Consultative Seminar on Lebanon’s accession to the WTO-March 12, 2008

Seminar Synopsis and Agenda

The ‘Collective for Research and Training on Development – Action’, in collaboration with ‘Heinrich Boll Foundation’ organized a ‘Consultative Seminar on Lebanon’s Accession to WTO: a Strategy for Advocacy’ on March 12, 2008.

The seminar aimed at discussing challenges deriving from Lebanon’s accession to the WTO, as well identifying areas of advocacy and strategies to make sure this process benefits the largest segments of the population, including women will also be identified by participants.

The seminar was moderated by Ms. Mariarosaria Iorio – IGTN Geneva Office Director – and responsible for analysis and monitoring of WTO trade negotiations and their implications for gender relations.
Conclusion from the preliminary study she conducted on ‘Lebanon Accession to WTO: Highlights of critical issues” was presented and discussed with participants.

Objectives

1. The seminar on Lebanon’s accession to the WTO will discuss challenges deriving from Lebanon’s accession to the WTO.
2. Areas of advocacy and strategies to make sure that this process benefits the largest segments of the population, including women will also be identified by participants.

3. Program

9:30 - 10:00 Welcoming Remarks and objectives of the Seminar (CRTD.A, HBF & IGTN)

10:00 – 10:20 WTO: Objectives, basic principles and structure
10:20 - 11:00 Q&A

11.30-12.00 Impact of Trade Liberalization on women and gender relations
12.00-12.30 Q&A

12.30-13.00 Lebanon’s Accession to WTO setting the context for group discussions

14.00-15.00 Groups work on Lebanon and WTO

15.00-16.00 Presentation of strategies by the groups