World Trade Institute
The World Trade Institute is an interdisciplinary centre at the University of Bern focused on research, education, and policy support in the areas of global economic governance, international economic law, and international economic sustainability.
Overview
The institute was founded in 1999 as an inter-university centre of the University of Bern, the University of Fribourg, and the University of Neuchâtel. Since 2009, the WTI is one of the strategic “Centres of Excellence” within the University of Bern, with a global profile in both research and education. The Swiss National Science Foundation played an important role in the transformation of the WTI into a Swiss university centre of excellence through the SNSF funded National Competence Centre for Research on global economic governance. Other NCCR-based centers at the University of Bern include NCCR “PlanetS", NCCR “Climate”, and NCCR “RNA and Disease.” Together with the European University Institute, the WTI organizes the annual World Trade Forum.
Its research and impact assessments on the negotiation, structure, enforcement, and effects of international economic agreements feature in public policy debates. Notable faculty include Susan Ariel Aaronson, Kym Anderson, Manfred Elsig, Joseph Francois, Arancha Gonzalez, Peter Van den Bossche, and Mark Warner.Academics
Degrees earned at the WTI are awarded by the University of Bern, and are regulated under Swiss law governing higher education. Degree programs include a PhD program, a combined LL.M. and DAS program in International Trade and Investment Law and Economics, an MAS program in international trade regulation, and certificate and diploma programs in international law and economics. Alumni work for a mix of public sector organisations, non-governmental organisations, universities, and the private sector.
