Introduction to digital trade regulation: Domestic policies, international agreements, and digitalisation of trade processes through blockchain

This interdisciplinary course is designed for policymakers, researchers, and businesses who want to develop a critical understanding of digital trade regulations across the globe. The rise of digital trade, which encompasses trade in ICT goods, digital services, investment in digital economy sectors, and data movement, represents a new reality that our society is adjusting to.

Regulating the digital revolution is proving exceptionally challenging, given also the pace at which it is evolving. The course will shed light on these issues by providing an introduction to the concept of digital trade and related regulations, highlighting the importance of informed policymaking decisions, including in the context of the recent negotiations of trade agreements.

Assessment methods and course diploma

To obtain the course diploma, the participant requires a score of 70% correct answers for each of
the four quizzes. Attendance of at least 3 out of 4 live sessions is required.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will:

• Describe the concepts of digital trade and digital trade integration.
• Experiment with key platforms presenting statistics and regulatory information related to digital
  trade;
• Outline different types of agreements related to digital trade.
• Examine the key topics discussed in trade agreements concerning digital trade and evaluate their
  relevance for digital trade.
• Describe key regulatory policies relevant to the digitalisation of trade processes.
• Interpret and critique the political economy forces behind digital trade regulations by examining
  various national and regional contexts.

Duration of the course and methodology

The course has four weekly modules with a total of 30 hours of training. Each module (of about 7.5 hours) includes pre-recorded video tutorials, readings, a 90-minute live session, and a final test with multiple-choice questions.

Participants can interact with the tutor and other participants through the online discussion forum and live sessions. The course uses the online platform Brightspace.

Timeframe

The course takes place from October 20th to November 9th. There will be a one-week break
between November 3rd and November 10th.

The live sessions take place each Thursday (October 23rd and 30th, and November 13th and 20th). The course platform remains open until December 10th, so participants can complete the assignments to obtain their diploma.

Course structure and calendar

• Module 1 (October 20th-26th): Introduction to digital trade. This module introduces the topic of digital trade. It provides definitions and global statistics in this new field of trade.
• Module 2 (October 26th-November 2nd): Digital trade integration policies. This module reviews the main regulatory policies that can impact digital trade integration, including policies that apply to ICT goods, online services, data, and investment in relevant sectors.
• Module 3 (November 10th-16th): Digital trade regulations in the context of trade agreements.
  This module presents digital trade regulations embedded in trade agreements, including plurilateral negotiations in the WTO and more recent cooperation frameworks such as the Digital Economy Agreements (DEAs).
• Module 4 (November 17th-23rd): Paperless trade and the role of blockchain. This module
  introduces emerging regional and global initiatives on paperless trade and the digitalisation of trade documents, with a focus on the role of new technologies such as blockchain.

Course registration

This course is free of charge, but registration is required (by October 13th):

• Register at the following link.
• Applications received after this date will not be considered in the selection process.