World Trade affects all of us. It is part of our daily life. Goods are shipped around the globe and end up in our local supermarkets. Many jobs in Europe - and especially in Austria - depend on international trade. It is big business and involves all sectors of the economy. From agriculture to information technology.
Global challenges need international platforms to settle disputes and decide on rules and regulations. The World Trade Organization (WTO), an organization affiliated with the United Nations, was created to deal with frictions which arise when it comes to global trade in goods and
services.
As part of the world wide discussion on “Globalization” no other civil international organization provokes as many contradictory opinions as the WTO. Many hate it and attribute everything that is “bad” in today’s world to it. Others rely on its smooth working and unbiased dispute settlement.
Johannes STELZHAMMER,
Secretary General
WORLD TRADE INFORMATION INITIATIVE
Everybody seems to have an opinion on the WTO but only a few really know what it is all
about. Talking about World Trade and the blessings or curses caused by the WTO has turned into an emotional issue rather than one based on
facts.
The United Nations Youth and Student Association of Austria - Academic Forum for Foreign Affairs
(UNYSA-AUSTRIA-AFA) thinks that this should be changed. Therefore, we
discussed during the years 2006 and 2007 special issues related to World Trade and in particular on the WTO.
The UNYSA-AUSTRIA-AFA is politically independent and had good relations and fruitful discussions with all players
(from NGOs to the WTO itself).
The goal was to offer a neutral view on these issues to enable people to draw their own
conclusions.
The World Trade Information Initiative especially regularly participated at the
Civil Society Dialogue Meetings of the EU Commission, DG Trade, Brussels:
05/12/2007
State of Play of Regional EPA Negotiations
14/11/2007
State of Play of Regional EPA Negotiations and New Trade Contract for ACP in 2008
25/09/2007
Economic Partnership Agreements
Mr Karl Falkenberg, Deputy Director General for External Trade
Ms Isabelle Garzon, Deputy Head of Unit, DG Development
Ms Gisèle Lopes D'Almeida, President, Interface
19/06/2007
Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) of the EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements
Summary report on progress of the dissemination and stakeholder engagement process
02/03/2007
The New Market Access Strategy
26/01/2007
Trade Sustainability Impact Assessment (SIA) of the Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area
12/12/2006
How to Formulate Bilateral Trade Agreements that Help Deal with Global Challenges?
23/11/2006
General Meeting with the Commissioner Peter Mandelson - Trade and Competitiveness