1. ITC-ILO/ACTRAV Course A900996 Trade Union Training on International Trade Agreements, Development and Trade Union Agenda 22 October - 2 November 2007, Turin Course Orientation

2. Aims of This Orientation 1. To understand the background, objectives, contents & expected outputs of this training programme; 2. To confirm the timetable of this course & make fine-tuning to it, if necessary; 3. Agree on the role of participants.

3. Background  The world of work & development prospects of countries are changing due to – globalization & economic liberalization & international free trade agreements – bilateral as well as multilateral - that are being negotiated at present;  These policies are not only changing the role of state but are also bringing about structural changes in the economies that adversely impact the livelihoods, the working conditions & rights of the workers;  Unions need to fully understand the nature & consequences of the trade agreements and take informed actions at national and international levels in order to effectively protect and promote the rights and interests of the workers.

4. Objectives of the Course At the end of the course, the participants should be able to: Demonstrate understanding of the key issues of the international globalization debate, in particular those connected with international trade agreements; Demonstrate understanding of the key issues of the international globalization debate, in particular those connected with international trade agreements; Understand the role that international trade agreements play in their economies; Understand the role that international trade agreements play in their economies; Comprehend and inform other unions/unionists about the contents and implications of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements; Comprehend and inform other unions/unionists about the contents and implications of bilateral, regional and multilateral trade agreements;

5. Objectives of the Course Become acquainted with the WTO-ILO joint report, entitled “Trade and Employment: Challenges for Policy Research”, and develop a plan to raise decent work and core labour standards in the context of the WTO; Become acquainted with the WTO-ILO joint report, entitled “Trade and Employment: Challenges for Policy Research”, and develop a plan to raise decent work and core labour standards in the context of the WTO; Demonstrate understanding of how ILO policies and standards can assist in promoting fair globalization & Decent Work; Demonstrate understanding of how ILO policies and standards can assist in promoting fair globalization & Decent Work; Evolve the role that trade unions can play in influencing trade and globalization issues, both at national and international levels Evolve the role that trade unions can play in influencing trade and globalization issues, both at national and international levels Develop an action plan (including networking) to share experiences, initiatives for education, actions and solidarity; Develop an action plan (including networking) to share experiences, initiatives for education, actions and solidarity;

6. Key Issues to be discussed Globalization, Trade & Decent Work: Challenges for Trade Unions Globalization, Trade & Decent Work: Challenges for Trade Unions Labour Standards, FoA & Supervisory Machinery for promoting Workers Rights Labour Standards, FoA & Supervisory Machinery for promoting Workers Rights ILO/WTO study on trade and employment ILO/WTO study on trade and employment Doha issues at stake for trade unions (NAMA & Services) Doha issues at stake for trade unions (NAMA & Services) EPAs & Bilateral Trade Agreements EPAs & Bilateral Trade Agreements Introduction to WTO Introduction to WTO Study Visit to WTO, UNCTAD, ITUC & ACTRAV in Geneva Study Visit to WTO, UNCTAD, ITUC & ACTRAV in Geneva

7. Key Issues to be discussed Rules of International Trade & Dispute Settlement Rules of International Trade & Dispute Settlement Doha Round issues and state of play (WTO perspective) Doha Round issues and state of play (WTO perspective) Investment: TRIMS and Bilateral Investment Provisions Investment: TRIMS and Bilateral Investment Provisions Intellectual Property: TRIPS and IP provisions Intellectual Property: TRIPS and IP provisions International trade and Trade Union Action, including national responses International trade and Trade Union Action, including national responses Decent Work in Trade Agreements Decent Work in Trade Agreements Action Plan – participants contribution Action Plan – participants contribution

8. Main Outputs Expected Preparation of action plan(s) Preparation of action plan(s) Participants will design & develop a specific action plan incorporating some elements of the course subjects that can be implemented with a specific target group in local settings or together internationally. These plans will be used for evaluation purposes for any future follow-up seminar. Strengthening of Regional Network for action on Trade issues – to share experiences, news and promote campaigns on workers rights, sharing of information on developments at national level and for joint actions Strengthening of Regional Network for action on Trade issues – to share experiences, news and promote campaigns on workers rights, sharing of information on developments at national level and for joint actions … more on all this later

9. Evaluation End of the course evaluation End of the course evaluation Post-course evaluation to be conducted one year after the completion of the course Post-course evaluation to be conducted one year after the completion of the course Feedback is welcome on daily-basis

10. Role of Participants Be active & participative in all activities through out the course Be active & participative in all activities through out the course Be PUNCTUAL! – please….. Be PUNCTUAL! – please….. Form a 2 member Daily Report Team – to take notes, summarize major points & key issues of each training session – the team will change daily & will present the summary of previous day sessions - every day at 8.45 a.m. Form a 2 member Daily Report Team – to take notes, summarize major points & key issues of each training session – the team will change daily & will present the summary of previous day sessions - every day at 8.45 a.m. Generate ideas for action plan – group or individual Generate ideas for action plan – group or individual

11. * Any Questions?