sino trade war. The module also includes treatment of enforcing intellectual property rights which is particularly challenges in digital trade.
ECTS: 3
Syllbus here

More Agrifood Trade Governance  
4 - 8 July 2022
Lecturers: Ken Ash and Christian Häberli
Description: In this course we look at the history of, and the economic justification for, the rules in the Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) and related agreements. We then examine how these rules which were created in response to the agricultural policy landscape of the 1980's fit the current global context for food security, food safety, and climate change mitigation. In addition to participating in interactive lectures and exercises, participants will be invited to identify, and present, specific agriculture-related issues of their choice. In addition to the challenges mentioned above, topics could include sustainable development goals, “land grab”, human rights and gender issues, obesity and malnutrition, water allocation and wood scarcity, fish, biofuels and biotechnology. On the fourth day of the week, participants will lead a discussion on the selected topics highlighting the interaction between existing trade rules and policy space.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Latest Developments in International Investment Law and Dispute Settlement
11 - 15 July 2022
Lecturers: Michele Potestà, Krista Nadakavukaren and Rodrigo Polanco
Description: This course will examine the latest trends in the negotiation and implementation of international investment agreements (IIAs), placing them into their political economy and public policy context,  including issues such as the connection with poverty and the digital divide.
The sessions will devote particular attention to the criticism that the current investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) system is facing and the various reform efforts that States and other stakeholders are making to address such criticism. The course will in particular deal with the work of UNCITRAL Working Group III with respect to ISDS reform, including the proposals of tribunals, ad hoc and standing multilateral mechanism (multilateral advisory centre, stand-alone review or appellate mechanism, and standing first instance and appeal investment court, with full-time judges); arbitrators and adjudicators appointment methods and ethics (ISDS tribunal members' selection appointment and challenge, and code of conduct); treaty Parties' involvement and control mechanisms on treaty interpretation; cost management and related procedures (expedited procedures, and principles/guidelines on allocation of cost and security for cost); and third-party funding, as well as the possible mechanisms to implement the reform options. The course will also address the recent ICSID Rules amendments which have reformed the ICSID arbitration framework in a number of significant respects and which will come into effect in July 2022.
Additionally, the course will examine investor-State conflict management, as well as alternatives to replace it with other mechanisms, including the use of non-litigious means for addressing investor-State conflicts. It will also address issues of dispute prevention and mitigation, such as the strengthening of dispute settlement mechanisms other than arbitration (ombudsman, mediation).
Finally, this course will also analyse the latest developments of a possible future Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement as part of the joint statement initiative (JSI) at the WTO, as well as the investment facilitation provisions that have been already included in existing IIAs
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Trade and Sustainable Social Development 
11 - 15 July 2022
Lecturers: Damian Raess and Dora Sari
Description: This course focuses on trade, globalization and labor standards. It asks: Is globalization good or bad for labor standards in developing countries? Is the level of labor protection a curse or a blessing for economic development? How does the International Labor Organization incentivize or constrain its Members to comply with internationally recognized labor standards, and with what degree of success? To answer these questions, the course analyzes the effects of global governance tools such as preferential trade agreements, private regulation, and the ILO on compliance with labour standards and trade relationships. We relate the discussion of these issues to the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly SDG #8 on inclusive and sustainable growth and decent work for all.
ECTS: 3
Syllabus here

Requirements
For the CAS/DAS programmes, we accept applicants who have completed an undergraduate degree in law, economics, finance, commerce, international relations, or political science, or in an unrelated field when supplemented by relevant working experience. Participants are expected to have a strong command of written and spoken English and should be ready to read a large amount of material in English both prior to and during the courses. Students whose first language is not English are required to provide TOEFL or IELTS test results (see MILE Admission). Exceptions may be granted on further examination, particularly where students have obtained their previous degree from a programme conducted entirely in English.

For the CAS and DAS programmes, applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic ability and provide credible references bearing witness to their research abilities. They also should possess at least one year of professional experience in a related field (lawyer, diplomat, export industry representative, trade economist, civil servant, etc). Exceptions to this rule may be granted upon reviewing individual applications.

How to apply
Applying to the CAS and DAS programmes is straightforward:

1. Consult the course offering above and choose the courses you wish to follow.
2. Fill out the registration form (found on the right side of this page) and send it, together with a copy of your CV, a short biography and portrait photo (head and shoulders) of yourself to us by email:
   • Email address for CAS/DAS applications

*Information on courses will not be provided until the tuition fee has been paid.

Deadline
Applications are accepted until the maximum number of participants is reached. 

Cancellation policy
The following deadlines and penalties apply for persons who apply and have been accepted to the programme, but who subsequently withdraw:

• Cancellations 8 weeks before the course: the WTI refunds the tuition fee but deducts a 100 Swiss franc administration fee
• Cancellations 4 weeks before the course: the WTI refunds 70% of tuition fee
• Cancellations 2 weeks before the course: the WTI refunds 50% of tuition fee
• No show = no refund

Tuition fees are due prior to starting your course(s). Information on courses will not be provided until the tuition fee has been paid.

The CAS and DAS tuition fees do not cover costs such as meals, housing or local transportation.

Weekly Courses

Participants may join one or more course(s) as a weekly student and receive a Certificate of Attendance upon completion.

The tuition per week is 1,200 Swiss francs.

*Week-long WTI PhD courses also count towards meeting the requirements for a CAS or DAS.

Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)

Participants who earn 8 ECTS in course work and 4 ECTS by writing a research paper are awarded a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) in International Law and Economics.

The tuition fee for a CAS is 4,000 Swiss francs.

Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)

Participants who earn 22 ECTS in course work and 8 ECTS by writing a research paper are awarded a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in International Law and Economics.

The tuition fee for a DAS is 10,000 Swiss francs.

Financial aid
Special rates apply to students registered at the University of Bern.

A 50% tuition waiver is applicable to participants affiliated with the UNCTAD Virtual Institute (staff and students of university and think tank members, with proof of institutional affiliation and/or registration). For detailed information, please visit the UNCTAD VI website.

The WTI does not offer tuition waivers for CAS/DAS programmes or weekly courses. Financial aid, if needed, should be requested from other organisations or institutions.

Accommodation
Due to the high prices of hotel accommodation in Bern, it is highly recommended that you rent a room (double or single) in one of the student residences run by the Bernese Student Lodging Association. Please note that the WTI is not in a position to guarantee accommodation in Bern and cannot rent an apartment or other accommodation for you.

Important IT information
Participants registered for weekly courses à la carte or for CAS or DAS programmes will have access to the course syllabi and readings through the WTI online course management system.

Visas
Students need to apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country. The visa application process should be started as early as possible, as it can take several weeks for the Swiss immigration office to correspond with its Swiss embassies abroad. Citizens from EU and EEA countries do not require a visa.