Title of the activity
Advanced Global e-Workshop on Government Procurement.
Activity Type
Virtual workshop - Global
Description
This Advanced Global e-Workshop on Government Procurement will address policy-related issues on government procurement both generally and as they relate to trade, good governance and development. Its main purpose is to familiarize participants with the objectives, content and benefits of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA 2012) and related policies.
The activity will be concerned both with trade as well as with the relevance of trade instruments to good governance, value for money, sustainable development. The synergies and complementarities between the GPA and other international instruments and with regional trade agreements will be examined. Relevant activities, initiatives and developments, such as sustainable procurement, SME participation in public procurement markets, e-procurement, and the role of government procurement in achieving desirable public health outcomes, will also be addressed. Furthermore, it will reflect upon the potential benefits, challenges and modalities of accession to, and participation in, the GPA 2012, and the flexibilities available to developing countries seeking accession to the Agreement.
The course will be comprised of 8 modules to be delivered over a period of 5 weeks (25 October to 26 November).
Audience:
This Workshop is intended for a global audience from government authorities having policy responsibility and/or a demonstrated background in trade and/or government procurement policy matters.
Participants will be selected out of the pool of applicants that fulfil the required criteria and are duly validated by their respective missions/embassies.
Participants will be required to contribute to the e-Workshop by watching to video recordings, reading selected background materials, completing quizzes as well as working in groups during the breakout session. Active participation in live events is also anticipated and encouraged. Selected participants would also be required to respond to specific questions related to their trade and procurement regimes and could be invited to present national/regional experiences, particularly during the breakout sessions.
Structure of the Workshop:
Taking into consideration the different time zones and that participants will be working, the e-Workshop is envisaged as a "blended training" with asynchronous (pre-recorded lectures, quiz(es)) and synchronous (e.g. webinars, live opening/closing and breakout sessions, virtual coffees) elements. As noted above, the e-Workshop will be comprised of 8 modules to be delivered over a period of 5 weeks (25 October to 26 November). Upon completion of the relevant module(s), participants will need to take quizzes. The submission of the quiz should automatically enable access to the subsequent module(s). Each module consists of:
• Pre-recorded video presentations by experts; and
• Graded quiz(es) (multiple-choice, 60% correct responses required to pass).
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive an electronic certificate. Evaluation will be based on the results of the quizzes.
Effective support is required for setting up the Virtual Classroom (Cornerstone) and running a help desk for participants; running the webinars on Zoom account; providing interpretation of live events and translation of the pre-recorded videos and other learning materials into French and Spanish; and preparing the certificates. Also, the customary logistic support regarding the required validations by Missions, updating and preparing the list of participants, etc. is required.
The activity will be concerned both with trade as well as with the relevance of trade instruments to good governance, value for money, sustainable development. The synergies and complementarities between the GPA and other international instruments and with regional trade agreements will be examined. Relevant activities, initiatives and developments, such as sustainable procurement, SME participation in public procurement markets, e-procurement, and the role of government procurement in achieving desirable public health outcomes, will also be addressed. Furthermore, it will reflect upon the potential benefits, challenges and modalities of accession to, and participation in, the GPA 2012, and the flexibilities available to developing countries seeking accession to the Agreement.
The course will be comprised of 8 modules to be delivered over a period of 5 weeks (25 October to 26 November).
Audience:
This Workshop is intended for a global audience from government authorities having policy responsibility and/or a demonstrated background in trade and/or government procurement policy matters.
Participants will be selected out of the pool of applicants that fulfil the required criteria and are duly validated by their respective missions/embassies.
Participants will be required to contribute to the e-Workshop by watching to video recordings, reading selected background materials, completing quizzes as well as working in groups during the breakout session. Active participation in live events is also anticipated and encouraged. Selected participants would also be required to respond to specific questions related to their trade and procurement regimes and could be invited to present national/regional experiences, particularly during the breakout sessions.
Structure of the Workshop:
Taking into consideration the different time zones and that participants will be working, the e-Workshop is envisaged as a "blended training" with asynchronous (pre-recorded lectures, quiz(es)) and synchronous (e.g. webinars, live opening/closing and breakout sessions, virtual coffees) elements. As noted above, the e-Workshop will be comprised of 8 modules to be delivered over a period of 5 weeks (25 October to 26 November). Upon completion of the relevant module(s), participants will need to take quizzes. The submission of the quiz should automatically enable access to the subsequent module(s). Each module consists of:
• Pre-recorded video presentations by experts; and
• Graded quiz(es) (multiple-choice, 60% correct responses required to pass).
Participants who successfully complete the course will receive an electronic certificate. Evaluation will be based on the results of the quizzes.
Effective support is required for setting up the Virtual Classroom (Cornerstone) and running a help desk for participants; running the webinars on Zoom account; providing interpretation of live events and translation of the pre-recorded videos and other learning materials into French and Spanish; and preparing the certificates. Also, the customary logistic support regarding the required validations by Missions, updating and preparing the list of participants, etc. is required.
Venue
Switzerland
Trade topic
Government Procurement
Start Date
End Date
Duration (days)
25
selection process
The application process consists of the following steps:
1. Interested candidates need to duly complete and submit the online application form, which is available at: https://wto.formstack.com/forms/2021_advanced_global_e_workshop_gp.
2. The online application form requires uploading a scanned copy of the passport and of the official nomination letter, signed and stamped by the competent government authority that is nominating the candidate. A template for such a letter to be signed and stamped by the national authority can be found in Annex 1 to this Invitation letter.
3. The application form, including the passport and nomination letter, should be submitted via the online application system NO LATER THAN 23 SEPTEMBER 2021.
4. Applications are to be validated by the Permanent Mission/Embassy to the WTO. Validations should be addressed by fax or email to the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (Fax No: +41 22 739 5724; Email: logistics.unit@wto.org) NO LATER THAN 23 SEPTEMBER 2021.
The WTO Secretariat reserves the right to postpone or cancel this activity in the event of force majeure, or for any reason that render the execution of the activity impracticable for the organizers
1. Interested candidates need to duly complete and submit the online application form, which is available at: https://wto.formstack.com/forms/2021_advanced_global_e_workshop_gp.
2. The online application form requires uploading a scanned copy of the passport and of the official nomination letter, signed and stamped by the competent government authority that is nominating the candidate. A template for such a letter to be signed and stamped by the national authority can be found in Annex 1 to this Invitation letter.
3. The application form, including the passport and nomination letter, should be submitted via the online application system NO LATER THAN 23 SEPTEMBER 2021.
4. Applications are to be validated by the Permanent Mission/Embassy to the WTO. Validations should be addressed by fax or email to the WTO Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation (Fax No: +41 22 739 5724; Email: logistics.unit@wto.org) NO LATER THAN 23 SEPTEMBER 2021.
The WTO Secretariat reserves the right to postpone or cancel this activity in the event of force majeure, or for any reason that render the execution of the activity impracticable for the organizers
Pre-requisite
The Governments of Members and Observers to the WTO, who are eligible to benefit from training and technical cooperation activities, are invited to nominate government officials to be considered to participate in the above activity. Ideally, it should include officials from your government's Trade Ministry and from your Ministry of Finance, Procurement Authority or other Ministry or Agency with policy responsibility in this area.
Preference will be given to nominees having policy responsibility and/or a demonstrated background in trade and/or government procurement policy matters. The organisers reserve the right to select candidates and to decline the candidature of nominees who do not meet these requirements and/or on the basis of the maximum number of participants. Excellent knowledge of one of the WTO official languages (English, French or Spanish) is also required.
Selected participants will be required to contribute to the e-Workshop by participating in live events, watching video recordings, reading selected background materials, completing quizzes as well as working in groups during the breakout session. Participants would also be expected to respond to specific questions related to their trade and procurement regimes and could be invited to share their national/regional experiences, particularly during the breakout sessions. E-Certificates will be awarded to participants who will successfully complete the quizzes.
Preference will be given to nominees having policy responsibility and/or a demonstrated background in trade and/or government procurement policy matters. The organisers reserve the right to select candidates and to decline the candidature of nominees who do not meet these requirements and/or on the basis of the maximum number of participants. Excellent knowledge of one of the WTO official languages (English, French or Spanish) is also required.
Selected participants will be required to contribute to the e-Workshop by participating in live events, watching video recordings, reading selected background materials, completing quizzes as well as working in groups during the breakout session. Participants would also be expected to respond to specific questions related to their trade and procurement regimes and could be invited to share their national/regional experiences, particularly during the breakout sessions. E-Certificates will be awarded to participants who will successfully complete the quizzes.
Target Audience
Government officials
Language
English
Key Result
1. Government officials are implementing WTO Agreements and fully realising Members' rights and obligations
Key Output
1.1: Government officials have enhanced knowledge about WTO Agreements, trade policy formulation and conduct of trade negotiations
Programme
Invited Members and Observers:
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain, Kingdom of
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia, Plurinational State of
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Cambodia
Cameroon
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Chinese Taipei
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Costa Rica
Côte dʼIvoire
Cuba
Curaçao
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Gabon
Georgia
Ghana
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong, China
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Israel
Jamaica
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Korea, Republic of
Kuwait, the State of
Kyrgyz Republic
Lao Peopleʼs Democratic Republic
Lebanese Republic
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Macao, China
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Moldova, Republic of
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Macedonia
Oman
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Russian Federation
Rwanda
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
Sao Tomé and Principe
Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Suriname
Syrian Arab Republic
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
The Gambia
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Türkiye
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Viet Nam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe