Ph.D. course

International Trade and Economic Development: Exploring the Linkages

Department of Economics
University of Copenhagen
6 – 16 June 2006

I. INTRODUCTION

The Department of Economics at the University of Copenhagen and its Development Economics Research Group (DERG) are organising an intensive two-week Ph.D. course on International Trade and Economic Development: Exploring the Linkages from 6 to 16 June 2006. This is the 9th course of its kind offered in Copenhagen since 1997.

In the recently concluded Hong Kong Ministerial meeting, WTO negotiators once again reaffirmed the focus on linkages between trade and development. This round of negotiations is referred to as the Doha Development Agenda. Trade facilitation, market access and export led growth are now considered high priorities by aid donor agencies such as USAID and the World Bank, reflecting a recent literature and popular perception arguing that there is a strong linkage between trade performance and economic development. NGOs such as Oxfam, who have been influential in shaping WTO positions of developing countries, have also called for “trade not aid” as a basis for development strategies. However, this literature is not without controversy, as opponents challenge the linkages upon which this development policy approach is based, question the quality of evidence in support of this linkage, and point out the need for domestic policy reforms if international trade is indeed to impact development outcomes.

Four aspects of literature on the relationship between trade and development will be explored in this course. First, CGE simulation model results will be considered, such as the famous World Bank projections concluding that $250 billion in benefits will accrue to developing countries from a successful WTO Doha round outcome. Methods used, empirical results obtained, and critiques of these projections will be explored toward examining lessons on the role of trade in development. Second, econometric evidence on linkages between trade and growth utilizing endogenous growth models will be reviewed, with emphasis both on methods employed and lessons learned. Third, specific mechanisms by which trade can enhance development will be examined, including technology spillovers, pro-competitive effects of trade liberalization, and foreign direct investment impacts. Finally, the implications of the work in this field for the impact of trade not only on economic growth, but also on poverty, will be explored.

During this course, a group of leading specialists in the field will give a coherent set of lectures about underlying theory, empirical results and policy lessons on the linkages between trade and economic development. Examples of ongoing research at the frontier of this active area of research will also be presented. A course outline, including a detailed list of topics to be covered, is provided below. The course will be open to approximately 25 participants.

The course is targeted towards researchers within the development economics environment in the Nordic countries, including in particular Ph.D. students admitted at Nordic economics institutions, independent of national and other background. However, interested practitioners with a relevant professional background from multi- and bilateral aid organizations and researchers from elsewhere are also welcome.

II. LECTURERS

The following lecturers will be teaching at the course (emails in parenthesis):

·         Philip C. Abbott, University of Copenhagen and Purdue University (philip.abbott@econ.ku.dk)

·         Tom Hertel, Global Trade Analysis Center, Purdue University, (hertel@purdue.edu)

·         Alan Winters, World Bank (lwinters@worldbank.org) 

·         Finn Tarp, University of Copenhagen (finn.tarp@econ.ku.dk)
 

III. COURSE OUTLINE

Each morning (M) and afternoon (A) session is scheduled to consist of two 45 minutes lectures with a 15 minutes break in between. Sessions will normally start at 9.15 am and 1.15 pm. Further information will be provided as we go along.

The venue of this Ph.D. course is The 'Bispetorvet' Building at the Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen.

A list of relevant readings will be prepared before the course, and all material, which cannot be downloaded from the web, will be made available in Copenhagen.

IV. COURSE CERTIFICATE/CREDITS

Active participation will be used as a basis for providing the participant with a course certificate.
No formal exam will be held.

V. COURSE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

The organisers of the course are:

Professor Finn Tarp, Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen.
E-mail: Finn.Tarp@econ.ku.dk
Telephone: (+45) 35 32 30 41, Fax: (+45) 35 32 30 85
Postal address: Studiestraede 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Visiting Professor Philip C. Abbott, Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen.
E-mail: Philip.Abbott@econ.ku.dk
Telephone: (+45) 35 32 44 05, Fax: (+45) 35 32 30 85
Postal address: Studiestraede 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Ms. Leise Kjer (administrator)
E-mail: Leise.Kjer@econ.ku.dk
Telephone: (+45) 35 32 44 03, Fax: (+45) 35 32 30 85
Postal address: Studiestraede 6, DK-1455 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

VI. REGISTRATiON AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR PARTICIPANTS

Those wishing to participate should fill out an application form as soon as possible. The application should be sent no later than 1 May 2006. Please also send a curriculum vitae and a description of research interests by e-mail to Leise Kjer. A final list of participants will be issued on 5 May 2006.

Assistance with booking accommodation in modest facilities will be available for Ph.D. students, and no course fee will be charged. However, financial assistance is generally not available to support student travel, accommodation and similar costs, except for Danish students under the Danish Graduate Programme in Economics. Limited funding is available for Nordic students through the Nordic Network in Economics (see http://www.hecer.fi/NNE/).  Should further information be required to help facilitate the funding process please do not hesitate to contact us.

Those wishing to participate must indicate in their application whether they wish assistance in making hotel reservation, clearly specifying name and duration of stay. Please direct all queries related to accommodation, transport etc. to Leise Kjer.