F1ID 5035 - International Trade and Sustainable Development in Practice

The world is navigating a crest line between globalization and fragmentation with increasing inequalities and geopolitical tensions. International trade is at the heart of those tensions, both a source of hope (trade brings innovation, wealth and peace) and fears (race to the bottom, protectionism and subsidies, disruptions of value chains and access to essential materials). This course will explore the most recent trade and investment trends, including policy responses to the polycrisis born with COVID-19, and the role of international trade in a transition towards a more inclusive and sustainable development. Is trade a factor of integration or exclusion, globalization or decoupling? Could trade contribute to building a better world, facilitate the green transition, reduce the digital divide, promote solutions to protect global public goods (e.g. health, climate, democracy)?
Building on 20 years of field work with the World Bank and trade negotiations within WTO, OECD, G20 and G7, this course should enable students to challenge most preconceived ideas about trade and development that flourish in the media and elsewhere. It is particularly suited to students willing to work in development cooperation or sustainable business/finance, with concrete examples of trade development projects and business actions in support of sustainable development.

Learning Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. Better understand and have a critical perspective on major international economic issues pertaining to sustainable development and trade;
2. Better communicate a government or company position on contentious issues (from presentation of in-depth research to elevator pitch);
3. Better understand reality and practicalities of work in the area of development cooperation (in international organizations, government, or private companies trading in developing countries) and be better prepared for starting a career in international development / business CSR / sustainable finance

Professional Skills
Research and analysis; critical thinking; oral communication; written communication; team work

Olivier CATTANEO

Séminaire

English

- Attendance: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
- Online learning activities: 6 hours a semester
- Reading and Preparation for Class: 12 hours a semester
- Research and Preparation for Group Work: 48 hours a semester
- Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 48 hours a semester
- Other...: 12 hours a semester

None

Spring 2024-2025

• 1 group exposé (40% of final grade) – 10-20 ppt slides with notes / 10mn presentation
• 1 icebreaker (20% of final grade) – 1-2 pages of TPs / 3mn presentation
• 1 case story of a business activity with sustainable development impact (30% of final grade) – 4 pages / 5mn presentation
• Active participation in class (10% of final grade)

Feedback will be provided after each presentation.

A short presentation by the professor (30mn) will be followed by two exposés by individuals or groups of students (10mn each); two students will play the role of icebreakers (3mn) for a discussion with the rest of the class (60mn). The last two sessions should be combined and take place at OECD (logistics allowing), and will be dedicated to the presentation of case stories of business innovations for sustainable development. Feedback will be provided after each presentation.