F1ID 5035 - International Trade and Sustainable Development in Practice

Globalization has been, for three decades, the main driver of growth in the world economy, lifting more than 1.5 billion of people out of poverty. Yet, since the COVID-19 crisis, the war in Ukraine, and elections that have brought nationalist parties to power, the resurgence of tariff wars, export restrictions, and other forms of protectionism have challenged the rules-based international trading system and export-led growth strategies. This course will review linkages between trade and sustainable development, weighing risks and benefits, and discuss potential implications of current geopolitical rivalries. It will explore, among others, questions pertaining to the sustainability and resilience of global value chains, the digital and environmental transitions, trade in services, the role of intellectual property, informality and quality of jobs. Building on more than 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:

• Better understand and have a critical perspective on major international economic issues pertaining to sustainable development and trade;
• Better communicate a government or company position on contentious issues (from presentation of in-depth research to elevator pitch);
• 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

None

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.

• 1 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)

• 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