The 2014 ATPC was shortened (from 12 to 8 weeks) and streamlined to focus on a case-based pedagogical methodology.  The course was delivered by an interactive and hands-on learning aimed at developing participants’ critical thinking and autonomy. 

Offered in the “generalists” path of WTO’s Progressive Learning Strategy, the new ATPC promotes transfer of skills through practice and examples of Members’ trade policy.  The focus is on legal and economic implications of WTO rules and disciplines, examined in a series of interactive sessions — case studies, simulations and exercises, hands-on use of WTO databases and analytical tools, and roundtable discussions to share experiences and best practices as well as to debate present-day trade topics.

H.E. Mr Michael Punke, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the United States to the WTO, who was a Patron of the first ATPC in 2014, congratulated participants for having successfully completed this course.  Underlining the importance of human and institutional capacity building, he noted that while this time participants had come to the WTO to learn, next time they would be coming as colleagues to work together on WTO matters. 

In his remarks during the closing ceremony, WTO’s Deputy Director-General, Mr Yonov Frederick Agah, emphasised that the main objective of the course was to ensure that participants return home as better trade policy analysts, able to better defend their national interests and to put in place policies that would contribute to a better functioning trading system both at the international and the national level.

Details of the course are provided in the Course Booklet and the final programme.