2026 WTI - CWS JOINT ACADEMY ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW AND ECONOMIC POLICY

June 8 – July 3, 2026

The World Trade Institute of the University of Bern, Switzerland and the Centre for WTO Studies, Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, India are pleased to announce the launch of the XII EDITION of the WTI-CWS Joint Academy on International Trade Law and Economic Policy ("Joint Academy"), from June 8 – July 3, 2026 in New Delhi.Since its inception in 2014, the Joint Academy has provided law students and legal professionals in India a rare opportunity to deepen their knowledge on aspects of International Trade Law and Policy.The 2024 edition of the Joint Academy extended this exceptional opportunity to students and professionals in the field of economics.

The Joint Academy (Legal) is designed to span a comprehensive 4-week duration, while the Joint Academy (Economics) will span over a period of 2 weeks. Taught by distinguished academics and practitioners from India and abroad, the Joint Academy will equip participants with theoretical and practical insights into various issues relating to international trade law and policy.

The tentative list of resource persons* for the 2026 edition of the Joint Academy is as follows:

· Prof. Isabelle Van Damme (World Trade Institute)
· Prof. Peter Van den Bossche (Former Member of the WTO Appellate Body)
· Prof. Werner Zdouc (Former Director of the WTO Appellate Body Secretariat)
· Prof. Pierre Sauve (Former Senior Trade Specialist at World Bank Group)
· Prof. Em. Thomas Cottier (World Trade Institute)
· Mr. Abhijit Das (Independent Trade Policy and WTO Expert)
· Prof. Anirudh Shingal (SPJIMR)
· Ms. Vicky Chemutai (World Bank)
· Prof. Prabhash Ranjan (O.P. Jindal Global University)
· Ms Anuradha R.V. (Clarus Law Associates)
· Prof. James Nedumpara (Centre for Trade and Investment Law)
· Dr. Arthur E. Appleton (Appleton Luff International Lawyers)
· Prof. Krista Nadakavukaren Schefer (Swiss Institute of Comparative Law)
· Mr. Folkert Graafsma (VVGB Advocaten)
· Prof. Shailja Singh (O.P. Jindal Global University)
· Prof. Mukesh Bhatnagar (Former Professor, Centre for WTO Studies)

PARTICULARS FOR THE 2026 EDITION OF THE JOINT ACADEMY (Legal)

Dates: June 8 – July 3, 2026 (Four Weeks)

Mode: Physical (New Delhi)

Modules:

Week 1 - Essential of WTO Law and Policy; Introduction to Economics of Trade, Global Services Trade
Week 2 - Trade in Services; SPS & TBT; Trade & Sustainability
Week 3 - Trade & Security; Trade & IPR; Investment Law
Week 4 - Law and Policy of Trade Remedies; Agreement on Agriculture; Digital Trade

WHO CAN APPLY

All law students enrolled in any legal course in India, either at the undergraduate or postgraduate level. Preference will be given to students who have prior exposure to issues relating to International Trade Law.

The Joint Academy is also open to Indian legal professionals. In addition, legal professionals can attend specific modules, in a flexible, “à la carte” manner. This option is not available for students.

The maximum number of participants that will be selected for the Joint Academy is 30 (thirty). Past participants are kindly requested not to re-apply.

For more details, read the Joint Academy call for application.

To download the Application Form click here.

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