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Transcript of Geneva-Paris ST Report 2009
Study Trip Report
of our visit to the International Organisations in Geneva and Paris
02nd
– 10th
May 2009
Export-Oriented Management
Export 2006
Hospitality kindly provided by:
DISCLAIMER
This study trip report contains information that is based on minutes taken by
students of IMC FH Krems and is intended as a summary of what has been
said and discussed during the meetings at the International Organisations
that were visited. The reader is cautioned that these minutes
may be subject to errors stemming from misunderstandings or
misperceptions on the part of the students.
Therefore, any quotation from this text is discouraged.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
At this point we would like to acknowledge all the people who made this unique study trip,
which no other university in Austria has ever conducted, possible. First and foremost, we
would like to express our gratitude to Prof. Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic, Chairperson for
International Law and Global Political Studies at the IMC University of Applied Sciences
Krems. Besides many in-house visits of speakers from all over the world, and several visits
to all relevant organisations in Vienna (UN, OSCE, EC) he initiated and organized this
special event for the 4th
consecutive time. We do deeply appreciate all the time and effort
Prof. Bajrektarevic invested throughout the past months. Without his personal reputation
and contacts, none of us would have had the chance to benefit from such a diverse and
highly informative programme.
Secondly, we are very grateful for the work of the organisation team – Natalie Plewa,
Anton Werner and Markus Traxler – both prior to and during the study trip. Smajo Pasalic
– class representative of Export 2006 – deserves to be given special credit as well, as he
not only generated a significant amount from the Austrian Students Union, but also
brokered access to the special funds of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and
Research.
Due tribute goes likewise to each and every organizer and speaker of all visited Geneva
and Paris entities and International Organisations. Moreover, we thank Ms. Cristina
Kokkinakis, Deputy Mission Head, and H.E. Ambassador Helene Steinhäusl for the warm
welcome, as well as Dr. Fischler for his surprise visit in Paris. To conclude with, we would
also like to express our gratitude to all the sponsors for their support, be it financial or in
kind.
We also thank Weingut Müllner, Printshop Krems and Dr. Lothar Hofmann.
Thank you all for your
kind support!
TABLE OF CONTENT
1 Introduction 1
2 Timetable 3
3 Destinations 7
3.1 Geneva 7
3.2 Paris 9
4 Monday, May 4th 2009 10
4.1 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) 10
4.1.1 General Information 10
4.1.2 History 11
4.1.3 Functions 13
4.1.4 Decision Making Bodies 13
4.1.4.1 The Conference 13
4.1.4.2 Trade and Development Board 13
4.1.5 Creative Economy 14
4.1.6 UNCTAD XI 17
4.1.7 Question & Answer Session 17
4.1.8 Internship Opportunities 18
4.2 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) 19
4.2.1 The Organisation and its Purpose 19
4.2.2 The History of the UNECE 20
4.2.3 Programmes of the UNECE 21
4.2.3.1 Environmental Policy 21
4.2.3.2 Housing and Land Management 21
4.2.3.3 Statistics 21
4.2.3.4 Sustainable Energy 22
4.2.3.5 Trade 22
4.2.3.6 Economic Cooperation and Integration 22
4.2.3.7 Timber 22
4.2.3.8 Transport 23
4.2.3.9 Technical Cooperation 23
4.2.4 Internship Opportunities 23
4.3 United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) 24
4.4 International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) 27
4.4.1 History 27
4.4.2 Structure of the ICRC 28
4.4.3 Mandate and Mission of the ICRC 29
4.4.4 Activities of the ICRC 29
4.4.5 Museum of the ICRC in Geneva 30
4.4.6 Internship/Employment Opportunities 32
4.5 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) 34
4.5.1 Historical Development 34
4.5.2 Core Tasks and Aims 34
4.5.3 Decision Making Bodies 36
4.5.4 Question & Answer Session 38
4.5.5 Internship Opportunities 39
5 Tuesday, May 5th 2009 40
5.1 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) 40
5.1.1 Historical Background 40
5.1.2 Mission & Main Activities 41
5.1.3 Legal Framework 42
5.1.4 Membership 42
5.1.5 Decision Making Bodies and Process 42
5.1.6 Presentation and Discussion 43
5.1.7 Internship Opportunities 45
5.2 International Labour Organisation (ILO) 46
5.2.1 The Organisation 46
5.2.2 History 47
5.2.3 Structure 48
5.2.4 Scope of Work 49
5.2.5 Question & Answer Session 50
5.3 Special Action Program to Combat Forced Labour 51
5.3.1 Forced Labour and Human Trafficking 51
5.3.2 Key Figures 51
5.3.3 ILO‟s Strategies to Combat Forced Labour 52
5.3.4 The Challenges Ahead 53
5.3.5 Question & Answer Session 54
5.3.6 Internship Opportunities 55
5.4 Austrian Mission to the International Organisations in Geneva 56
5.4.1 Introduction 56
5.4.2 Tasks of the Austrian Mission in Geneva 58
5.4.3 Briefing on the New Influenza 58
5.4.4 Representing Austria at the World Trade Organization 59
5.4.5 Thematic Focus on Human Rights 61
5.4.6 Humanitarian Affairs 62
5.4.7 Internship Opportunities 64
5.4.8 Reception 65
6 Wednesday, May 6th 2009 67
6.1 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) 67
6.1.1 History 68
6.1.2 General Overview 68
6.1.3 Aims 69
6.1.4 Organisation 69
6.1.4.1 The Council 69
6.1.4.2 Committees 69
6.1.4.3 The Secretariat 70
6.1.5 Question & Answer Session 70
6.1.6 Internship Opportunities 70
6.2 Permanent Delegation of Austria to the OECD 71
6.2.1 Role and Responsibilities of the Austrian Mission 71
6.2.2 Question & Answer Session 71
6.2.3 Internship Opportunities 72
6.3 International Energy Agency (IEA) 73
6.3.1 General Information 73
6.3.2 Key Areas of Work 75
6.3.3 Future Trends 75
6.3.4 Question & Answer Session 77
6.3.5 Internship Opportunities 78
7 Thursday, May 7th 2009 79
7.1 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) 79
7.1.1 The ICC and the Department of Policy and Business Practice 80
7.1.1.1 Question & Answer Session 82
7.1.2 ICC International Court of Arbitration, Secretariat & Arbitration Rules 82
7.1.3 ADR, Expertise and Dispute Boards 83
7.1.3.1 Question & Answer Session 84
7.1.4 ICC Events Department and ICC Institute of World Business Law 84
7.1.5 Presentation of the World Chambers Federation (WCF) 85
7.1.5.1 Question & Answer Session 87
7.1.6 Internship Opportunities 87
7.2 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) 87
7.2.1 History 89
7.2.2 Fields of Activities 89
7.2.2.1 Education 90
7.2.2.2 Natural Sciences 90
7.2.2.3 Social and Human Sciences 90
7.2.2.4 Culture 90
7.2.2.5 Communication and Information 90
7.2.3 The Millennium Development Goals and Water 90
7.2.4 Governing Bodies 91
7.2.4.1 General Conference 91
7.2.4.2 The Executive Board 91
7.2.5 Permanent Delegation of Austria to the UNESCO 92
7.2.6 Austria‟s Presence in UNESCO Bodies: 92
7.2.7 Internship Opportunities 93
8 Friday, May 8th 2009 (Organizations Planned but not Visited) 95
8.1 The World Bank Group (WB) 95
8.1.1 The Structure of the World Bank Group 95
8.1.2 Organisation 96
8.1.3 Millennium Development Goals (to be Achieved by 2015) 96
8.1.4 Decision Making Authority 96
8.1.4.1 President of the World Bank 96
8.1.4.2 Board of Executive Directors 97
8.1.4.3 Board of Governors 97
8.1.5 Roles 97
8.1.5.1 The World Bank as a Lender 97
8.1.5.2 The World Bank as a Knowledge Broker 98
8.1.5.3 The World Bank as a Gatekeeper to Development Finance 98
8.1.6 Lending Instruments 98
8.1.6.1 Investment Loans 98
8.1.6.2 Adjustment Lending and other Non-Project Lending 99
8.1.7 World Bank Guarantees 99
8.1.8 The Structure of the World Bank Group 99
8.1.8.1 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development 99
8.1.8.2 International Development Association 100
8.1.9 International Finance Corporation (IFC) 100
8.1.10 Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) 101
8.1.11 International Centre for Settlement for Investment Disputes (ICSID) 101
8.1.12 Project Cycle 102
8.2 L‟Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie 103
8.2.1 History and Member Countries 103
8.2.2 Scope of Work 103
8.2.3 Decision Making Process and Organisation 104
8.2.3.1 Francophone Summit 104
8.2.3.2 Ministerial Conference 104
8.2.3.3 Permanent Council 105
8.2.3.4 Secretary General and Administrator 105
8.2.3.5 Admission Criteria 105
9 Diaries 106
9.1 Saturday, May 02nd 2009 & Sunday, May 03rd 2009 106
9.2 Monday, May 4th 2009 109
9.3 Tuesday, May 5th 2009 112
9.4 Wednesday, May 6th 2009 115
9.5 Thursday, May 7th 2009 118
9.6 Friday May 8th 2009 121
9.7 Saturday, May 9th 2009 125
10 Conclusion 128
11 Personal Comments 129
12 Contact Information 133
13 Timetable of Former Study Trips 135
14 Credits 142
Study Trip Report 2009
1
1 INTRODUCTION
In the course of the study programme “Export-Oriented Management” at the IMC
University of Applied Sciences Krems, it is an integral part to gain knowledge about
International Organisations and their respective mandates. However, having the chance to
expand this theoretical knowledge acquired in class and visiting these institutions as well
as getting to know more about their field of operations on-site is something that no one of
us would have expected in fall 2006, when we took on the challenge to study at the IMC.
In our fifth semester, our Professor and Chairperson for International Law and Global
Political Studies, Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic, informed us about the opportunity of this unique
study trip that should take place in the course of our International Strategies and Relations
class in the sixth semester. Consequently, Dr. Bajrektarevic, who arranged speakers and
worked out the substantive part of the program, as well as our organizational team, which
was mandated by students to carry out the technical part, hurled themselves into months of
preparation work, arranging an event that no other Austrian university has ever organized
comparably. Thanks to them, we could enjoy a diversified and very interesting programme
at a price affordable for each and every student.
Being the fourth generation of IMC students going to Geneva and Paris, but in fact the first
generation of IMC “Export-Oriented Bachelors”, we were even more grateful to manage
squeezing this study trip into the tight schedule of our concluding semester. On May 2nd
2009, right after handing in our Bachelor‟s theses and before taking our final exams, our
Study Trip Report 2009
2
group of 67 students of the sixth semester as well as three exchange students and one
student from out partner university KROK of Ukraine, who was invited by us to join us as
our guest, finally left Krems, heading towards our neighbouring country Switzerland and
the city of Geneva. What followed was a week full of new experiences and contacts that
were established, strengthening our sense of community like no team building event could
have ever done. This report provides a summary of our exciting study trip to Geneva and
Paris, including an overview of all the organizations that have been visited as well as some
enjoyable personal impressions and pictures.
Study Trip Report 2009
3
2 TIMETABLE
TIME INSTITUTION TOPIC SPEAKER
Monday, 04th
May 2009 (Geneva)
09:30-10:30
UNCTAD (United
Nations Conference
on Trade and
Development)
Introduction to
UNCTAD and briefing
on “Creative
Industries”
Ms. Edna Dos
Santos, Senior
Economic Affairs
Officer
10:30-11:30
UNECE (United
Nations Economic
Commission for
Europe)
Scope and work
Mr. Jean
Rodriguez, Senior
Public Information
Officer, Office of
the Executive
Secretary
11:30-12:45
UNOG (United
Nations Office at
Geneva)
Guided tour through
the facilities
01:45-02:45
ICRC (Museum of
International Red
Cross)
Tour through the
museum
03:15-04:30
WIPO (World
Intellectual Property
Organization)
General overview of
the history, structure
and activities of the
Organisation
Ms. Cathy Jewal,
Senior Information
Officer, Media
Relations and
Public Affairs
Section
Tuesday, 05th
May 2009 (Geneva)
09:00-10:45
ITU (International
Telecommunication
Union)
History, structure &
activities of the
Organization
Ms. Cristina Bueti,
Corporate Strategy
Division
11:00-12:00 ILO (International Introduction to the Mr. Hans von
Study Trip Report 2009
4
Labour
Organization)
Organization and
activities of ILO
Rohland, Senior
Information
Officer
12:00-01:00
ILO Special Action
Program to combat
Forced Labour
Forced Labour and
Human Trafficking
Ms. Caroline
O‟Reilly,
Associate Expert
Ms. Udine Gröger,
Technical
Cooperation and
Research
03:00-05:30
Austrian Mission to
the International
Organizations in
Geneva
Mission Briefing
(Disarmament, CERN,
WTO, WHO, Human
Rights, Humanitarian
and Development
Affairs, ECE,
UNCTAD)
Ms. Christina
Kokkinakis,
Deputy Head of
Mission
Ms. Brigitte Lüth,
Attaché
Ms. Eva Schöfer,
First Secretary
Ms. Julia Wimmer,
Intern
Dr. Helmut Friza,
Minister
Plenipotentiary
Dr. Zehetner, First
Secretary
05:30-07:00
Austrian Mission to
the International
Organizations in
Geneva
Reception
Ms. Christina
Kokkinakis,
Deputy Head of
Mission
Wednesday, 06th
May 2009 (Paris)
03:00-03:10
OECD
(Organization for
Economic Co-
Operation and
Development)
Welcome by H.E. Dr.
Franz Fischler
H.E. Dr. Franz
Fischler, former
Minister and the
EU Commissioner
for Agriculture
03:10-04:15
Permanent
Delegation of Austria
to the OECD
(Organization for
OECD and the role of
Austrian delegation at
the OECD
Mr. Christoph
Mayer, Attaché,
Austrian
Delegation to the
Study Trip Report 2009
5
Economic Co-
Operation and
Development)
OECD
04:15-05:30 IEA (International
Energy Agency)
IEA – An Overview
(incl. Qs & As Period)
Ms. Rebecca
Gaghen, Head,
Communication
and Information
Office (IEA)
Thursday, 07th
May 2009 (Paris)
10:00-10:30
ICC (International
Chamber of
Commerce)
ICC and the
Department of Policy
and Business Practice
Emily O‟Connor,
Senior Policy
Manager,
Commercial Law
and Practice
10:30-11:00
ICC (International
Chamber of
Commerce)
ICC International Court
of Arbitration, its
Secretariat and the ICC
Arbitration Rules
Loïc Coutelier,
Deputy Counsel at
the ICC
International
Court of
Arbitration
11:00-11:30 ADR, Expertise and
Dispute Boards
Mathilde Vital-
Durand, Lawyer,
ADR-Expertise-
Dispute Boards,
ICC Dispute
Resolution
Services
11:30-12:00
ICC Events
Department, ICC
Institute of World
Business Law
Katharine Bernet,
Project
Coordinator, ICC
Events
12:00-12:30
World Chambers
Federation (WCF)
Jérôme Auchère,
Coordinator, Trade
Doc ICC WCF
Study Trip Report 2009
6
02:30-03:00
UNESCO (United
Nations Educational
Scientific and
Cultural
Organization)
Scope and Work of
UNESCO
Dr. Alexander
Schischlik, Chief
of Executive
Office, Chief of the
Section for the
Coordination of
Information and
Publications,
Supervisor of the
Unit for
Publications of the
Section
03:00-04:00 UNESCO Mission
Briefing
The Role of the
Austrian Delegation to
the UNESCO
H.E. Amb. Helene
Steinhäusl,
Ambassador,
Alternate
Permanent
Delegate
04:00-04:45 UNESCO Tour-de-exhibition &
UNESCO Movie
06:00-07:30 Austrian Embassy Reception
H.E. Amb. Helene
Steinhäusl,
Ambassador,
Alternate
Permanent
Delegate
Friday, 08th
May 2009 (Paris)
Public Holiday
Study Trip Report 2009
7
3 DESTINATIONS
3.1 Geneva
Geneva is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland after Zürich. Situated where the
Rhône River exits the Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva.
This city has a population of 186,825 with its
metropolitan area having 812,000 inhabitants,
which extends partly over Switzerland and
France. Generally Geneva is considered to be
one of the most qualified global cities in the
world.
Geneva is a worldwide centre for diplomacy
and international cooperation, furthermore it is widely regard as one of the most important
major global cities, mainly due to the fact that it inhabits numerous international
organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations
(such as WHO, ILO, ITU, WIPO etc.), the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and so on. Moreover the well-known
Geneva Conventions were signed here, which regulate the treatment of wartime non-
combatants and prisoners of war.
Geneva has been described as the world‟s sixth most important financial centre by the
Global Financial Centres Index, ahead of other financial strongholds such as Tokyo,
Chicago, Frankfurt and Sydney; besides that it
hosts several headquarters of big multinational
companies including HP, Procter& Gamble, Sun
Microsystems, DuPont and many others.
The Jet d‟Eau - a large fountain that jets water up
to 140 meters is one of the city‟s most famous
landmarks and one of the largest fountains
worldwide. The beautiful natural environment
along with safe social surroundings, friendly and
helpful inhabitants, countless leisure activities and
convenient public services, all contribute to what a
survey conducted by Mercer in 2009 found out
Study Trip Report 2009
8
about Geneva: Geneva has the third-highest quality of life in the world. The “Peace
Capital” and “the world‟s most compact metropolis” are often synonyms that are referred
to Geneva.
Geneva is also a famous scenic hotspot with a lot of showplaces including the very famous
Cathédrale St Pierre, Geneva Grand Theatre, University of Geneva, The Graduate Institute
of International and Development Studies (one of the first academic institutions to teach
international relations in the world) and CERN, the world largest particle physics
laboratory to which scientist from around the world travel to in order to conduct research
and exploration on fundamental forces and antimatters that lead to the creation of the
universe.
In modern Shopping areas in downtown, traditional Souvenirs such as original Swiss
handmade craftworks, Swiss Watches (Patek Philippe, Rolex, Omega etc.), Swiss Army
Knives (Victorinox, Wenger), typical Swiss Cheese (Emmentaler, Tilsiter, Gruyère) and
Swiss Chocolates (Lindt, Tobler, Nestlé) are eagerly bought by foreign tourists since the
mentioned above are the most famous Swiss products known to the world‟s general public.
Study Trip Report 2009
9
3.2 Paris
Paris, the capital of France and the capital of
Love, is not only one of the most preferred tourist
destinations worldwide, one of the world's
leading business and cultural centers, but also a
major centre of economic activity. Its influence in politics, education, entertainment,
media, fashion, science and art, all contribute to its status as one of the world's major
global cities.
Regarding to the International Organizations, the International Energy Agency (IEA), the
Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Chamber
of Commerce (ICC) and the Paris Club are all located in Paris, which once again proves
that Paris is one of the most important economical and political window to the world.
The Paris Region also hosts 37 of the Fortune
Global 500 companies in several business
districts, notably La Défense, the largest
purpose-built business district in Europe.
According to 2005 estimates, the Paris urban
area is Europe's biggest city economy and the
fifth in the world's. The international
importance of Paris and France in this respect
is underlined by the fact that French is the
official language of diplomats as well as one
of the working languages in most International Organizations.
Paris is situated on the River Seine with 45 million tourists every year in the Paris Region,
60% of whom are foreign visitors. Paris is proud to offer its famous historic sites, such as
the NOTRE-Dame, the Victory Gate, La Tour Eiffel, and so on. Beside this, as one of the
most famous shopping streets in the world, the
Avenue des Champs-Élysées attracts tens of
millions of tourists from all over the world. With
its long history, great culture and beautiful
environment, Paris is becoming a more and more
charming city for many people and an important
international centre of the world.
Study Trip Report 2009
10
4 MONDAY, MAY 4TH
2009
4.1 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD)
Date: Monday, May 4th
2009
Time: 09:30 am – 10:30 am
Topic: UNCTAD – Mandate, role and activities of the Organisation
Briefing on “Creative Industries”
Speaker: Ms. Edna dos Santos, Senior Economic Affairs Officer & Chief, Creative
Economy & Industries Programme UNCTAD
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
4.1.1 General Information
The United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD) was founded in
1964 as growing concerns about the place of
developing countries in international trade led
many of these countries to call for the
convening of a full-fledged conference
identifying appropriate international action.
The conference is the subsidiary organ of the
United Nations General Assembly and was established with the main aim to maximize
trade and to assist least developed countries in their efforts to integrate into the world
economy.
Our first official day in Geneva took us straight to
the amazing Palais de Nation, where students
already were awaited by our first speaker, Edna
dos Santos, Chief of Creative Economy and
Industries Program. Passing through the security
checks, we received a very warm welcome and
had the pleasure to listen to Ms. Santos in one of the impressive conference rooms.
Study Trip Report 2009
11
Ms. Santos started her presentation by giving us students a comprehensive overview and
insight to the work of UNCTAD. The organisation serves as a permanent
intergovernmental body and composes 193 Member States. UNCTAD was established in
1964 as an organ of the United Nations General Assembly and is the only body of the UN
system that deals with all aspects of trade, investment and development.
Its headquarters is located in Geneva, whereas Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi from Thailand
began his four year term as Secretary-General of UNCTAD on September 1st 2005.
The main goal of the organisation is to increase trade, investment and development in
developing countries and to help them in their way to integrate in the world economy. With
its 400 staff members it helps developing countries to make the most of trade, investment
and development opportunities and assists at the same time in their trade negotiations. One
of the main concerns of UNCTAD is to contribute effectively to the reduction of poverty,
whereas Ms. Santos clearly pointed out that UNCTAD assists in technical cooperation but
does not finance any project.
To reach these goals, the organisation pursue three key functions, which are undertaking
research, policy analysis, data collection, and serves at the same time as a forum for
intergovernmental deliberations and discussions on domestic policies, international actions
and current policy debates. The aim is to reach a mutual consensus concerning a
sustainable development whereas the conference plays a key role in identifying the role of
the United Nations and UNCTAD in addressing economic development problems.
4.1.2 History
As concerns about the position in international trade and integration of developing
countries became a major issue in the 1960‟s, the need for an international conference in
Study Trip Report 2009
12
order to tackle against these problems and finding strategies and solutions to enhance the
situation was growing. Discussing these topics and giving prior importance to the
improvement of the situation and taking adequate actions, the first United Nations
Conference on Trade and Development was held in 1964 in Geneva. Since then, the
conference meets on a four year basis in order to encourage coherence between national
development strategies and global economic processes towards economic growth and
development in developing countries.
At the very beginning of its operation UNCTAD created an intergovernmental forum for
North-South dialogue and executed negotiations which were of high importance for
developing countries including debates on the “New International Economic Order”.
This time several agreements were brought into consideration and later adopted. One,
beyond many others, was the “Generalized System of Preferences” in 1968, where
improved market access to exports from developing countries was granted. Further
implemented actions were price stabilization of export products, maintaining national
merchant fleet and “Trade and Competition Policies”. In addition, UNCTAD identified the
Group of Least Developed Countries (LDC‟s) with the objective to tackle against current
problems and trying to fulfil their needs.
In the 80‟s, a change in economic thinking took place, meaning that economic
interdependence increased and present development strategies were focused on trade
liberalization and became more market-oriented. This decade has been also known as the
“lost decade” due to the fact that many developing countries were dominated by several
debt crises, whereas Latin America was most affected. Several trade rounds were held in
order to combat the problem whereas UNCTAD provided technical assistance as well as
debts were rescheduled in the Paris Club negotiations.
Within the last recent years, many developments were successfully achieved and
completed. Due to the financial inflows during the crises, an increasing stability was
obtained and foreign direct investment flows became a major component of globalization.
Another major outcome was the establishment of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in
1995 which was the outcome of the Uruguay Round under the General Agreement on
Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Further progress was seen in the extended analytical research
and work on international investment issues and the diversification of its technical
assistance.
Study Trip Report 2009
13
4.1.3 Functions
Over 40 years, UNCTAD is
working on the promotion of
current concerns of developing
countries with the main aim to
foster their economic growth.
Main priority is given to the
assistance to developing countries
in trade negotiations as well as
promoting the diversification of
production and trade structures in
order to implement new policies
by governments.
Further, the organisation offers capacity-building seminars, encouraging developing
countries to participate more actively in international investment rule making at regional
and multilateral levels. Another main concern of UNCTAD is the better integration of
Africa in the world economy, enhanced by providing analytical work aimed to produce a
comprehensive understanding of problems by African countries in their development
progress.
Furthermore, Ms. Santos mentioned UNCTAD‟s main publications, such as the Trade and
Development Report, the World Investment Report, LDCs Report and the Africa Report
beyond many others, are available on the UNCTAD website. Coming to a conclusion,
UNCTAD is facing macroeconomic and development policy challenges and plays an
important part in the international monetary and financial system.
4.1.4 Decision Making Bodies
4.1.4.1 The Conference
The so-called quadrennial conference is the highest decision making body of UNCTAD
with the member states participating in order to make assessment for trade and
development issues. Policy strategies are discussed and the work of the conference is laid
out.
4.1.4.2 Trade and Development Board
The Trade and Development Board plays a key role between the four years and serves as a
guiding function to the conference until they meet the next time. The Boards meets in
Study Trip Report 2009
14
Geneva in regular sessions up to three times a year and dispose over three commissions
which allow governments to exchange opinion on policy issues in their respective division.
• The Commission on Trade in Goods and Services, and Commodities
• The Commission on Investment, Technology and Related Financial Issues
• The Commission Enterprise, Business Facilitation and Development
In addition, the work of the commissions is supported by specialized technical experts with
up to ten regular Export Meetings per year. Ensuring equal treatment to all developing
countries, all member states are given an equal vote which can make the decision making
sometimes very lasting.
4.1.5 Creative Economy
After the very interesting and informative introduction to UNCTAD‟s scope of work, Ms.
Santos followed her presentation with the part concerning the Creative Economy. As Ms.
Santos is the Chief of the Creative Economy, we got a really good insight how the creative
economy achieves to generate income and jobs while promoting social inclusion, cultural
diversity and human development among the world. The overall concept is based on
creative assets and intellectual capital, generating socio-economic growth, employment
and trade in most advanced countries. Further, it is part of diversified development option
calling for innovative multi-disciplinary policy responses and inter-ministerial actions.
The presentation started with an overall introduction to the Creative Economy Report
2008. The Report includes the following chapters which were explained individually by
Ms. Santos during her presentation.
• Chapter I: Concept and context of the creative economy
• Chapter II: The development dimension
• Chapter III: Analysing the creative economy
• Chapter IV: Towards evidence-based assessment of the creative economy
• Chapter V: International trade in creative goods and services
• Chapter VI: The role of intellectual property rights and the creative economy
• Chapter VII: Technology, connectivity and the creative economy
• Chapter VIII: Policy strategies for the creative industries
• Chapter IX: The international policy framework for creative economies
• Chapter X: Lessons learned and policy options
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Ms. Santos gave us a really good introduction to the individual chapter and explained their
main purpose and scope of work.
She further outlined the jointly agreed classification of “creative goods” by experts and
statisticians from the secretariats of UNCTAD and ITC.
In order to gain a better understanding in which kind of sector the creative economy is
working, Ms. Santos mentioned the main products within creative economy, which are
• Designs
• Arts and Crafts
• Visual Arts
• Publishing
• Music
• New Media
• Audiovisuals
Further, Ms. Santos focused on the differences between the Creative Economy and the
Creative Industries. While the Creative Economy is a set of knowledge-based economic
activities with cultural value and cross-cutting linkages to the overall economy, the
Creative Industries are tangible goods and intangible services with creative content,
economic value and market objectives.
In most developed countries, the creative economy is enhancing economic growth,
employment and trade. The concept generally reflects a multi-disciplinary approach that
integrates culture, economics and technology, while creative industries can be defined as
the cycle of creation, production and commercialization of products and services that uses
knowledge and intellectual capital as primary inputs. They deal with the interaction of
various subsectors ranging from traditional crafts, books, and visual and performing arts, to
more technology-intensive and services-oriented fields such as the music and film
industries, television and radio broadcasting, new media and design. Today, creative
industries are among the most dynamic sectors in world trade. According to UNCTAD‟s
estimations, international trade of creative goods and services reached $445.2 billion in
2005, with an annual growth rate of 8.7 per cent from 2000 to 2005.
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4.1.6 UNCTAD XI
In 2004 at UNCTAD XI, the topic of creative industries was introduced for the first time
into the international economic and development agenda, on the basis of recommendations
made by the Secretary-General‟s high level panel on creative industries and development
The São Paulo Consensus negotiated among 153 member States and agreed finally to the
main aim, beyond many other objectives of course, that the international community
should support national efforts of developing countries to increase their participation in and
benefit from dynamic sectors and to foster, protect and promote their creative industries” .
This was the very beginning for a growing awareness about the socio-economic potential
of the cultural and creative sector and greater political calls in both developing and
developed countries for encouraging the cultural and creative industries for development
gains. Since UNCTAD XI many events are taking place worldwide indicating that both the
political and the analytical agendas are moving in parallel as well as strategic policies
around the creative industries are being shaped all over the world.
For us students, it was a great and unique
opportunity to get a better understanding
of these topics as we got information out
of first hand source. Everybody of the
students was attracted by the perfect
organized event and the warm welcome
we received at UNCTAD. We also were
really impressed by the interesting and
informative presentation of Ms. Edna dos
Santos. It was an amazing first day and
start to our study trip, and we really would like to thank the whole UNCTAD Team for the
nice welcome and their efforts they have made.
4.1.7 Question & Answer Session
After Ms. Santos finished her presentation, students got the possibility to raise questions in
case there was any doubt left or to lay out their personal interests.
The first question that arose was about the difference between WTO and UNCTAD. Ms.
Santos was very pleased to answer this question and explained that while the WTO creates
rules and sets norms, UNCTAD tries to help and integrate developing nations into this
system if they wanted. They further try to promote a better understanding of the WTO
system.
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The second question was concerning the personal view of Ms. Edna dos Santos of the
financial crisis. Her opinion towards the crisis was that it was expectable and foreseeable
due to the imbalance in the monetary system and financial instability. She also pointed out
the importance to rethink now economic models and referred also to UNCTAD‟s
publication on the financial crisis on their website.
4.1.8 Internship Opportunities
As a last point, Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic came up with the question of a possible internship
opportunity at UNCTAD. Generally, Ms. Santos was very pleased to give us students from
Export-oriented Management the possibility of an internship in order to get a better
understanding of trade and development issues. An internship programme can take place at
any time during the year for a minimum of two and a maximum of six months. Generally,
there is no compensation paid to interns that means the student has to borne all costs during
the stay in Geneva. For further information about the programme and the application
process she referred to the official webpage
(www.unctad.org/Templates/Page.asp?intItemID=2106&lang=1).
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4.2 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)
Date: Monday, May 4th
2009
Time: 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Topic: Scope of work of the UNECE
Speaker: Mr. Jean Rodriguez, Senior Public Information Officer,
Office of the Executive Secretary
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
Impressed by the Palais des Nations in Geneva, headquarters of the United Nations in
Europe and globally second most important centre of the UN following New York, we had
the pleasure to experience our second
meeting in one of the biggest conference
rooms of this historic lieu.
We were introduced to the UNECE by Mr.
Jean Rodriguez, public information officer at
the UNECE, who laid a special focus on
briefing us on the commission‟s highly
interesting scope of work.
4.2.1 The Organisation and its Purpose
Firstly, a brief introduction about the organisation and its history was given. The UNECE
was established in 1947 as one of the five regional economic commissions of the United
Nations. The underlying idea was to create an organisation that supports the development
of trade in post-war Europe. In this context, Mr. Rodriguez underlined the organisation‟s
crucial role in the past in building a bridge between the two sides of the iron curtain as well
as the vital role it assumes nowadays in the integration of the newly formed Central and
Eastern European countries into the world economies.
Today the organisation is centred in Geneva, has 56 member states and understands itself
as a multilateral platform that facilitates economic integration among its members. It was
indicated that its main activities are centred on assisting countries in their accession
procedure to the European Union, supporting economies in transition from being centrally
planned ones to market economies, helping with the institution building process as well as
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providing economic and technical expertise together with technical cooperation to
countries in need of it.
The member states of the UNECE are spread over three continents – Europe, North
America and Asia, making reference to the idea the UNECE is based on. It includes all
countries engaging in the re-building of Europe after the Second World War and supports
the transition to market economy of countries that emerged after the dissolution of the
Soviet Union. Austria joined the UNECE in 1955 and is currently represented by H.E. Mr.
Christian Strohal.
The Commission is led by an Executive
Committee consisting of the UNECE‟s
Chairperson and two Vice-Chairpersons.
Currently Mr. Van Meeuwen from Belgium
serves as the Chairperson and Mr. Amirbayov
from Azerbaijan as well as Mr. Vukčević act as
Vice-Chairpersons. Beyond the Executive
Committee there are eight Sectoral Committees
addressed to the different programmes of the
UNECE. The programmes are further grouped
into six divisions which are headed by the
Executive Secretary, currently represented by
Mr. Kubiš. It has been pointed out by Mr.
Rodriguez that after 2005‟s reform focusing on
modernization and more horizontal structures,
UNECE presents itself today more streamlined
and focused. This can also be illustrated by the
fact that it counts only 221 employees.
4.2.2 The History of the UNECE
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe was, as mentioned above,
established in 1947 by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). The Commission
itself was established in 1957 after estimating its need in Europe in order to maintain peace
and to foster economic activities. Resulting, the Commission was transformed into a
permanent body of the United Nations.
However, the importance of the Commission became more apparent with the outbreak of
the Cold War. As Mr. Rodriguez indicated the UNECE remained as the only instrument for
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dialogue among all European states during this time. The activities of the UNECE were
restricted to those of common interest, which because of different economic systems
differed substantially.
With the end of the Cold War the Commission supported the establishment of market
economies and the integration of countries from the former Eastern Bloc into the global
economic system. It set up a new system of workshops and seminars in order to provide
advice from specialists to members. In 1997 and 2005 the Commission underwent major
reforms in order to be able to cope successfully with the Europe of the 21st century.
4.2.3 Programmes of the UNECE
Following the general introduction to the UNECE, Mr. Rodriguez gave a comprehensive
insight into the nine different programmes within the scope of work of the institution:
4.2.3.1 Environmental Policy
It is the general goal of this program to protect the environment as well as human health
and promote sustainable development in its member states. The strategy used by the
UNECE is based on a four-pillar approach, including the cooperation of governments to
formulate an environmental policy and support its implementation, the assumption of an
active role in certain regional and cross-regional sectoral processes, the conduction of
performance reviews of countries and the negotiation of environmental treaties.
4.2.3.2 Housing and Land Management
The provision of better housing conditions as well ensuring security of tenure in the
UNECE‟s region is the goal of this committee. Mr. Rodriguez pointed out that there is an
urgent need to establish higher standards with regards to housing as currently more than 50
million inhabitants within Europe live under very poor conditions in informal settlements.
Further, he mentioned that the UNECE is supporting governments in establishing adequate
policies with regards to the building of new housings.
4.2.3.3 Statistics
It was indicated that the focus within the statistics department is placed on coordinating
statistical activities in the region, developing statistical standards and guidelines, enabling
statistical offices to exchange experiences, supporting countries in the development of their
national statistical systems and the establishment of an online database of economics and
gender statistics.
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4.2.3.4 Sustainable Energy
The goal of this program is to promote a sustainable energy development strategy for the
UNECE‟s region. Mr. Rodriguez mentioned two major challenges in this area: Firstly, the
fact that sustainable energy shall be used and secondly, the establishment of links between
the member states. Core objectives include the assurance of access to high quality energy
for all inhabitants of the UNECE‟s region, the security of energy supplies, a development
towards a more sustainable energy use as well as established energy networks across the
region and energy efficiency. Thus, the Commission promotes the usage of cleaner sources
in more efficient ways.
4.2.3.5 Trade
This program‟s key areas of work in 2008-09 include the development and maintenance of
effective international trade related instruments, norms, standards and recommendations
adapted to the need of the global economy, the reduction of trade barriers generally, and
especially in the UNECE‟s member states as well as the facilitation of trade policy
development by providing an international platform for the exchange of views. The
importance of the standards developed here was illustrated by Mr. Rodriguez with the help
of the example of vegetables and fruits of which 70% of the total amount sold globally do
comply with the standards of the UNECE.
4.2.3.6 Economic Cooperation and Integration
This committee promotes a policy, financial and regulatory environment fostering
economic growth, innovation and competitiveness in the UNECE‟s region. Its four main
thematic areas include the promotion of knowledge-based economy and innovation to
strengthen the member states‟ economies, the facilitation of the development of
entrepreneurship and promotion of the emergence of new companies as well as the
facilitation of effective regulatory policies and corporate governance.
4.2.3.7 Timber
The timber committee (TC) and European Forestry Commission (EFC) work together and
provide a joint team to guarantee a sustainable forest management in Europe, the
Commonwealth of Independent States and North America. Mr. Rodriguez pointed out that
this area of work is especially important as some of the top producers of timber are
members of the UNECE, for example Canada and the Russian Federation.
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4.2.3.8 Transport
Transport constitutes a major program of the UNECE, engaging for example in the
promotion of road safety, the facilitation of the international movements of goods, the
synchronization of transport infrastructures as well as the development of the
recommendations on the transport of dangerous goods. Moreover, it contributes to the
implementation of the Pan-European Program on Transport, Environment and Health
(THE PEP).
4.2.3.9 Technical Cooperation
The ECE technical cooperation is characterized by a demand driven and result oriented
approach and focuses on countries with economies in transition of Eastern Europe, the
Caucasus, Central Asia and South-Eastern Europe, but is also linked to the ECE‟s
normative work. It aims to improve the national capacity of the countries to implement
global and ECE instruments, norms and standards. Services provided include advice,
capacity-building workshops, seminars and study tours as well as training courses and
technical cooperation projects.
Finally, Mr. Rodriguez made reference to the relation and collaboration of the UNECE
with other bodies, such as e.g. the OECD, OSCE, EU or other UN bodies as well as non-
governmental organisations.
4.2.4 Internship Opportunities
The United Nations Economic Commission for
Europe on an ad hoc basis assigns internships to
students enrolled at a graduate school. Internships
are unpaid and usually have duration of two to three
months; however, in special cases they may be
extended to six months.
Applications for an internship with the UNECE,
including a CV, a completed internship application form as well as a statement of the field
of activity the candidate wishes to work in together with available dates, might be sent via
mail to the generic E-mail at the UNECE ([email protected]).
Mr. Rodriguez also mentioned that additional information on the internship programme of
the UNECE can be found on the homepage of the institution and the procedure described
should be followed. (www.unece.org/oes/internships/internship_prog.htm).
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4.3 United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
Date: Monday, May 4th
2009
Time: 11:30 am - 12:45 am
Topic: Guided tour through the facilities
After the presentation on UNCTAD
and UNECE we were glad to have a
guided tour through the building of
the United Nations Office in
Geneva, where we could visit the
most important and impressive halls
and rooms. For the 45 minutes tour
the group was split into two sub
groups.
The conference rooms showed to the IMC students were the Swiss room, also named
Room XIX, the Assembly Hall and the Spanish room. Generally the layout of all 34
conference rooms of the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG) is similar. The
respective delegates are seated in alphabetical order of the countries either according to
English or French names. There are also places for the permanent observers Palestine and
Vatican, and for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Furthermore, journalists and the general public can attend
the conferences at the gallery. Usually translators and
interpreters of the six official UN languages, namely
English, French, Russian, Arabic, Chinese and Spanish, are
present.
Switzerland donated a large amount of money for the
construction of the new wing; therefore, one of the most
important conference rooms was named the Swiss room.
400 to 600 delegates can seat inside this room.
The Assembly Hall has a capacity of over 1200 seats and
hosts some of the most important events such as the annual meeting of the General
Assembly, which is usually held in New York, but can sometimes take place in Geneva. In
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1946 the League of Nations was dissolved and in 1948 the Declaration of Human Rights
was signed in this room.
The third room, also called Spanish
Room, is the oldest of these three
conference halls. It was donated and
decorated by the government of
Spain in the 1930‟s. It was dedicated
to the predecessors of international
law who lived in the 16th
century.
The walls and the ceiling show the
process of mankind concerning war,
technology, social behaviour and sciences. A lot of suffering is displayed but also hope for
future generations symbolized by a mother with a newborn baby. The main conferences
held here are on disarmament, nuclear testing and chemical weapons.
Furthermore, an impressive hallway called the „Gallery of Lost Steps‟ was shown to the
students. It was built completely by gifts from member states such as marble from Italy or
columns from Sweden which should demonstrate that the UN member states can work
together on a certain project to create something beautiful. Quite extraordinary were also
the artworks donated by different members and distributed on the whole area of the
UNOG.
The library of the UNOG was mentioned in the tour as well. It comprises over 1,000
volumes concerning international law and relations dating back to its foundation in the
1920‟s. Unfortunately, it is only open for delegates and academic researchers.
The United Nations Office at
Geneva is the second-biggest of
the major office sites of the
United Nations (after New York
and beside Vienna and Nairobi).
With around 8,000 meetings a
year the UNOG is one of the
busiest conference centres in the
world and is also the biggest
duty station of the United
Nations beside New York.
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The United Nations family in Geneva is with around 8,500 employees the largest
concentration of United Nations personnel in the world. They work in the fields of health,
labour, intellectual property, disarmament efforts, human rights, humanitarian action and
disaster relief economic, trade and development activities, science and technology and also
research and training. Two thirds of the activities of the United Nations system take place
in Geneva and so making it a key centre of international co-operation and multilateral
negotiation.
The Office provides financial and administrative support services to more than 20 Geneva
based organisations and departments.
Beside the administration it also hosts
the offices for several specialized
agencies such as the International
Labour Organisation, the World
Health Organisation or the United
Nations Institute for Disarmament
Research. The UNOG is headed by a
Director-General who is accountable
directly to the Secretary- General.
At the moment 167 permanent missions (out of 192 member states) are accredited to the
UNOG additionally two non-member states and eight intergovernmental organisations are
participating as observers in the work of the UN.
The delegations of the First Assembly of the League of Nations were welcomed in Geneva
on November 15th
1920. In 1936 the League of Nations moved to the newly built Palais
des Nations.
The Palais is located in the 45-hectar Ariana Park among majestic trees. The City of
Geneva made the park available to the United Nations for its offices as long as the United
Nations exists. Originally the park was owned by the Revilliod de Rive family which
bequeathed the Park to the City of Geneva; one of the conditions was that the coffin of
Revilliod should remain on the land of the former owner and that peacocks should roam
freely on its grounds.
When in April 1946 the League of Nations was dissolved at a final Assembly on Geneva,
the League handed over among other assets the Palais des Nations to the United Nations.
While the headquarters of the new organisation has since be established in New York the
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European Office of the United Nations was created in the Palais des Nations becoming the
United Nations Office at Geneva in 1966.
4.4 International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC)
Date: Monday, May 4th
2009
Time: 01:45 pm – 02:45 pm
Topic: Guided tour through the museum
4.4.1 History
The history of the ICRC started in 1859, during the war of Italian Unification, when a
citizen from Switzerland, Henry Dunant, saw thousands of people injured during the fights
lying around without help in Solferino, a town in Northern Italy. Therefore, he asked the
question if it would not be possible to form relief societies during peace to ensure that they
will care for wounded people in wartime. This led to the foundation of a five-member
committee in 1863, known as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
An important concept was to give neutral
status medical services and volunteer nurses, as
they should not be affected by the fighting. Ten
resolutions were adopted which provided for
the establishment of the future Red Cross, like
the Committees have to provide medical
services in times of war and have to
communicate with their governments to be
accepted. But to make treaty rules, and
therefore binding obligations, out of these
resolutions, in 1864 a conference was held.
The idea was to create relief societies
providing medical service to wounded soldiers
as well as a legal basis obliging armies to care
for all wounded, no matter which side they
were on. This led to the signing of the Geneva
Convention for the Amelioration of the
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Condition of Wounded of Armies in the Field. Modern international humanitarian law was
born. WWI led to a considerable expansion of the ICRC´s activities, also including
prisoners of war, civilians and the prohibition of the use of chemical weapons.
In 1919 the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies was founded
by 5 member societies, namely Britain, France,
Italy, Japan and the United States, to
strengthen and unite Red Cross Societies. The
ICRC´s efforts to help the Jews and other
groups of civilians persecuted during WWII
were a failure.
After this disaster in 1949, 4 further conventions were adopted: the Convention for
Wounded and Sick military personnel on the battlefield, the Convention of wounded, sick
and shipwrecked military personnel in war at sea, the Convention of Prisoners of War and
the Convention for civilians. The fourth Convention was completely newly-introduced and
wanted to ensure general protection of civilians against consequences of war.
4.4.2 Structure of the ICRC
The ICRC is currently headed by the president Jakob Kellenberger and other two vice-
presidents Olivier Vodoz and Christine Beerli. Their tasks are mainly representing the
organisation on the international scene and ensuring a smooth functioning of the ICRC.
Apart from the presidency, also the
Assembly, the Assembly Council and
the Directorate are involved in the
decision making process. The Assembly
with its 15 to 25 elected members of
Swiss nationality, chaired by the
presidency, is the supreme governing
body which oversees all activities of the
organisation. Formulating policies,
defining objectives and institutional strategy, and approving the budget are part of its
responsibilities. The Assembly Council, composed of five elected members and chaired by
the president, prepares the activities of the Assembly and reports regularly to the
Directorate and the Assembly. The Directorate, with its five members and the current
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Director-General Angelo Gnaedinger, is the executive body of the ICRC. Its main task is to
ensure the application of the objectives and institutional strategy.
4.4.3 Mandate and Mission of the ICRC
The mission of the ICRC is as follows: “The International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) is an impartial, neutral and independent organisation whose exclusively
humanitarian mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of war and internal
violence and to provide them with assistance.”
The ICRC has a legal mandate from the international community, originating from the
binding 1949 Geneva Conventions and from the Statutes of International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement which are adopted at the International Conference of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent, taking place every four years. The Geneva Conventions, which
are applicable worldwide, tell the organisation to visit prisoners, re-unite separated families
and engage in different humanitarian activities during armed conflicts like organizing relief
operations. The Statutes of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, having a
so-called quasi-legal or “soft-law” status, address situations of internal violence where the
Geneva Conventions do not apply.
4.4.4 Activities of the ICRC
The ICRC is engaged in different fields of activities. The most important are listed below:
Protection: in this field the ICRC tries to ensure that the international humanitarian law is
kept during times of war. But this activity is not only concerned with the protection of
civilians affected by war but also of prisoners and detainees as well as the reconnection of
families torn apart by war.
Concerning the protection of civilians there are several specific rules (1949 Geneva
Conventions and their 1977 Additional Protocols). Situations not covered by these rules
are subject to human rights law and the principles of humanitarian law. Whenever a
conflict occurs the ICRC tries to keep as much contact to the civilian population as
possible as well as to the authorities in order to ensure that humanitarian law is kept.
In order to ensure that prisoners and detainees are treated according to the international
standards, the ICRC is entitled to visit them.
Reconnection of families includes all activities that prevent the separation of families,
rebuild contact between family members and help to clear what happened to missing
members.
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Assistance: this field covers all activities aiming to improve living conditions by providing
necessary materials and medical assistance. Major areas in this section are health,
economic security and water and habitat.
Assistance in health covers the most important activities to ensure that people affected by
war have access to the basic medical assistance at an international standard.
Economic security is concerned with basic economic needs of people and provides
assistance so that these are met.
Activities in the section of water and habitat try to secure access to clean water as well as
appropriate sanitation.
Furthermore the ICRC promotes international humanitarian law by increasing the
awareness of those who determine the fate of victims and those who are empowered to
ease the undertakings of the ICRC.
The ICRC also makes efforts to clean areas of mines and other explosive remnants of war
(ERW), uses humanitarian diplomats to make aware of problems, works together with
national societies in order to ensure fast help and cooperate with private sector companies
which conduct business in war prone zones so that humanitarian principles are promoted
and fast and qualitative help is ensured.
4.4.5 Museum of the ICRC in Geneva
At the museum the students were divided into three groups and given a guided tour around
the building.
The first explanation given by the guide was the difference between the Red Cross and the
ICRC. The Red Cross, and the Red Crescent for the Muslim and Arab world, help people
suffering from natural catastrophes like for example diseases, earthquakes, tsunamis,
flooding, hurricanes, etc. The ICRC, however, becomes active whenever people are
suffering from human acts, like for example getting imprisoned or involved in any kind of
fights. Their staffs are also visiting prisons and camps to show the imprisoned that
somebody cares for them and enable them to send messages to their families.
The museum was built approximately 20 years ago in 1988. With its construction, the
architect wanted to leave a message to the world, showing that the ICRC is fighting for the
rights of human beings.
The area of exhibition is located in the basement of the building where missing windows
shall create a suitable atmosphere for understanding why the organisation is needed. Slide
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shows, short videos, pictures and related items are supposed to bring the topic closer to
visitors. Worth mentioning is especially the impressive archive of all prisoners of war
during the two world wars and objects given to Red Cross staff by grateful people. Another
part of the exhibition includes a detailed history of the organisation, starting with the battle
of Solferino in 1859, the work of Henry Dunant up to the signing of the four Geneva
Conventions and the creation of the ICRC.
Basically, the exhibition is divided into five modules which treat different fields of
activity. In the first station, the difficulty for the Red Cross to improve medical treatment
for people suffering from illnesses in developing countries can be seen. As people there
often do not trust charity due to bad experiences in the past, an exchange system was
introduced by the Red Cross where ill people get vaccines for bringing recyclable trash.
The second station covers all activities of the ICRC concerning imprisoned people,
including visits, creation of contact with families via letters and the increase of living
conditions. The necessity of these activities can be experienced by visitors in a rebuilt
small Iraqi prison cell which kept 17 people.
The next module shows all the items necessary to survive after natural catastrophes, where
victims have lost everything. Priority is given, in declining range, to water, shelter and
food, which is provided by the Red Cross.
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Another impressing module is the
reestablishment of the linkage between
lost ones, in most cases children, and
their families via fototracing. By
taking photos, indicating also the
camp the person is in, it is possible to
reconnect approximately 80% of lost
people with their families.
The next field of activity is the
awareness training to prevent victims of mines. Here, injured people also get prostheses
and are taught how to use them. The films, pictures and items enable visitors of this
museum to get to know the impressive work and importance of the Red Cross for the fair
treatment of people and the increase of living standards.
4.4.6 Internship/Employment Opportunities
Concerning employment possibilities at the ICRC, one can apply for only one advertised
post via sending a mail including the CV to the Committee. Normally, during the first two
to three years working for the ICRC basic activities are done, after three years middle
management functions may be available and after several more years senior management
positions can be occupied. Important to know is that staff usually is not allowed to choose
where it wants to carry out its missions. Thus, employees have to go to the regions and
countries experiencing wars and conflicts, which are chosen by the ICRC. Furthermore, the
ICRC occasionally hires interns for specific posts that have been advertised.
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4.5 World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO)
Date: Monday, May 4th
2009
Time: 03:15 pm – 04:30 pm
Topic: General overview of the history, structure and activities of the Organisation
Speaker: Ms. Cathy Jewell
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
After the absorbing guided tour through
the Museum of the International Red
Cross we walked to the last destination of
our first day‟s visits: The premises of the
WIPO (World Intellectual Property
Organisation). It constitutes a specialized
agency of the United Nations. WIPO‟s
mandate is to promote the protection of
intellectual property (IP) in cooperation
with its 184 member states and to work to ensure that all countries are in a position to reap
concrete benefit from the IP system. WIPO‟s activities fall into three main clusters of
activities, namely, international IP standard-setting to establish an international framework
for the protection of IP, technical assistance to support countries in strengthening their IP
systems and the provision of services which facilitate the process of obtaining IP rights in
multiple countries. Furthermore WIPO administers 24 treaties. Mrs. Cathy Jewell
introduced us to the history and scope of work of the organisation in a lively and
interesting way. Right at the beginning she raised the question of how to define intellectual
property, which was elaborated by one of our students, Markus Traxler, comprehensively
and in full detail.
4.5.1 Historical Development
WIPO counts 184 member states and
roots back to 1883. In this year, the
Paris Convention for the Protection
of Industrial Property was formed. It
was the first major international
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treaty designed to help the people of one country obtain protection in other countries for
their intellectual creations in the form of industrial property rights, known as inventions
(patents), trademarks and industrial designs.
In 1886, the Berne Convention for the Protection of literary and artistic works laid the
foundations for copyright protection. The two small bureaux of these conventions united to
form an international organisation called the United International Bureaux for the
Protection of Intellectual Property (best known by its French acronym BIRPI: Bureaux
Internationaux Réunis pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle). It was based in
Berne, Switzerland. As the importance of intellectual property grew, the structure and form
of the organisation changed as well. In 1960, BIRPI moved from Berne to Geneva to be
closer to the United Nations and other international organisations in that city. A decade
later, following the entry into force of the Convention Establishing the World Intellectual
Property Organisation in 1970, BIRPI ceased to exist and WIPO began its operations as an
intergovernmental organization at the service of its member states. The current Director
General is Francis Gurry.
4.5.2 Core Tasks and Aims
In a nutshell, WIPO strives to promote the effective use of the IP system to promote
economic, social and cultural development. At its core, the IP system is designed to serve
the public good by promoting innovation and creativity and by contributing to market
order. It strives to balance the interests of inventors/creators with those of the general
public. The Organization‟s strategic objectives are to
Promote the balanced evolution of the international normative framework to ensure
that the development of international IP law keeps pace with rapidly evolving
technological, geo-economic, social & cultural environment;
Continue to upgrade and improve WIPO‟s services to industry and the private
sector. These include the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT), the Madrid System for
the International Registration of Trademarks, the Hague System for the
International Registration of Industrial Designs and the WIPO Arbitration and
Mediation Center.
Facilitate the use of IP for Development. This reflects the Organization‟s
commitment to ensuring that all countries are able to benefit from use of IP for
development;
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Coordination and Development of Global IP Infrastructure. This new orientation
responds to the need for greater technical standardization and work sharing
between offices and the need to facilitate greater participation by developing and
least developed countries in the global IP infrastructure and its benefits;
World Reference Source for IP Information and Analysis. This is a response to the
call for empirical analyses of the socio-economic impact of IP. Further, the
development of a portal will facilitate access to a comprehensive source of IP
information resources.
International Cooperation on Building Respect for IP. Respect of IPRs is a
principle shared by all Member States. The aim is to enhance cooperation in
building respect for IPRs by creating an enabling environment
Addressing IP in relation to Global Policy Themes. WIPO is committed to
addressing the intersection between IP and global public policy issues
WIPO is committed to upgrading effective communications at all levels with all
stakeholders and to developing a customer services culture; and
finally, the Organization is committed to streamlining the Organization‟s
administrative systems to facilitate program delivery
Another core task is to build and promote awareness to respect IP rights and prevent piracy
and counterfeiting.
Public Sector & Policy Makers
Building Awareness Intellectual Property Offices
General Public & Civil Society
WIPO undertakes a number of activities, including:
• normative activities, involving the setting of norms and standards for the
protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights through the conclusion
of international treaties;
• program activities, involving legal technical assistance to States in the field of
intellectual property;
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• international classification and standardization activities, involving cooperation
among industrial property offices concerning patents, trademarks and industrial
design documentation; and
• delivering global IP protection services: WIPO administers fee-based services,
based on international agreements, which enable users in member countries to file
international applications for patents (PCT), and international registrations for
trademarks (Madrid System), designs (Hague System), and appellations of origin
(Lisbon System).
The WIPO Arbitration & Mediation Center offers alternative dispute resolution
services (www.wipo.int/amc/en/). It provides tailor-made dispute resolution services and
provides services under the Uniform Domain Names Dispute Resolution Policy (UDRP)
which is designed to address problems of cybersquatting or the abusive registration of
trademarks as domain names. Recent cases include for example the Simpsons and
Jennifer Lopez. Standard cases cost approximately USD 1,500 and decisions are made by
independent panellists typically within two months. The WIPO Arbitration & Mediation
Centre‟s services offer a number of advantages, are cost-effective and expeditious.
The Patent Cooperation Treaty contributes approximately 76% to the WIPO budget and
15% comes from use of the Madrid System. Therefore, Member states‟ contributions
amount to no more than 7% of the Organization‟s budget.
Furthermore, WIPO has a dynamic Economic Devleopment Program administered through
various regional bureaux based in Geneva. The Organization also has various satellite
offices in, for example, Singapore, Brazil, Japan and the USA. Applicants from
Developing and Least developed countries receive a 90% reduction when using the Patent
Cooperation Treaty and the Madrid System. Chile and Peru for example, have just joined
the Patent Cooperation Treaty bringing the total number of contracting parties to that
Treaty to 141.
The most recent treaty concluded by
WIPO member states is the Singapore
Trademark Law Treaty. It was negotiated
in 2004 and entered into force in April
2009. The aim of this Treaty is to
establish a modern and dynamic
international framework for the
harmonization of trademark registration
procedures.
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WIPO is unusual among the family of UN organisations in that it is largely self-financing.
About 90% of the organisation's budgeted expenditure comes from earnings from the
services which WIPO provides to users of the international registration systems. The
remaining 10% are made up mainly of revenue from WIPO‟s arbitration and mediation
services and sales of publications, plus contributions from member states.
4.5.3 Decision Making Bodies
All decisions governing WIPO‟s strategic direction and activities are made by the member
states (one vote each). The WIPO Secretariat coordinates formal and informal meetings of
the member state bodies throughout the year. Governing and decision making bodies
include the:
• WIPO General Assembly
• WIPO Conference
• WIPO Coordination Committee
• Standing Committee on the Law of Patents (SCP)
• Standing Committee on the Law of Trademarks, Industrial Designs and
Geographical Indications (SCT)
• Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR)
The International Classification Treaties (i.e. the Locarno, Nice, Strasbourg and Vienna
Agreements) established permanent Committees of experts with a mandate periodically to
revise and update the classification systems.
4.5.4 Question & Answer Session
How much does a GI (Geographic Indication) and other IP protection cost?
The cost of a GI depends very much
on the region, the country and what it
is protected for. It is necessary to
contact experts directly and discuss
everything depending on the various
circumstances. Other trademark rights
can be calculated on the website
(http://www.wipo.int/madrid/en/fees).
One has to put in all the parameters and will find out about prices. A trademark
application , for example costs approximately CHF 925. The cost of obtaining a
patent is difficult to define as there are various elements that need to be calculated,
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e.g. the number of pages of the application, the number of countries in which
protection is being sought, whether or not a search is required, etc. That said, the
PCT offers a cost-effective means for inventors seeking broad-based patent
protection. Use of the PCT has grown annually since its launch in 1978. In 2008 a
record 164,000 international applications were received under the PCT. One of the
main advantages of using the system is that it allows applicants to defer payment of
the bulk of the fees associated with patent protection in a large number for up to 18
months. The PCT currently has 141 contracting parties.
Is it true that one just has to send a postcard addressed to oneself in order to protect one’s
copyright?
One of our colleagues had heard that while copyright protection is immediate and
automatic under the terms of the Berne Convention, an individual could prove
authorship by mailing the work to themselves (by registered mail); the post mark
(date stamp) serving as an additional proof of the origin and date of creation of that
work. Cathy confirmed that people actually do use this procedure, simple as it is.
4.5.5 Internship Opportunities
There are ad hoc internship possibilities, however, there is no formal procedure or official
program but it is always worth trying. Mrs. Jewell emphasized that it is vital to identify the
area in which one would like to work. It would be good to speak some of the six official
UN languages as well as Korean, Japanese or Portuguese respectively. Furthermore, a
summer school is available, a close cooperation and partnership programs are held with
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universities from all over the world. More information can be found online (www.wipo.int)
and also Mrs. Jewell can (and should) be contacted at [email protected].
5 TUESDAY, MAY 5TH
2009
5.1 International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
Date: Tuesday, May 5th
2009
Time: 09:00 am – 10:45 am
Topic: History, Structure & Activities of the ITU
Speaker: Ms. Cristina Bueti, Corporate Strategy Division
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
Our first visit on Tuesday, May 5th
2009, brought us to the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU). We had the unique opportunity to meet Ms. Cristina
Bueti, policy analyst of the Corporate Strategy Division. Ms. Bueti presented us with the
main objective of the organisation and its fields of activity.
Subsequently to the introduction we were given an overall view
on the structure and decision making bodies of the organisation.
Ms. Bueti‟s presentation was followed by an interactive
discussion and Question & Answer session on interesting
topics, ranging from spam and roaming charges, to cyber
security and internship possibilities with the ITU.
The ITU is a specialized agency of the United Nations and a
leader in information and communication technologies.
5.1.1 Historical Background
During the 19th century the number of innovations in communication demanded the
cooperation on an international level. Hence, in 1865 the International Telegraph Union
was created and soon thereafter it was followed by the first regulations on radio
broadcasting. Its scope of activities grew due to technologic advancements and in 1932 the
organisation‟s name was changed to ITU. In 1947 it was declared a UN specialized agency
and its headquarters were moved from Bern to Geneva.
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5.1.2 Mission & Main Activities
The ITU is a norm-setting organisation with the vision to „connect the unconnected‟, that is
to enable access to telecommunication worldwide. It aims to develop interlinked systems
through collaborative efforts of both the private and the public sectors. Its objectives
include the active integration of developing countries into the global telecommunication
network.
The work of the ITU is divided into three main sectors:
• Radio Communication (ITU-R)
The radio frequency spectrum is a limited resource and faces the challenge of
accommodating the large number of telecommunication services available. The
Radio Communication division of the ITU manages the spectrum by assigning
frequencies to defined regions. Furthermore, it is responsible for the allocation of
television and broadcasting frequencies. The registration of satellite orbital
positions and development of services also lay within the scope of the ITU-R.
• Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T)
Within the second sector of the ITU, technical specifications for international
communication services are developed in order to facilitate operations worldwide.
Examples of standardizations provided by the ITU-T include universal telephone
codes and numbering plans.
• Development (ITU-D)
The third sector of the ITU addresses the “missing link” of developing countries.
The Development sector of the ITU was established in 1992 in order to address
the lack of inter-linkage and to promote access to telecommunication networks in
the developing world. In 2006 the ITU launched a project based on the objective
to bridge the “Digital Divide”. The Development sector of the ITU aims to
support developing nations in overcoming their lack of technical or financial
resources and offers assistance and training for capacity building.
In addition, the ITU plays an essential role in disaster management. The
organisation improves telecommunication systems to ensure communication for
disaster prevention and in case of emergencies. Furthermore, the organisation
collaborates and exchanges information with other UN agencies, such as the
International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). It organizes workshops and
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forums on issues associated with telecommunication services. Among the topics
of discussion are safety and consumer protection in internet governance.
Finally, another major activity of the ITU is to provide information on the process
and evolution of telecommunication services. The analysis and findings are
comprised in the World Telecommunications Development Report, which is
published on an annual basis. Hence, the ITU serves as a kind of platform for the
research, analysis and exchange of data and statistics on trends in international
telecommunication services.
5.1.3 Legal Framework
The legal framework of the ITU is based on the Constitution and Convention,
Administrative Regulations, including Radio and International Telecommunication
Regulations, as well as further basic texts. While the Constitution deals with basic
provisions, the purpose, structure and responsibilities of the Union and the respective
sectors, the Convention focuses on the functioning of the bodies and additional provisions
for conferences and assemblies or telecommunication services. Regulations concerning the
radio frequency spectrum are discussed and adopted during World Radio communication
Conferences held twice a year. These regulations eventually obtain treaty status and are in
principal binding for member states. Furthermore, International Telecommunication
Regulations exist with the aim of facilitating and improving telecommunication services.
5.1.4 Membership
Membership of the ITU is split up into three different categories. On the one hand 191
governments are currently granted the status of member states. On the other hand further
571 companies, such as Microsoft and Google, join the Union as sector members. Sector
members, a unique feature within the UN system, are active in a variety of fields including
manufacturing, research and development or services and funding. In addition, companies
and organisations can participate in study groups of the respective sectors as so called
associate members. The majority thereof is part of the ITU-T and ITU-D sectors.
5.1.5 Decision Making Bodies and Process
Supreme authority lies with the Plenipotentiary Conference and thus the member states that
meet every four years to set forth the overall strategy of the Union and revise the
Constitution and Convention. Furthermore, the Plenipotentiary Conference elects the
Secretary General as well as 46 members equally distributed amongst the regions that
constitute the Council. The Council is the executive body of the ITU, implementing its
policies and regulations and coordinating activities of the three sectors. The responsibilities
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of the Secretary General, Dr. Hamadoun I. Touré, who is supported by a Deputy Secretary
General, mainly are of administrative and financial scope. In addition, the General
Secretariat supervises the three directors, each heading a bureau of the three sectors.
Furthermore, conferences on radio communication and telecommunication development
are reviewing and possibly revising regulations laid out by the Council. Every sector has a
study group that works on a broad range of topics, formulated by the respective assemblies.
One focus is, for instance, on online child protection. The World Telecommunication
Standardization and the Radio communication Assemblies additionally are responsible for
approving ITU-T and ITU-R recommendations. The three sectors have also set up advisory
groups that provide assistance to the directors by determining priorities and strategies for
the sectors as well as guiding the study groups. An additional body attached to the radio
communication sector is the Radio Regulations Board, which approves rules of procedure
and provides recommendations.
5.1.6 Presentation and Discussion
After an introduction of the organisation and its structure, Ms. Bueti explained major fields
of activities and upcoming events of the ITU. For instance, the Telecom World is a
worldwide exhibition which is held every three years and is the major event in the
international information and communication technology (ICT) sector. This year‟s
Telecom World event takes place in Geneva and is dedicated to „Open Networks –
Connected Minds‟. Moreover, the founding date of the ITU is celebrated on May 17 as the
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day. This year‟s theme deals with the
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child/youth online protection, a joint effort by public and private entities to increase cyber
security. Ms. Bueti emphasized the importance of the World Summit on Information
Society (WSIS), which marked a milestone event in the cooperation of different
stakeholders. The outcome of the two phases of WSIS is considered an essential tool and
its implementation is reviewed at the WSIS forum organized on an annual basis by ITU,
UNESCO, UNCTAD and UNDP.
Ms. Bueti was very open to answer any questions on the work of the ITU. Due to her
enthusiastic personality and positive attitude, the students were actively participating in the
discussion. Questions raised included, amongst others, the issue of roaming charges. A
study group of the ITU is currently working on this problem by establishing a common
tariff policy to be applied on a global scale.
The discussion continued with security issues and the ITU‟s position on spams. The
organisation highlights that it should be a minimum requirement that every user can afford
anti-virus software and therefore it tries to make agreements with different providers to
keep prices low, without breaching any rules of competition. Moreover, Ms. Bueti
mentioned that there are two different approaches to spam. The US approach is a rather
market-oriented one with an „opt-out‟ version whereas European and other countries
follow an „opt-in‟ version. With regards to „cyber bullying‟, the ITU emphasizes the need
to include regulations in national laws. Ms. Bueti stressed that the organisation‟s aim is not
to hamper freedom of expression but to ensure security.
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Furthermore, of great interest is the ITU‟s focus on „Networks of the Future‟ as within a
few years, it will be possible to connect multiple communication devices and thereby
enabling us to turn on the oven by simply sending a text message.
Our visit to the ITU and the presentation by Ms. Bueti were highly informative, because
the topics discussed affect our daily lives. Almost everyone is a member of social
networks, such as Facebook and Skype, however, one is often not aware of the underlying
threats. Women, for instance, may be
traced in certain countries due to the
information they provide on Facebook.
Interestingly, Ms. Bueti further
mentioned that Skype was the only
means of communication used by
terrorists after 9/11 and that everyone
downloading the program in the US
will automatically be profiled.
Moreover, the search engine Google
allows one the one hand for
continuously improved research while on the other hand it evaluates user data and
transforms it into advertising banners. Given these examples, internet users have to
carefully select which data to transmit.
5.1.7 Internship Opportunities
As a last point, Ms. Bueti mentioned the ITU‟s internship program, which is offered to
undergraduate as well as graduate students from its member states and can be applied for
online (www.itu.int/employment/stages.html). Applicants are encouraged to specify their
area of interest. As with most other UN agencies, there is no reimbursement and costs have
to be borne by the students. Nevertheless, such an internship program offers a unique
opportunity to gain valuable experience in the rapidly changing field of
telecommunications.
There would have been a lot more questions on the interesting work of the ITU, but
unfortunately time did not allow for them. Still, the ITU and Ms. Bueti‟s presentation was
one of the most memorable visits of the entire study trip.
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5.2 International Labour Organisation (ILO)
Date: Tuesday, May 5th
2009
Time: 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Topic: Introduction to the Organisation and Activities of the ILO
Speaker: Mr. Hans von Rohland, Senior Information Officer
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
After the interesting lecture at the International Telecommunication Union, our trip
continued with a visit to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), where we listened to
three informative interactive speeches on different topics. First, Mr. Hans von Rohland
provided an overview of the organisation‟s activities as well as important historical aspects
relevant for it‟s coming into being. This was followed by two speeches by Ms. Caroline
O‟Reilly and Ms. Udine Gröger on fundamental rights and principles of work by
referencing on specific Conventions, and forced labour and human trafficking respectively.
5.2.1 The Organisation
The International Labour Organisation (ILO), based in the International Labour Office in
Geneva, is a specialized organisation of the United Nations accommodating 182 member
states from all continents and celebrating its 90th
anniversary this year. Main
responsibilities include the development and supervision of international labour standards.
With its unique tripartite structure, the ILO brings together governments, employers and
workers in the annual International Labour Conference to set labour standards, supervise
their implementation, raise awareness, develop policies and devise programmes. These are
realized by the establishment of Conventions, Recommendations and Codes of Practice.
According to the ILO Constitution (1919) “universal and lasting peace can be established
only if it is based upon social justice”. Besides, decent work is the key to the elimination of
poverty. Following these principles, the ILO identifies four primary strategic objectives:
• To promote and realize standards and fundamental principles and rights at work.
• To create greater opportunities for women and men to secure decent employment.
• To enhance the coverage and effectiveness of social protection for all.
• To strengthen tripartism and social dialogue.
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5.2.2 History
The ILO was created in 1919 as part of the Treaty of
Versailles that ended World War I to reflect the belief
that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished
only if it is based on social justice. The tripartite
organisation initially originated from a decision made
by a commission composed of representatives from
nine countries: Belgium, Cuba, Czechoslovakia,
France, Italy, Japan, Poland, the United Kingdom and
the United States.
The ILO at that time was and still is the only
organisation bringing together representatives of
governments, employers and workers in its executive
bodies. Deep reasons were behind the formation of
the ILO including driving forces in a political, social
and economic sense. The most important political stimulus for the creation of the ILO was
the fear of a revolution (like the Russian Revolution in 1917) hitting the world again.
Social driving forces included the aim to abolish child labour that was recognized in
industrialized countries. Harmonized international labour legislation and the elimination of
national protectionism or decreasing competitiveness due to single-state regulations were
among the economic grounds for the creation of the ILO.
The ILO has made signal contributions to the world of work from its early days. The first
International Labour Conference held in Washington in 1919 adopted six International
Labour Conventions, which dealt with hours of work in industry, unemployment, maternity
protection, night work for women, minimum age and night work for young persons in
industry.
In the summer of 1920, the ILO was firstly located in Geneva where it is still
headquartered today. During the Great Depression of the 1920s with its resulting massive
unemployment, the ILO realized that handling labour issues also requires international
cooperation. This resulted in the United States becoming a Member of the ILO in 1934.
Later, as the Second World War became imminent, the headquarters of the ILO
temporarily moved to Montreal, Canada, in May 1940 for reasons of safety. In 1946, the
ILO became a specialized agency of the newly formed United Nations. During the post-
war years between 1948-1970 the number of Member States doubled, the Organisation
took on its universal character, industrialized countries became a minority among
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developing countries, the budget grew five-fold and the number of officials quadrupled. In
1969 on its 50th anniversary the ILO even was granted the Nobel Peace Prize. From the
post-Cold War period on, the importance of placing social justice at the heart of
international economic and social policies was emphasized by the ILO. Also a course of
decentralization of activities and resources away from the Geneva headquarters was set
forth.
The current Director General of the ILO is Juan
Somavia of Chile who took over in March 1999. He
is considered to have brought significant changes to
the Organisation concerning its structure, activities
and ways to approach the various issues. Mr.
Somavia emphasizes the importance of making
decent work and the promotion of a fair
globalization a strategic international goal.
Moreover, he underlines work as an instrument of
poverty alleviation and the ILO‟s role in helping to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals,
including cutting world poverty by half by 2015.
5.2.3 Structure
The ILO is the world's only tripartite multilateral agency that makes employers, workers
and governments have equal voices and jointly shape policies and programmes. Each
country is represented by two government delegates and one employer and worker
delegate. These meet in the annual International Labour Conference in Geneva, where
Conventions and Recommendations are adopted by means of two-thirds majority votes to
set international standards. Through the ratification by member states, Conventions create
binding obligations to implement the provisions. Recommendations provide the country
with guidance on policy, legislation, and practical issues. The Conference also approves
the ILO work plan, the budget, which is contributed by the member states, and elects the
Governing Body.
The Governing Body, which is the executive council, meets between the sessions of the
Conference and consists of 28 government members, 14 employer members and 14 worker
members. It usually meets three times a year to draft the programme, the budget and
prepare preworks for the Conference.
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In addition to the International Labour Office in Geneva, the ILO‟s Secretariat has field
offices in more than 40 countries. The Office is headed by the Director-General and works
under the scrutiny of the Governing Body, who appoints the head of the Office. The
Director-General is elected for a five-year renewable term.
5.2.4 Scope of Work
The ILO is the international meeting place for the world of work. Basically it fosters
economic development and progress. The ILO states that all countries should have the
same possibility to implement international labour standards in order to be efficient.
Therefore social dialogue has become a central issue for the scope of work.
“Decent work”–as defined by the ILO–is the organisation‟s slogan. Decent work is central
to the efforts to reduce poverty. Besides, it is a means to achieve sustainable development.
“Promoting decent work for all people”–has priority in the ILO.
As global unemployment has always been a concerning issue, the ILO has put employment
at the centre of economic and social policies. It helps to implement employment policies
and also promotes employment-intensive investment.
In 2002, the ILO launched the World Commission on the Social Dimension of
Globalization. The Commission explored innovative, sustainable ways of combining
economic, social and environmental objectives to make globalization work for all.
Since its foundation the ILO has been trying to improve labour conditions for working
people by building a system of international labour standards, as already mentioned above.
Until now the ILO has adopted more than 180 ILO Conventions and 190
Recommendations covering all aspects of the world of work. In 1998, the ILO adopted the
Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. It covers four basic areas:
• Freedom of association (workers‟ and employers‟ rights to form and join
organisations of their choice)
• Elimination of forced labour (legal sanctions and vigorous prosecution against
those who exploit forced labour rights)
• Elimination of discrimination
• Elimination of child labour (children should receive proper education and training
to become productive adults in decent employment)
Furthermore, the ILO is strongly fighting against poverty since almost half of the world‟s
workers are living below the poverty line. It is working together with the UN and the
World Bank as well as with other multinational agencies in order to reduce poverty. By
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breaking the vicious cycle of poverty, the ILO is creating new opportunities and local
wealth.
5.2.5 Question & Answer Session
After the first part of our visit to the ILO presented by Mr. von Rohland, the floor was
opened to questions raised by the students. The first question brought up attained high
appreciation of the Officer since the ILO‟s director general was recently asked a very
similar one by a reporter. In fact the question addressed the objections of Germany to the
takeover of the car manufacturer Opel by the Italian one Fiat and if it would be
recommendable to have a tripartite meeting in order to settle the disputes and clarify on
open questions. The answer was that it does not necessarily make sense to only have a
tripartite meeting in this case but an international platform for car manufacturers, their
employees and governments could be promoted.
A second question was related to the current financial
crisis. In particular it was questioned the ILO‟s measures
concerning promote jobs during this wave of dismissals.
To answer this, Mr. von Rohland highlighted two reports
that were issued in response to the crisis. The gist of
those was that national governments should not decide
alone but involve all levels concerned, i.e. also include
employers and workers. Besides, a dialogue must be
opened also on an international level in order to prevent
from single-country-protectionism. Streamlining the
various issues would be of major importance. The ILO‟s
task in case of a crisis in fact is to promote such dialogues
and to provide social security to released people. Security systems and social dialogue
must be introduced and informal groups of laid off people (that are still present also in
industrialized countries) be eliminated.
In the end the Officer draw the students‟ attention to the very well equipped library in the
ILO building which contains high-quality publications including precious and very much
detailed historical data available to the general public. The library offers information
beyond the issues related to the ILO and has people accessing from all over the world.
More detailed information about ILO‟s library in Geneva can be found under the following
link: www.ilo.org/public/english/support/lib/.
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5.3 Special Action Program to Combat Forced Labour
Date: Tuesday, May 5th
2009
Time: 12:30 pm – 1:15 pm
Topic: Forced labour and trafficking Issues
Speaker: Ms. Caroline O‟Reilly, Associate Expert
Ms. Undine Gröger, Technical Cooperation and Research
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
5.3.1 Forced Labour and Human Trafficking
“There is much worse than not being able to find work.
It’s about not being able to leave work.”
The ILO defines forced labour as work or service exacted from a person under threat or
penalty, which includes penal sanctions and the loss of rights and privileges, where the
person has not offered him or herself voluntarily. It happens when people are forced to
work by the state, private enterprises or individuals who have the will and power to do so.
Forced labour takes different forms including debt bondage, trafficking and other forms of
modern slavery. The most vulnerable victims are women and girls forced into prostitution,
migrants trapped in debt bondage, and sweatshop or farm workers kept there by clearly
illegal tactics and paid only little or nothing.
Practically, forced labour is a situation where a person is coerced to stay on a job by
threats, debts, or other forms of physical or psychological means. A person facing forced
labour is not free to leave his or her job. It has to be mentioned that a perpetrator is needed
in order being able to talk about forced labour. Forced labour is often closely interrelated
with human trafficking since trafficking is the main source for procurement of forced
labourers.
5.3.2 Key Figures
An estimated minimum of at least 12 million people worldwide are victims of forced
labour. Of those, 10 million are exploited by forced labour in the private economy, rather
than imposed directly by states. The ILO estimates that US$ 32 billion in annual profits are
generated by the forced labour of trafficked people. The composition of forced labourers is
the following: 32 % of people are economically exploited meaning utilized for manual
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work in the textile sector, on construction sites, in tourism, health care or agriculture; 43 %
are facing sexual exploitation, are forced into being prostitutes; the remaining 25 % are
coerced into a mixture of both. Concerning economic exploitation the victims are men,
women and children, whereby in the commercial sexual sector the majority of victims are
women. A further striking point to mention is that forced labour is not only a phenomenon
to be faced by developing countries or least developed countries. An amount of 360,000
people at a minimum find oneself in forced labour in industrialized countries.
5.3.3 ILO’s Strategies to Combat Forced Labour
The main measures taken by the ILO to prevent forced labour are (1) data collection – in
order to get a clear understanding of the nature and scope of forced labour, being able to
compile statistics at a national level and to develop a set of national indicators of forced
labour; (2) legal framework – development of enforceable legislation in order to foster
prosecution and impose legal sanctions; (3) labour market based measures – to monitor and
regulate the activities of recruitment agencies and labour contractors, to provide alternative
local income opportunities and skills to prospective irregular migrants and rescued victims
of trafficking and being able to make workplace inspections.
A particular strength of the ILO, compared to other International Organisations, in
addressing broader issues than only sexual exploitation when it comes to forced labour, is
that it can also harness the efforts of labour institutions and social partners to support
action against all forms of trafficking. Those partners include labour inspectors and labour
prosecutors, employment agencies and employers‟ and workers‟ organisations.
An especially important step into the right direction has been the development of the ILO‟s
Special Action Programme to Combat Forced Labour, which was created in late 2001
shortly after the adoption of the “Palermo Trafficking Protocol” to the UN Convention
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against
Transnational
Organized Crime.
Since then member
states have been
looking to the ILO
for guidance, as to
how to develop
indicators for their
police, prosecutors
and others on ways to identify forced labour situations in practice. The field of fighting
against forced labour is fairly uncharted territory, given the relative absence of
jurisprudence. However, there has been growth of forced labour prosecutions in the United
States during 2008 and the first Norwegian verdict on forced labour was passed in late
2008.
5.3.4 The Challenges Ahead
In 2005 the ILO‟s Director General, Juan Somavia, committed the organisation to leading
a global campaign against forced labour, seeking to eradicate it by 2015 as one vital
contribution to the Millennium Development Goals.
Even though there have been signs of progress, since attention to the problems has risen
and the problem of forced labour is generally more visible, there are further efforts needed
in order to achieve the set goals. By now there has been some growth in law enforcement,
on a subject which was simply hidden and underground a few years ago, and which
escaped the attention of labour inspectors and criminal justice alike. The building blocks
however are in place for an intensified global campaign against forced labour and labour
trafficking, in which the European countries are well positioned to play a prominent role.
Yet it has to be mentioned
that the grey areas
between the criminal act
of forced labour and other
morally unacceptable
forms of labour
exploitation now merit
more urgent attention after
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the dawn of the financial crisis in late 2008.
5.3.5 Question & Answer Session
After the second part, the presentation of Ms. O‟Reilly and Ms. Gröger, students were in
turn offered the opportunity to place questions. The first question posed was about the
activities directly executed by the ILO, i.e. the ILO‟s hands-on activities in the respective
areas besides data collection. Ms. Gröger explained that hands-on activities include the
making of recommendations for example on the training of labour inspectors or courts.
Besides, the ILO examines trends in order to develop new methods.
Another student asked if besides the activities in single countries there was a common
mechanism also on the European level to combat forced labour and human trafficking.
According to Ms. Gröger it is very difficult to introduce a common mechanism since there
are problems of standard enforcement even on national levels. Moldova was stated as an
example for such problems. Although the country is a member of the EU and should
therefore actually be a receiving country of people trafficked and forced, Romania still is a
sending country that lacks the proper enforcement of the standards and regulations.
A third question arose in the context of the ILO‟s power to enforce established standards
and prosecute their adherence, i.e. if there was a need of an executory body because a lack
of actions in certain countries. In this sense, reference was made to the OSCE
(Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe), which deals with those issues.
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5.3.6 Internship Opportunities
After the informative Question & Answer Sessions, Mr. Bajrektarevic raised the issue of
internship possibilities for the students. Mr. von Rohland explained that the ILO is offering
internships for students. In this concern it was advised to apply directly to the respective
departments and to state precisely the areas of one‟s interest. The duration of internships
varies from three to six months and is especially attractive due to the remuneration which
has recently been introduced. Furthermore Mr. von Rohland mentioned that the ILO
welcomes Junior Professional Officers (JPOs). A JPO is a person employed for a two to
five-year term and is paid by his or her national government. The JPO programme provides
monetary supported to young associated experts in the ILO which is granted under certain
conditions by almost all EU countries.
Concerning internship opportunities in the area of forced labour and human trafficking,
Ms. Gröger stated that applications by students are always welcomed. A possible way
would be to address her directly or to post an application on the central platform. The
applicant should however state Conventions and divisions of interest when applying for an
internship and be an outstanding candidate fitting to the Organisation and contributing to
its overall quality.
Detailed information about employment opportunities at the ILO and internships in
particular can be found on the following web site:
www.ilo.org/public/english/bureau/pers/vacancy/index.htm.
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5.4 Austrian Mission to the International Organisations in Geneva
Date: Tuesday, May 5th
2009
Time: 03:15 pm – 05:30 pm
Topic: Mission Briefing
Speaker: Ms. Christina Kokkinakis, Minister Plenipotentiary, Chargé d‟Affaires a.i.
Ms. Brigitte Lüth, Attaché
Ms. Eva Schöfer, First Secretary
Ms. Julia Wimmer, Intern
Dr. Helmut Friza, Minister Plenipotentiary
Mr. Markus Weidinger, First Secretary
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
5.4.1 Introduction
The Permanent Mission of Austria to the United Nations and Specialized Agencies in
Geneva gave us the highly interesting opportunity to be part of a mission briefing in the
afternoon of our second day in Geneva. The briefing that took place in the premises of the
Council of the European Union (so called „Blue Box‟) was characterised by highly
interesting speeches on widely diversified topics. Ms. Christina Kokkinakis, Minister
Plenipotentiary and Chargé d‟Affaires a.i. introduced the briefing by elaborating on the
main tasks of the Austrian Mission in Geneva. Ms. Julia Wimmer, an IMC student doing
her internship at the Austrian Mission, gave us an overview on the newly emerging
influenza. This was followed by a briefing on the WTO hold by Ms. Brigitte Lüth, Attaché.
Furthermore, Ms. Eva Schöfer, First Secretary (Human Rights) and Mr. Markus
Weidinger, First Secretary (Humanitarian Affairs) gave well-structured presentations on
their respective fields of expertise.
We rapidly recognised that the Austrian delegation in Geneva was present in nearly full
members, which eventually allowed us to gain an insight into all fields the Austrian
Mission works on. We, as IMC students, are particularly grateful not only for this, but also
for the opportunity to ask more personal questions in the informal part of the meeting,
which was organised as a small reception by the Austrian Mission. This additionally eased
the already comfortable atmosphere due to which we were able to address the highly
valued hosts with questions on their educational backgrounds and life in Geneva.
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5.4.2 Tasks of the Austrian Mission in Geneva
The first part of the presentation,
held by Minister Plenipotentiary,
Deputy Permanent Representative
Kokkinakis was dedicated to the
work tasks of the Austrian Mission
in Geneva. The permanent Mission
of Austria to the UN and Specialized
Agencies based in Geneva acts as an
intermediary and representative
between the Austrian government
and the institutions in Geneva.
A permanent mission generally performs multilateral relations between a state and
International Organisations or other representations as opposed to an embassy that
executes bilateral relations between two states. The importance of the communication
between the organisations and the Federal Governments in form of the Mission is crucial to
uphold constructive relationships on a multilateral basis. Ms. Kokkinakis further on
presented the division of work in the Permanent Mission with the help of an informative
organisational chart as well as the speakers and their respective fields of activities.
Major fields of concern include the UN specialized agencies – especially Health, Human
Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, Economic and Development affairs –, Disarmament, the
World Trade Organisation (WTO) as well as the European Organisation for Nuclear
Research (CERN). Main issues and responsibilities of the Austrian mission comprise
among others the maintenance of liaison between Austria and the various organisations in
Geneva, the promotion and representation of Austrian interests, active participation in
negotiation and decision making processes and finally the reporting on activities to the
Austrian Federal government.
5.4.3 Briefing on the New Influenza
Following to the very lively introduction, Ms. Julia Wimmer on behalf of Dr. Helmut
Friza, Liaison Officer WHO, started her presentation on a health issue that is currently
keeping busy vast parts of the world, the arising H1N1 influenza. She gave us an update on
the current situation, the risks and challenges, an outlook as well as prevention measures.
Furthermore, she mentioned the number of infected people in the respective countries. In
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order to get the disease under control, the WHO is working closely and intensively
together with the US CDC (Center for Disease Control) as to develop a proper vaccine.
This is necessary as the virus is a mutation that has never been seen before. The fact that it
is transmissible from one human being to another incurs the risk of a pandemic.
However, the WHO advises that no restrictions of regular travel or closure of borders is
necessary, taking into consideration the present development of the disease. Individuals are
strongly asked to wash hands thoroughly and regularly with soap and water and to consult
a doctor immediately in case any symptoms of influenza-like illnesses occur. As the
symptoms of A/H1N1 virus are similar to those of usual seasonal flues and severe
pneumonia the disease is difficult to detect. The risk of infection from consumption of
well-cooked pork and pork products is practically eliminated.
In order to sum up the threat of this disease, the speaker highlighted that it is of vital
importance for all states to increase and enhance their surveillance and to immediately
report on unusual outbreaks of influenza-like illnesses and severe pneumonia. Whereas the
opportunity for global solidarity should be considered a major issue in this respect, close
cooperation is crucial at this very moment.
The questions and answers period was shaped by the prevailing circumstances in
combination with the emergence of the H1N1 influenza. Dr. Helmut Friza as the person in
charge of health affairs at the Austrian Mission was able to paint a picture of the
predominant situation, including an outlook and statement on the security measures being
undertaken by the competence centres in the underlying field. Our Mexican exchange
student showed particular interest in the importance of medical treatment and Dr. Friza
explained that Tamiflu should not be taken preventively, but only if a doctor prescribes it
after detecting the virus.
5.4.4 Representing Austria at the World Trade Organization
As a part of the briefing at the Permanent Mission of Austria, the World Trade
Organization (WTO) was the next point on the agenda. The WTO department at the
Permanent Mission of Austria to the UN acts as the representative of Austria at EU
Coordination meetings in Geneva and Brussels. Participation in WTO meetings is a main
responsibility, as well as reporting to and coordinating with Vienna and Brussels. The
World Trade Organisation as a whole deals, on behalf of its 153 members, with the rules of
trade between nations at a global level, mainly GATT, GATS and TRIPS. It was
established in 1995 as a result of General Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and
the outcomes of the Uruguay Round. Being the highest authority, the ministerial
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conference takes place every two years, whereas the General Council, that acts as the
central operative body, meets three or four times a year. Since 1 October 2005, Pascal
Lamy from France is appointed director general. In September 2009, he was reelected for
the next period. Mr. Lamy works closely together with the secretariat of the WTO, which
comprises approximately 650 employees. In order to finance the operations, the WTO had
a budget of about 185 Mio. CHF at disposal in 2008. The Austrian contribution amounted
to 2.5 Mio. CHF.
The main responsibilities of the WTO are the reduction and elimination of tariffs and other
trade barriers, as well as the integration of developing countries into the multilateral
trading systems. In order to achieve the mentioned objectives, the WTO administrates
existing agreements, acts as a negotiating forum for further liberalization of current trade
rules and for new agreements, and enforces trade rules through dispute settlement. The
functioning of the WTO is based on the most-favoured nation treatment, national treatment
and legal certainty. The WTO is a member-driven organisation. This approach is pointed
out by its organisation principles. Proposals are submitted by the member states and all
decisions are taken by consensus. Thereafter, the results of a negotiation have to be ratified
by the parliaments of the member states.
After this general information of the
organisation and its main goals and tasks,
the Austrian mandate and influence became
a major point of interest. The EU with its
member states acts in broad consent at the
WTO, meaning the joint collaboration in the
common European market also implies joint
agreement on trade issues being discussed at
the World Trade Organisation („one voice,
27 votes‟). Therefore the procedure concerning the objectives of reduction and elimination
of tariffs and other trade barriers, as well as the integration of developing countries into the
multilateral trading system is achieved on a common EU basis.
Last but not least, Ms. Lüth focused on the Doha round which was launched in 2001.
Despite several setbacks in the past years, the objective is to finish the round by the end of
2009. Main issues of the current round are agriculture, NAMA (Non Agricultural Market
Access), services, and development issues. In this context, special focus is put on the needs
of developing countries in all negotiating areas, and countries enjoying special and
differential treatment will be included into existing trade agreements.
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After her informative speech Ms. Lüth invited the students from Krems to pose questions.
Several students made use of this unique possibility and we were therefore able to gather
even more information. One of the main topics in the discussion was the Doha round and
Ms. Lüth‟s personal view and impressions of the outcomes and developments of this
round, as well as the relevant issues for Austria in the negotiations, and the spread and
treatment of biotechnical products, including genetically modified corn. In addition, she
answered upcoming questions regarding the reaction of the WTO to the new protectionism
due to the financial crisis. Another point of concern was the imposition of sanctions by the
dispute settlement body of the WTO.
5.4.5 Thematic Focus on Human Rights
Ms. Schöfer, First Secretary, started the presentation about Human Rights with a brief
introduction into the international Human Rights architecture and the activities for the
protection of Human Rights by the UN, Austria, the Council of Europe and the EU as well
as NGOs.
The main part of the presentation focused on the UN‟s activities concerning Human Rights
and the various conventional („Treaty-based‟) and extra conventional („Charter-based‟)
mechanisms within the system. Ms. Schöfer highlighted the importance and scope of work
of the Human Rights Council (HRC), which is the main organ within the UN dealing
specifically with Human Rights, and provided us with a good overview about the different
bodies and decision mechanisms. She emphasized the instruments of the Council and the
importance of independent experts and working groups that are established by the HRC.
Another focus was the Human Rights and the United Nations Office of the High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), which is the main UN organ in Human Rights
promotion and protection and which has its office in Palais Wilson in Geneva.
Ms. Schöfer elaborated also on the current topics concerning Human Rights and the UN.
These included the Durban Review Conference 2009 that has just finished, the 5th
session
of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), which took place from the 4th
until the 15th
of
May 2009, and the different country mandates. Moreover, she expressed the UN‟s concern
about the current new law on family rights in Afghanistan, which obliges women to have
regular sexual relation with their husbands.
The last part of Ms. Schöfer‟s presentation concerned Austria‟s thematic focus and the
country‟s representation within the international system of Human Rights. She highlighted
the importance of Human Rights within the European Union and explained the role of the
Commission in UN meetings. The topic Human Rights is part of the second pillar of the
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EU (common foreign and security policy) and the Commission represents the 27 EU
member states in the UN Human Rights meetings. Furthermore, the role of non-
governmental organisations with regard to Human Rights was mentioned. There are
numerous NGOs present in Geneva, e.g. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and
others. They participate as well in the UN activities, which is widely supported by Austria
and the EU.
After this very interesting presentation about Human Rights and the UN, Ms. Schöfer gave
us as well the opportunity to raise questions. As she finished her speech with some insights
into the activities of the EU concerning Human Rights and the Commission‟s role in UN
meetings, the question about the influence of a single EU member state within those
meetings arouse. Ms. Schöfer explained in more detail the importance of the European
Commission in the UN meetings. She highlighted that the single country‟s interests are
firstly discussed within the Commission itself by all commissioners of the various member
states. This common approach of the 27 member states is then represented by the
Commission at the UN meetings.
5.4.6 Humanitarian Affairs
The last speaker we had the pleasure to talk to was Mr. Markus Weidinger, the First
Secretary for Humanitarian, Migration and Financial issues. He is the person responsible
for the proper representation of Austria to many international institutions dealing with
humanitarian affairs and development plans for aid-seeking countries.
At the beginning of his speech, Mr. Weidinger introduced us to his daily work and
described how the daily-processes of his team look like. He also mentioned the complex
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environment of working in connection with humanitarian issues. All the organisations in
Geneva that are supposed to assist in humanitarian and development affaires have different
set-ups and bodies that have different decision making processes and working patterns. He
explained that sometimes it is not easy for national representatives to provide help in a
specific matter, as there are many organisations involved that need to coordinate their
activities to react as quickly and accurately as possible to problems.
This coordination among all parties can consume a lot of time, which is rather scarce,
when humanitarian crises occur. Nevertheless, Mr. Weidinger also appreciated that there
has already been a lot of progress in the coordination of aid-organisations under a so-called
cluster approach. This approach is designed to assign specific tasks to specific
organisations in order to use the strengths of each organisation for the benefit of the
people. For example in case of an earthquake, one organisation is providing food rations
for the refugees, another is offering tents and shelter and another one is assisting in the
medical care.
After this general introduction to the work processes in connection with humanitarian
organisations, Mr. Weidinger explained briefly the most important organisations in which
he is representing Austria. Those are UNHCR, IOM, and OCHA. He also mentioned ICRC
and IFRC, but those organisations are treated in detail in another chapter.
The first organisation he explained to us was the UNHCR (United Nations High
Commission for Refugees). This affiliated organisation to the UN is responsible for
refugee affairs, but also for internally displaced people (IDP) who are quasi refugees but
never crossed the border of their home nation. Within this organisation the Human Rights
and the adequate treatment of refugees are supported, as well as the proper treatment and
integration of IDPs, returnees and stateless persons.
Another organisation Mr. Weidinger presented is particularly important for a migration
country like Austria, namely the IOM (International Organisation for Migration). This
entity was created outside the system of the UN and defines its goals to assure and promote
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humane management and integration of migrants
and affiliated problems. Finally, we also had a
brief look into the basic activities of OCHA
(Offices for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian
Affairs). This rather small organisation is
responsible for the coordination of humanitarian
relief and coordination.
As also mentioned in the beginning, Mr.
Weidinger again stressed the importance of these organisations and their work for people
in troubles, as they mainly finance their activities by voluntary donations and the work of
volunteers. He repeated their importance for Austria and the high commitment of the
country to humanitarian affairs. Here, the special priorities of Austria are the abolishment
of mines, the support of women and children as well as of IDPs.
Unfortunately, due to the time pressure and our already noticeable delay, there was no
possibility to ask specific questions concerning the presentation and the organisations, but
fortunately we had the chance to catch up with all the burning questions at the following
fantastic reception. The only topic we were able to elaborate was the role of the European
Commission on migration issues in Austria. Mr. Weidinger was able to explain the
underlying situation in Austria and he was capable of discussing this sensitive issue in a
way that Austria is in the challenging situation requiring high devotion of policymakers to
meet the demands of all parties involved.
5.4.7 Internship Opportunities
Due to the well-established relations of the IMC, and here particularly Professor
Bajrektarevic, with the Austrian Mission in Geneva, there is a regular intake of IMC
interns (with Austrian nationality) within the representation. Unfortunately, the interns at
the mission do not receive any monetary compensation for their work, but they can benefit
from an exclusive insight into the daily work of the mission and have the opportunity to
become a full member of the team in representation of their home nation.
Ms. Kokkinakis also mentioned the under-representation of Austrians in many UN
organisations (WHO, WIPO, UNHCR) and others (IOM) and encouraged us to participate
in the applications for positions in those organisations. To work for those organisations,
there are two possibilities: either you apply directly to the organisations and go through
their recruitment procedures, or you participate in a program by the Austrian Ministry for
European Relations and International Affairs. You have to take and exam and if you pass
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this and are selected as a candidate, you are privileged to participate in a maximal two
years work programme in an UN organisation.
The profile of the ideal candidate working for the Austrian Mission or any UN organisation
would be:
• Flexibility: prove for the flexibility, maybe through work in or travelling through
Africa or Asia
• Languages: especially eastern European languages as well as Chinese
• Field experience: at best under any UN volunteers programme
To sum up the requirements for a potential career in the Austrian Mission or any
International Organisation, Dr. Friza recommended the students to gather experience in
field work, whether in association with a UN institution or a NGO. He told us „better to do
something meaningful without monetary compensation instead of doing nothing and waste
the time.‟
5.4.8 Reception
The formal part of the briefing at the Austrian
Mission was concluded by a reception including
intense discussions with the speakers. Some
students used this perfect opportunity to speak
about internship possibilities within the Austrian
Mission. The comfortable and inviting
atmosphere created by the reception also enabled
the students to collect some opinions and hints
regarding the life in Geneva as well as the educational background needed to start working
at the Austrian Mission. It was interesting to hear some more details about the typical
working days of the representatives, which was discussed informally among the students
and the speakers. In this context it should be pointed out that
the possibility to gain a theoretical but highly interesting
inside view of the work and scope of the Austrian Mission in
combination with the highly appreciated reception that was
offered by the distinguished persons, should be credited high
gratefulness. Hence, we would like to deeply thank the
speakers and mission staff that took part in the briefing as well
as helped to prepare this event for their time devoted. On
behalf of the whole group, we would like to especially thank
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all members of the Mission, who dedicated their valuable time and efforts even for the
inofficial part, in form of the reception, after the speeches.
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6 WEDNESDAY, MAY 6TH
2009
6.1 Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development
(OECD)
Date: Wednesday, May 6th
2009
Time: 03:00 pm – 03:10 pm
Topic: Welcome OECD
Speaker: by H.E. Dr. Franz Fischler, former Minister and the EU Commissioner for
Agriculture
Time: 03:10 pm – 04:15 pm
Topic: History, Structure, Scope of Work and Membership
Speaker: Mr. Christoph Mayer, Attaché Austrian Delegation to the OECD
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), based in Paris, is
one of the world‟s major and most reliable providers of comparable statistics and economic
and social data. Due to numerous researches in the field of economics and public policy,
the OECD is one of the world‟s leading publishers of reports and forecasts in that area. Mr.
Christoph Mayer, Attaché of the Austrian Delegation to the OECD, gave us a brief insight
into the organisation‟s mission, goals, structure, members, areas of work and
achievements, followed by an overview of the role of the Austrian Delegation and a
discussion at the end.
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6.1.1 History
Historically, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
developed out of the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC) that was
set up in 1948 to assist the European Economy to recover from the disturbances and
impacts of World War II.
Its primary purpose was to execute the “European Recovery Programme”, also known as
the “Marshall Plan by distributing about 13 billion USD which had been provided by the
United States under the presidency of Harry Truman.
In September 1961, the OECD became the official
successor of the OEEC with 19 foundation
members, among them, the United States and
Canada as non-European members.
With the scope of work becoming more global,
several countries, such as Finland, Japan, Australia
and New Zealand joined the organisation between
1964 and 1970. This expansion was followed by Mexico, the Czech Republic, Hungary,
Poland, Korea and the Slovak Republic.
Today, the OECD consists of 30 member countries (namely: Australia, Austria, Belgium,
Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United
Kingdom, United States), over has close work relations with more than 70 countries as
well as co-operations with major international partners such as the World Trade
Organisation (WTO) and the European Union (EU). Just recently the OECD invited Chile,
Estonia, Israel, Russia and Slovenia to join as full members and offered enhanced
engagement, with a view to possible membership, to Brazil, China, India, Indonesia and
South Africa.
6.1.2 General Overview
As mentioned above, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
(OECD) was officially founded in 1960, and came into force on 30th
of September 1961 as
an intergovernmental economic organisation composed of currently thirty member
countries. The Head quarter of the OECD is situated in Paris, at the Châteu de la Muette.
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The OECD‟s credo is to stand for democracy and market economy. Further areas of
activity include providing information and guidance on the topics of trade and structural
adjustment, as well as reducing poverty in developing countries.
One way to achieve its goals is to help governments to respond quickly to new
developments, by providing a forum for the exchange of experiences and methods of
resolution, including the coordination of domestic and international policies.
Another field of activity is the allocation of data concerning more than one hundred
developing countries and emerging market economies like China, South Africa, India,
Brazil and Mexico.
6.1.3 Aims
The OECD has defined its core principles in the “Convention on the Organisation for
Economic Co-operation and Development”, which has been signed by every member
state. They include the intent to:
• Maintain financial stability
• Raise living standards
• Contribute to growth in world trade
• Support governments to sustainable economic growth
• Boost employment
• Assist other countries‟ economic development
6.1.4 Organisation
6.1.4.1 The Council
The decision making power lies within the OECD Council. It is made up of one
representative per member country, plus a representative of the European Commission.
These decisions are achieved via regular council meetings at the level of permanent
representatives to the OECD and are taken by consensus. The Council meets at a
ministerial level once a year to discuss key issues and set priorities for OECD work.
6.1.4.2 Committees
In order to progress ideas and cooperate on areas, such as economics, trade, science,
employment, education or financial markets the comities provide a forum for discussion
and co-operation.
There are about 200 committees, working groups and expert groups, equipped with a total
of 40,000 senior officials. These officials are dispatched by the national administrations.
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6.1.4.3 The Secretariat
The Secretariat in Paris is made up of about 2,500 staff members, who support the
activities of the committees. These employees, which include economists, lawyers,
scientists and other professionals, carry out the work in response to priorities decided by
the OECD Council.
Currently the OECD Secretariat is headed by Mr. Angel Gurría, who is assisted by one or
more Deputy Secretaries-General.
6.1.5 Question & Answer Session
The presentation was followed by a lively discussion. The focus of the questions raised
was primarily on issues concerning the OECD itself. Mr. Mayer answered questions
regarding the OECD‟s relation to the BRIC-countries and its interest in incorporating these
into the organisation. Another issue that arose in the discussion was the OECD‟s role in
helping the countries, which are heavily affected by the current financial and economic
crisis, namely Hungary and Iceland.
6.1.6 Internship Opportunities
At the end, our professor Dr. Anis
Bajrektarevic raised a question regarding
employment and internship possibilities
at the OECD. Although Austria is
underrepresented in the OECD, as Mr.
Mayer told us, it is currently very hard to
obtain a position within the organisation.
An employment requires excellent
economic knowledge since very much
expert work is done. Current job offers
can be found under www.oecd.org/hrm/vacancies. Furthermore, in the career section of the
organisation‟s website (www.oecd.org/hrm) one can apply for an internship by directly
contacting the department of interest. Internships at the OECD vary in duration and
payment, however, the usual duration of internships is six months but can be extended to
up to 18 months. In this context it is to note that applicants only qualify for an internship
position if they are citizens of one of the OECD countries.
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6.2 Permanent Delegation of Austria to the OECD
Date: Wednesday, May 6th
2009
Time: 03:00 pm – 04:00 pm
Topic: Role and Function of the Austrian Delegation
Speaker: Mr. Christoph Mayer, Attaché Austrian Delegation to the OECD
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
The general overview of the OECD was
followed by a definition of the role of the
Permanent Delegation of Austria to the
OECD (hereafter referred to as Austrian
Mission). In his presentation, Mr.
Christoph Mayer outlined the structure
and the role of the Austrian Mission.
6.2.1 Role and Responsibilities of
the Austrian Mission
Each of the 30 OECD-member states is represented at the organisation in Paris by several
representatives and delegates. The fundamental role of the Austrian Mission is to act as a
linkage between the OECD Secretariat and national authorities.
Furthermore, the Austrian Mission promotes Austria‟s national interests in multilateral
negotiations. It basically aims at ensuring a good fit between the OECD´s work and their
country‟s interests. As a further point, it informs about current developments of the OECD-
programmes of work.
The Austrian Mission is composed of one ambassador and several diplomats. At present,
Mr. Wolfgang Petritsch is Austria‟s ambassador. He was appointed by the Austrian Federal
Chancellery on March 4, 2008. Mr. Petritsch, in consultation with his peers, has the
responsibility to agree on the programme of work, validate strategic work and establish the
volume of the annual budget.
6.2.2 Question & Answer Session
At the beginning of the discussion round, Mr. Mayer explained how the Austrian Mission
is composed. In concrete terms, the Delegation consists of 14 diplomatic staff, which are
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mostly specialists from a variety of ministries such as the Ministry for Finance, the
Ministry for Agriculture, the Ministry for Economy, Family and Youth and, of course, the
Federal Chancellery itself.
A question that was raised in this context concerned the Austrian competences within the
OECD. According to Mr. Mayer, Austria‟s major competences within the OECD focus on
agriculture, renewable energies and investments.
For further information about the Austrian Mission, Mr. Mayer recommended us the
following links: www.oecd.org, www.oecd.org/Austria, www.bka.gv.at/oecd.
6.2.3 Internship Opportunities
With regards to the Austrian Mission, Mr. Mayer talked about employment possibilities
directly at the Permanent Delegation of Austria to the OECD. The Austrian Mission offers
traineeships, which are generally unpaid. Applications for traineeships, starting earliest by
July 2010, can be forwarded directly to Mr. Mayer ([email protected]). Another
important fact to mention is that one has to hold the citizenship of one of the OECD-
Members in order to be considered for an internship position.
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6.3 International Energy Agency (IEA)
Date: Wednesday, May 6th
2009
Time: 04:15 pm – 05:30 pm
Topic: IEA – An Overview (incl. Question & Answer Period)
Speaker: Ms. Rebecca Gaghen, Head, Communication and Information Office (IEA)
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
6.3.1 General Information
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has been facing challenges since more than 30
years, or in other words, since the break-up of the Soviet Union, China‟s emergence as a
major world power as well as the danger of nowadays‟ terrorism. Broadly speaking, there
is hardly another good, which changes swifter than energy such as crude oil and natural
gas.
The foundation of the IEA was initiated because of the first global oil shock in 1973 due to
the war in the Middle East region. As a result the oil price was doubled by the OPEC
member states, furthermore, there was an embargo announced on the United States of
America (USA) and The Netherlands due to their support of Israel during the conflicts.
Hence, the former national security adviser of US President Richard Nixon, Henry A.
Kissinger – who was supported by two Belgium economists, created the idea of the IEA
and put much effort into the project in order to turn the idea into reality.
On November 15, 1974 the OECD Council adopted the idea of the IEA and agreed
mutually on the establishment of the IEA which has been seen as “Energy NATO”.
Consequently, 16 member countries entered into a binding Agreement on an International
Energy Program – the IEA‟s treaty. Ulf Lantzke, a senior German official, was the first
Executive Director of the IEA and guided the organisation through its first decade until
1984.
The core mission of the IEA is the maintenance of energy security in order to prevent an
oil crisis; a tool for guaranteeing the object are strategic oil stocks mandatorily maintained
by Member countries being constantly monitored and refilled. Stocks have been released in
1991, under Lantzke‟s German successor, Helga Steeg, during the first Gulf War and again
in 2006 during two hurricanes in the United States, Katrina and Rita. In total, the IEA
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counts 28 industrialised Member states, including Austria; however, the IEA has ongoing
dialogues with non-Member countries such as China and India on many energy issues,
including global warming and climate change. Renewable energy plus efficient use of
energy is seen to be vital to protect the environment as an essential component to secure
energy security, energy protection, and economic growth.
The IEA is an autonomous agency based in Paris and linked with the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The IEA budget, independently voted
on by its Governing Board, is a separate part of the OECD budget. Only OECD member
countries can become Member countries of the IEA, but the IEA is working together with
non-OECD member states and also is closely cooperating with the G-8. The main focus of
the joint IEA G-8 Programme is on climate change, clean energy and sustainable
development.
During the presentation of Ms.
Nancy Turck, she stressed that it is
important not to confuse the IEA
with the IAEA, the International
Atomic Energy Agency, which is a
UN organisation based in Vienna
that works on nuclear proliferation
and security issues.
Furthermore, Ms. Turck spoke
about the IEA treaty, which is the
Agreement on an International
Energy Program (I.E.P.Agreement).
The IEA Member countries‟ commitments include: to maintain emergency oil reserves
equivalent to at least 90 days of the prior year‟s net oil imports, to make stocks available if
necessary and if all Member countries agree on a coordinated stock draw; to have ready a
programme of demand restraint measures; and to participate in an oil allocation in a severe
supply disruption (as defined in the treaty) through IEP emergency measures. When the
IEA was first created, it represented the key energy consuming nations. This is no longer
the case – especially as 80% of growth in energy demand over the next two decades is
expected to take place outside of the OECD. All of the above mentioned issues are to help
the IEA Member countries achieve their energy policy objectives, which are set out in
what is called their Shared Goals.
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6.3.2 Key Areas of Work
• Emergency Preparedness is part of the I.E.P. Agreement, which enables
coordinated and collective action by requiring IEA countries to hold oil stocks
equivalent to at least 90 days of their respective prior year‟s net oil imports and to
release stocks, restrain demand, switch to other fuels, increase domestic
production and, if necessary, share available oil in a timely and coordinated
manner in the event of a significant oil supply disruption;
• Oil Markets are constantly being analyzed and monitored. Additionally, the IEA
makes current market assessments, covering the following issues: oil exploration
and production developments; supply, demand, price and refining trends; OECD
stocks; and international trade in crude and products;
• The IEA has initiated an annual Natural Gas Market Review which examines
developments and projects trends in international gas markets;
• Policy Analysis (every four years the policies of individual member countries are
reviewed in-depth by their peers) and Co-operation among IEA Member States;
• The annual World Energy Outlook (WEO) is a leading source for medium- to
long-term energy market projections, extensive statistics, analysis and advice for
both governments and the energy business;
• Global Energy Dialogue with non-member countries and International
Organisations;
• Fostering Energy Technology Innovation;
• Energy Technology Network is made up of 41 implementing agreements, which
form the framework for the international co-ordination on key areas of energy
technology;
• Energy Efficiency offers a powerful and cost-effective tool for achieving a
sustainable energy future;
• Energy and Environment: main focus on climate change;
• The IEA is the world‟s leading source of energy statistics.
6.3.3 Future Trends
In the most recent WEO – an analysis of global energy trends to 2030 – the world´s
primary energy demand in the Reference Scenario (RS) (in which government policies are
assumed to remain unchanged from mid-2007) is projected to grow by 55% between 2005
and 2030 (average annual rate of 1.8%). Demand reaches 17.7 billion tones of oil
equivalent, compared with 11.4 billion tones in 2005.
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The pace of demand growth slackens progressively over the projection period, from 2.3%
per year in 2005-2015 to 1.4% per year in 2015-2030. Demand grew by 1.8% per year in
1980-2005. Fossil fuels – oil, gas and coal – remain the dominant sources of primary
energy worldwide.
The RS takes account of those government policies and measures that were enacted or
adopted up to mid-2008, but not new ones, providing a baseline against which the extent to
which we need to change course can be quantified. World primary energy demand
projected in RS grows by 45% from 2006 to 2030, average annual increase of 1.6% per
year – driven by rising population and GDP. Demand reaches 17 billion tones in 2030 from
11.7 billion tonnes in 2006.
Demand grows at a slower rate than projected in WEO-2007, mainly due to higher energy
prices and slightly slower economic growth – as well as new government policies to curb
demand and emissions growth.
By 2030, oil-import dependence will increase in China, OECD Europe, European Union
and India, but will decrease in OECD North America, the United States, and OECD
Pacific. The situation with gas demand will also change considerably: it will increase in the
Middle East, Asia, OECD North America, Latin America, and slightly in Africa, but will
diminish in Eastern Europe and Eurasia, OECD Europe and OECD Pacific.
Furthermore, most of the increase in the use of renewable energy sources is for generating
electricity. The share of renewable energy in total electricity generation worldwide rises
from 18% in 2006 to almost 23% in 2030 in the RS, with renewables overtaking gas to
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become the second-largest source of power generation. Hydropower remains the biggest
source of renewables-based power, while the contribution of other types of renewables –
essentially wind and solar power – increases substantially (from 2% in 2006 to 9% in
2030).
For over 20 years, energy experts from around the world have been participating in the
IEA Energy Technology Collaboration Program, advancing the research, development,
demonstration and deployment of energy technologies. Currently, more than 5,000
scientists, engineers, policy-makers and industry experts from governments, research
institutes, universities, and energy technology companies are involved in the 40 voluntary,
jointly funded research groups.
6.3.4 Question & Answer Session
After the presentation of Ms. Turck the floor was open for various questions from the
students‟ side. The first question raised concerned the role of the IEA during the gas
conflict between Russia and the Ukraine.
The IEA in general assumed a minor role during the gas conflict as the institution by its
means is only responsible for the regulation of oil related issues. It could ease the overall
oil supply in the market by referring to the
safety stocks of each of its member countries.
The IEA therefore had no reason or no
instrument to intervene in the conflict and
could only assist the European Union in
giving advice. The situation would have been
different if the gas would have been supplied
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in liquid form because this would fall under the responsibilities of the IEA. As a future
perspective the IEA considers to enlarge their range of duties to the gas market to prevent
such issues in the near future and to further harmonize the market.
Another question was raised why China has not been a
member of the IEA yet and what were actually the
motivating benefits for China to become a member of
the IEA? According to Ms. Turck one cannot just see the
OPEC as the party of the oil provider and the IEA as the
party for the oil consumer, because she pointed out the
there are various mutual projects together with OPEC,
furthermore, the oil producing companies (such as Shell,
BP, etc.) have their origins in IEA countries. With
reference to China and India, which will demand most
oil in future, there is a special interest to gather them as
new members; however, both countries have not applied
yet. If China was a full member of the IEA, then it would also enjoy oil security for at least
90 days. Although, China owns crude oil, it imports much of OPEC oil due to the better
quality. Therefore, oil security is an important issue also for oil producing countries such
as China and Norway etc. Moreover, the IEA supports member countries in investment
projects plus environmental issues which increases the production efficiency. Ultimately,
IEA countries have the most know-how and experience in oil drilling.
The last question was raised by the Prof. Bajrektarevic. He approached Ms. Turck on her
opinion about the de-carbonization. According to Ms. Turck, it is going to take quite a long
time and there is a strong need for more research in this area. She stressed that a lot of
work in this area is supported by voluntary contributions and is dependent on the grants.
6.3.5 Internship Opportunities
Concerning internships the IEA encourages motivated students with backgrounds related to
IEA work to participate and submit their CVs to the institution.
This can be done over a formal way set by the IEA itself. The IEA manages the internships
itself although the appointment letter comes from the OECD. For further consultation the
respective links and information will be provided on the IEA´s homepage. The following
link will be attached to make the application process faster. The link
www.iea.org/about/job.htm will lead the applicant to the job section of the IEA.
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7 THURSDAY, MAY 7TH
2009
7.1 International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Date: Thursday, May 7th
2009
Time: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Topic: History and scope of work of ICC, ADR, DOCDEX, Expertise, Dispute Board, role
of the Court and the ICC arbitration rules
Speakers: Emily O‟Connor, Loïc Coutelier
Mathilde Vital-Durand
Katharine Bernet
Jérôme Auchère
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
The ICC was created in October 1919 at the International Trade Conference in Atlantic
City, New Jersey, by a group of industrialists, financiers and traders. According to the
Preamble of the Constitution of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) the
organisation defines its major objective as it is “to further the development of an open
world economy with the firm conviction that international commercial exchanges are
conducive to both greater global prosperity and peace among nations”. In the light of this
purpose the following principle aims can be seen:
Firstly “the promotion of international trade services and investment” targets the
elimination of obstacles to global business like tariffs or import quotas. Secondly the
“promotion of a market economy” aims to enforce the principle of free and faire
competition among business entities. Finally the ICC works on the fostering of the
“economic growth of developed and developing countries” by an enhanced integration of
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all countries in the world economy.
The ICC currently claims a membership of over 7000 companies and business associations
in more than 130 countries worldwide. The member companies stem from all different
kinds of industries comprise everything from SMEs to multinational corporations.
The ICC headquarter is located in Paris, where about 130 staff members are working on
daily issues. The organisation‟s turnover makes up some 21 million Euros a year.
Revenues are obtained by contributions of the National Committees, publications and
business seminars.
On our last day of visiting organisations in Paris, we had the great opportunity to hear
presentations by ICC staff members in order to get insight knowledge of the organisation.
Ms. Emily O´Connor gave us a brief overview of the history, the role, the members of the
ICC as well as the most important achievements of the ICC- Department of Policy and
Business Practice. Mr. Coutelier closely elaborated on issues related to the ICC-
Arbitration and the according rules. Ms. Vital-Durand followed by presenting the ADR,
Expertise and Dispute Boards. Ms. Katharine Bernet presented the ICC Events department
and the ICC Institute of World Business Law. Mr. Auchère concluded our visit with a
presentation of the World Chambers Federation.
7.1.1 ICC and the Department of Policy and Business Practice
After giving a brief overview of the history, the role
and the members if the ICC, Ms. O‟Connor informally
spoke about the most important achievements of the
ICC- Department of Policy and Business Practice to
which she is personally committed.
The aim of the ICC rule setting is to provide guidance
by issuing example contracts for international business
operations. UCP 600, or UCP 700 in its revised form,
is a highly important basis for bank guarantees like
letters of credit, which are established to ensure
payment under an export contract.
Ms. O‟Connor elaborated in great detail on the
probably most important publication of the ICC – the
INCOTERMS. This set of example provisions offer clear guidelines for export contracts of
sales of goods. It was emphasised, that sales of goods is the only purpose of the
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INCOTERMS. Nevertheless they are also frequently used for other export contracts, which
is a clear misinterpretation. According to Ms. O‟Connor the ICC faces the challenge, how
to facilitate the application of the INCOTERMS, as they are often used in an inaccurate
way.
ICC rules are generally revised periodically, which has also been the case with the
INCOTERMS. However revisions of such widely used publications also impose a certain
disruption on users, as they have to adapt to the changes. As a result revisions should now
be kept to a minimum and only important amendments shall be done.
Another challenge for the ICC is seen in fighting counterfeit goods. Product piracy has
already reached all kinds of industrial and consumer goods including medicines, fertilizers
and other chemical products. As a result these goods might have much more serious
consequences than “usual” counterfeits like luxury designer goods. As penalties are
internationally very low, the ICC tries to target consumers in order to build consciousness.
As a basic matter of research the ICC employs focus groups all around the world, to
identify motives and the level of information of consumers of counterfeit goods.
In the following the group had the possibilities to raise questions:
The first question asked about the personal educational background of Ms. O‟Connor and
the requirements for her job. Ms. O‟Connor is licensed lawyer with international expertise
but following a common public interest, which is the most important requisite for a job in
any International Organisation.
Following a question about internship opportunities, Ms. O‟Connor mentioned that at least
in the Paris headquarters interns are taken on a frequent basis, but are only paid low
compensation. Nevertheless in this respect all national committees are independent.
Another question addressed the ICC‟s strategy how to raise consciousness for counterfeit
goods and their negative impact. Ms. O‟Connor explained that simple messages or ads are
most effective. For example billboards on airports should raise awareness.
Finally it was asked how users of the INCOTERMS can be encouraged to apply the
revised version, once it was published. Ms. O‟Connor explained that generally it has to be
stated in export contracts, which version of INCOTERMS are used. By this means
misunderstandings are limited. Nevertheless the ICC strongly recommends using always
the latest version.
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7.1.1.1 Question & Answer Session
During the Question & Answer session, the students raised issues of common interest such
as how the cautions concerning faked goods could be raised among the customers.
Answering this question, Ms. O‟Connor highlighted the importance of making the public
aware of this issue and which harm the trade of faked goods could create. Furthermore,
students were interested in the educational background of the very speaker, who offered
her services as lawyer in New York, which also meant the gaining of important
international experience, before joining the ICC in Geneva.
7.1.2 ICC International Court of Arbitration, Secretariat and Arbitration Rules
Mr. Coutelier closely elaborated on issues related to the ICC- Arbitration and the according
rules. In general the ICC Arbitration was founded in 1923 by the French minister and deals
with business related dispute issues which the parties wish to clarify. However, any issues
related to political decisions, such as war, are strictly excluded from ICC-Arbitration.
Currently the number of cases which are dealt with by the concerning institution amount to
1,400 p.a., however this figure is likely to increase during the upcoming periods as its
popularity raises steadily.
The prime reason why numerous business issues are decided to be dealt with under ICC-
Arbitration is, according to Mr.
Coutelier, the easy enforceability of
decisions in numerous countries.
Certainly, the implementation of the
very decisions is of high advantage
especially in member countries to the
ICC however also in other parts of
the world Arbitration decisions are
widely acknowledged. Consequently,
it has to be mentioned that the ICC is
extremely international and therefore the above mentioned advantage receives even more
attention and importance.
However, as already indicated, a further major advantage of ICC Arbitration presents the
speed with which decisions are concluded and therefore available for the disputing parties.
Usually Arbitration decisions are concluded within a couple of weeks, especially in
member counties, whereas local courts in the different countries may need up to several
years in order to present adequate solutions. Moreover, Arbitration is also available to
small and medium sized businesses as the costs remain quite low compared to sums which
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need to be calculated if disputes are settled with national courts. The final sum necessary
depends primarily on the amount in dispute which mostly remains affordable for the
parties.
Furthermore, Mr. Coutelier referred to the duties and responsibilities of the ICC
Arbitration Court and its Secretariat. It has to be clearly mentioned that the ICC Arbitration
court does not take decisions itself, but this duty is left to independent arbitrators.
However, the Court is highly engaged it securing the enforceability of decisions with
national courts. Moreover, the Secretariat can be seen as the linkage between the court, the
arbitrators and the involved parties and is responsible for the smooth process of decisions
making. Although the Secretariat is placed in Paris, it is very international as for example a
new office was opened lately in Hong Kong. The court in general consists of over 100
members and is appointed by the world council for a period of three years. A weekly
meeting of the court ensures the information flow within the organisation.
Finally, Mr. Coutelier elaborated closer on the process of an Arbitration and clearly
mentioned that the work of the ICC Arbitration starts with the file for arbitration and the
establishment of the terms and references of the case which have to be signed by the
involved parties.
7.1.3 ADR, Expertise and Dispute Boards
Ms. Vital Durand presented the ADR (Amicable
Dispute Resolution), Expertise and Dispute
Boards services. First she explained the functions
of the ADR, which set of Rules came into force
on 1st July 2001. The ADR settles disputes
amicably in a rather inexpensive and quick way.
Furthermore, the set of rules are all constructed on
the same basis than the Arbitration, Expertise and
Dispute Board Rules.
Ms. Vital Durand goes on with the different articles, which state how ADR is started.
Article 1 covers the “Scope of Rules”, which explains that those rules are only applicable
to business, as well as domestic and international disputes. Article 2 explains two
alternative methods – there is either no prior agreement to submit the dispute to ICCADR,
or there is an agreement to refer to the ICCADR Rules. In Article 3 the “Selection of the
Neutral” is explained, which provides information about the qualifications a Neutral third
party should have, such as language, background, location, expertise. “Fees and Costs” are
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discussed in Article 4, which indicates that there is no general rule about the length of the
procedure.
Nevertheless, both parties have to pay a registration fee of 1,500 USD, which is not
refundable. Moreover, further administrative fees are never more than 10,000 USD and
never less than the registration fee. All costs have to be borne by both parties as well.
Article 5 covers the “Conduct of the ADR Procedure”, which gives information about the
different types ADR, such as Mediation, Neutral evaluation, Mini-trial, or any other
technique including a combination of techniques. The parties should decide with the
neutral party which technique to apply to their dispute. “Termination of ADR Proceeding”
is covered in Article 6, which shows that sometimes mediation failed but occasionally
parties want to make a new deal. This means that mediation does not give a 100%
assurance for being successful. The success highly depends on the parties involved.
Furthermore, the Neutral can also say that mediation will be inefficient and therefore has
the possibility to terminate the whole procedure. Article 7 “Confidentiality”, probably one
of the most important ones states that all documents, suggestions, views, communications,
agreements are confidential. Nevertheless, there are two exceptions – when disclosure is
required by applicable law, and when disclosure is agreed by both parties.
Ms. Vital Durand also mentioned that there is a certain link between ICC ADR and
Arbitration, but there is strict confidentiality necessary between the services. Everything
should be kept secret, thus it is not allowed to give information to the ICC Court of
Arbitration. If parties think arbitration takes too long and is too intensive, they have the
possibility to go to ADR.
7.1.3.1 Question & Answer Session
Concerning the third presentation, students raised questions which primarily concerned the
work of the ICC ADR Service also referring to the number of cases dealt with by the ICC
ADR Service per year. The speaker informed the students that about 17 cases where dealt
with in 2008, however, the first months of 2009 already show an increase of 25% in this
activity. Furthermore the question related to which of the parties has to bear the costs for
an ADR procedure file was raised, which Ms. Vital Durand clearly answered by indicating
that the party who brings in the file needs to bear the registration fee which is later credited
to its credit for costs. Furthermore, additional charges are divided between the respective
parties. Additionally, one major advantage of the ADR Service was discussed during the
Question & Answer session, being the faster decision making process. For small and
medium sized companies, files which might take years to be decided on with national
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courts can be extremely harmful, whereas the quick decision making of the ADR Service
presents a clear advantage.
7.1.4 ICC Events Department and ICC Institute of World Business Law
First of all, Ms. Katharine Bernet
presented the ICC services and
events briefly and stressed the role
of the ICC as official training
centre. In general, around 20-25
events are organized every year.
Commonly the working language of
these events is English, but there are
several occasions where also other
languages are utilized (e.g. Spanish,
Portuguese). The ICC Events Department has a range of international clients, in particular
the ICC Dispute Resolution Services, ICC Institute of World Business Law and the ICC
Policy Commissions.
The ICC Dispute Resolution Services holds conferences on specific topics, like the
ICC/FIDIC conference on Dispute Resolution in Construction Matter on 15th
and 16th
October in Istanbul. Furthermore, conferences with a regional focus are organized, e.g.
International Commercial Arbitration in Latin America: The ICC Perspective from 1st to
3rd
November in Miami.
The ICC Institute of World Business Law serves as a think-tank on world business law and
offers trainings in arbitration and conferences on world business law, e.g. the Annual
meeting of the ICC Institute of World Business Law “Arbitration and Multiparty
Contracts” – which commemorates the 30th
anniversary this year.
The ICC Policy Commissions mainly organises conferences of a global scope and offers
training on the (application of) the INCOTERMS and the principals of the UCP 600. In
Paris the event “Applying the principles of UCP 600 in today‟s turbulent environment”
will be held from 18th
to 19th
June.
Finally, Ms. Bernet made reference to the ICC Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF).
7.1.5 World Chambers Federation (WCF)
The last presentation elaborated on the World Chambers Federation, which is a specialized
division of the ICC. The ICC WCF comprises more than 14,000 chambers from 140
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countries. The mission of the WCF is to strengthen the capacity of the individual chambers
and to improve the capacity of the members. Mr. Auchère referred to it as the Facebook for
chambers of commerce.
In addition, the structure and
chairmanship of the WCF was
explained briefly. This was followed
by the introduction of the ATA
Carnet, which can be seen as a
passport for goods and for world
trade. Technically speaking it is an
international customs document that
permits the duty-free temporary
import of goods (up to one year). In
general, ATA Carnets cover commercial samples, professional equipment and goods for
representation or trade fair and exhibition usage.
Furthermore, the role of the WCF regarding Certificates of Origin (CO`s) was addressed.
The WCF not only helps in the translation of such documents into other languages (e.g.
Russian, Chinese, and Arabic) but also offers training in the usage of CO`s.
In addition, the speaker drew the attention to the 6th
World Chambers Congress in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia from 3rd
to 5th
June what can be seen as an interesting forum for the
chambers in sharing experiences and information.
The speaker also promoted the World Chambers Competition. This awards program
provides a unique opportunity for the chambers demonstrate originality and determination
to strengthen SMEs and improve the services for their members.
Moreover, the aspects of the World Chamber Network (WCN) were outlined. WCN
promotes the working together at on Internet location of the WCF‟s chamber community.
Services offered by the WCN comprise trade and investment information, the Global
Business Exchange (a database of the chamber‟s member‟s business opportunities) and a
comprehensive chamber directory.
Finally, the speakers addressed the Chamber Trust, which gives indication to the chambers
regarding the actual existence and/or reliability of their business partners
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7.1.5.1 Question & Answer Session
The respective Question & Answer session referred to the new INCOTERMS 3000 which
are to be implemented in 2010 and highlighted the challenge of making businesses aware
of the new terms as well as encouraging those companies to use the new clauses.
Furthermore the important issue of the standing of member countries to the ICC was raised
referring to the equality of the members which was approved by the speaker.
7.1.6 Internship Opportunities
The speakers highlighted the acceptance of interns in the various departments of the
organisations. Furthermore the important issue of prior experience was discusses and it
was confirmed that no law studies are required in order to apply for an internship with the
ICC however students need to be officially enrolled in an university. The duration of the
respective internships is quite flexible lasting from 3 to 6 months. In comparison to various
other organisations, internships are paid within the ICC however this payment shall more
be seen as a compensation, according to the speakers.
Interested students are invited to express their wish to join the ICC for an internship by
sending an e-mail to kbt@iccwbo,org. The respective message should also include a closer
definition of the desired department of interest and a reference to the very speakers is
advisable.
Find more information under the respective website: www.iccwbo.org/
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7.2 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
(UNESCO)
Date: Friday, May 9th
2009
Time: 02:30 pm – 04:00 pm
Topic: Scope and Work of UNESCO & tour, Role of the Austrian Organisation
Speaker: Dr. Alexander Schischlik
H.E. Amb. Helene Steinhäusl, Ambassador
Moderator: Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic
„Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men the defenses of peace
must be constructed.“
On the fourth day of our study trip we had the
pleasure to pay a visit to the UNESCO Headquarters
in Paris. We received a very warm welcome by Dr.
Alexander Schischlik and H.E. Ambassador Helene
Steinhäusl, after we had finally passed the security
checks. Right at the beginning Dr. Schischlik gave us
an overview on the specialized agency of the United
Nations. This explanation was followed by a short
historic overview, and a summary of the
responsibilities of the organisation, including the
Millennium Development Goals. Additionally, Her
Excellency Steinhäusl provided a short overview of
the governing bodies of the UNESCO and the budgeting of the organisation. H.E. Ambo.
Steinhäusl also introduced our group to the tasks of the Permanent Delegation of Austria to
the UNESCO.
The Austrian Delegation represents the Austrian government at the UNESCO
Headquarters and is a permanent link for Austria in the framework of the different forums
and Bodies of the UNESCO. Concerning the administration it is linked to the Austrian
Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs.
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The presentation was concluded with a short
Question & Answer session. The questions
addressed topics like how an ordinary
working day looks like at the UNESCO and
the work of the UNESCO concerning
sustainable water management in
cooperation with the UNEP. In addition, we
had the possibility to watch two short movies
about the organisation and its tasks, and had
a guided tour through the headquarters‟ very own Zen-garden.
7.2.1 History
In 1942, during the Second World War, the governments of the European countries, which
were confronting Nazi Germany and its allies, met in the United Kingdom for the
Conference of Allied Ministers of Education (CAME). At this conference it was decided to
establish an educational and cultural organisation, which should prevent another world war
and to maintain peace and security by promoting international collaboration through
education, science and culture. The organisation should work according to the rules of the
United Nations Charter. Therefore, the new organisation‟s name was United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). It was founded by 37
countries on 16 November 1945 and was ratified on 4 November 1946 by 20 countries,
namely Australia, Brazil,
Canada, China,
Czechoslovakia,
Denmark, Dominican
Republic, Egypt, France,
Greece, India, Lebanon,
Mexico, New Zealand,
Norway, Saudi Arabia,
South Africa, Turkey,
United Kingdom and
United States of
America.
7.2.2 Fields of Activities
The scope of work of the UNESCO is divided into 5 disciplines: education, natural
sciences, social and human sciences, culture, as well as communication and information.
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7.2.2.1 Education
The main area of work is the improvement of education internationally by giving technical
advice, setting recognized standards, establishing new and innovative projects and
networking. The educational priorities are to provide, first of all, basic education.
Furthermore, secondary and higher education should be enhanced and the quality of
education in general be promoted.
7.2.2.2 Natural Sciences
The main focuses lie on assessing and managing global resources and on supporting
developing countries in the areas of sciences, engineering and technology. Also, the fields
of water, oceans, sustainable development and renewable sources of energy are priority
issues.
7.2.2.3 Social and Human Sciences
The main task of this working area is to help in understanding and interpreting the social,
cultural and economic environment. This includes the provision of research, identification
and analysis of trends, proposals for future actions and the promotion of human rights.
7.2.2.4 Culture
Cultural priorities lie in the preservation of culture in general, the promotion of cultural
diversity emphasising on tangible and intangible heritage, and the promotion of cultural
dialogue and understanding.
7.2.2.5 Communication and Information
As the organisation is required to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image, it
established several communication and information programmes. Their main aims are to
share knowledge by integrating socio-cultural and ethical dimensions of sustainable
development, emphasise the freedom of expression, and to promote the development of
communication.
7.2.3 The Millennium Development Goals and Water
In the 2000 Millennium Declaration of the UN, the organisation sets eight goals for
development, named the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These eight goals shall
improve human conditions worldwide by 2015.
• Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and reduce poverty by half the
proportion of people living on less than a dollar a day and suffer from hunger.
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• Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education to ensure that all boys and girls
complete a full course of primary schooling.
• Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women to eliminate gender
disparity in primary and secondary education preferably by 2005, and at all levels
by 2015.
• Goal 4: Reduce child mortality by two thirds among children under five.
• Goal 5: Improve maternal health and reduce the maternal mortality rate by three
quarters.
• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability by integrating the principles of
sustainable development into country policies and programs.
• Goal 8: Develop a global partnership to enhance open trading and a financial
system that is rule-based, predictable and non-discriminatory.
7.2.4 Governing Bodies
7.2.4.1 General Conference
The General Conference is the UNESCO‟s main body for
program and budgetary issues and is meeting on a two-year
basis. It is formed by representatives of the States Members
of the Organisation. The meetings of the General
Conference are attended by the Member States and
Associate Members, as well as observers for non-Member-
States, intergovernmental organisations and non-
governmental organisations. Furthermore, the General
Conference elects the members of the Executive Board, the
UNESCO‟s second main governing body. Additionally, it is
responsible for the appointment of the Director-General.
7.2.4.2 The Executive Board
The Executive Board also can be referred to as management board of the UNESCO. It
usually prepares the work of the General Conference and functions as control institution
for the decision making processes of the General Conference. Currently the Executive
Board consists of 58 members, who are elected by the General Conference. Whereupon the
election of the members is determined by the desire to maintain a cultural and ethnic
equilibrium in the management of the UNESCO. Meetings of the Executive Board are held
twice a year and take place at the UNESCO‟s headquarters in Paris.
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H.E. Ambo. Steinhäusl also informed us about regulatory and extra-budgetary funding.
Due to its low regular budget UNESCO is highly dependent on extra-budgetary funding
from its member states but also from private donors. With this extra-budgetary funding the
UNESCO supports research in comparative education, provides expertise and fosters
partnerships to strengthen national educational
leadership and the capacity of countries to offer
quality education for all.
The overall budget of UNESCO amounts to USD
631 million for two years. Compared with the
budget of other specialized agencies of the UN this
is a relatively low amount. Austria‟s contribution to
this budget amounts to USD 1.2 million per year.
Important to mention is that the total budget of USD 631 million is used only for financing
the main functions of UNESCO.
7.2.5 Permanent Delegation of Austria to the UNESCO
The task of the Permanent Delegation is the representation of Austria as a Member State of
the Organisation. The delegation participates in the consultation process to develop the
UNESCO Program and Strategy, as well as the development of International Standards and
Instruments of International Law.
7.2.6 Austria’s Presence in UNESCO Bodies
• Intergovernmental Committee – Convention on Cultural Diversity (2007-2009)
• Intergovernmental Coordinating Council Man and the Biosphere (MAB)
Programme (2005-2009)
• Intergovernmental Council Information for All Programme (2007-2011)
• Intergovernmental Committee – Protection of Cultural Property in Armed
Conflict (2005-2009)
• Intergovernmental Committee on Physical Education and Sport (CIGEPS, 2007-
2011)
• Intergovernmental Committee Int. Bureau of Education (IBE) in Geneva (2005-
2009)
Unfortunately, due to the tight schedule, there was no
time left to have a longer Question & Answer session
with Her Excellency Steinhäusl. Instead she offered
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us to continue the discussion at the reception at the Austrian Embassy in the evening.
At the Austrian Embassy every one of us had the great possibility to talk to H.E.
Ambassador Steinhäusl as well as Dr. Schischlik.
Some of us had a pretty long discussion with Her Excellency Steinhäusl about her personal
background and the career path of a diplomat in general. She explained that after finishing
her studies of languages, she decided to realign her personal career towards international
relations and worked for several years in Brussels before moving to Paris.
Furthermore, she talked about everyday life in the embassy and her work, which is quite
stressful and challenging. H.E. Steinhäusl answered frankly that she was not denying the
rather high level of bureaucracy most IO's are dominated by. Additionally, H.E.
Ambassador Steinhäusl was referring to the fact that by being employed at International
Organisations it is common to take over projects from other people while handing over
own work when changing positions. As a matter of fact, it often happens that one does not
experience the results of one's own efforts but this does not mean that these results are not
given. It is indeed possible to exert influence on and change things by working for IO's but
this is a question of commitment and lot of patience.
With this study report we want to express our deep gratefulness towards H.E. Ambassador
Steinhäusl and Dr. Schischlik for the time they spent with us, although they have to stick to
a tight schedule. Furthermore we were very
impressed about the great reception Her Excellency
gave for us at the wonderful premises of the Austrian
Embassy in Paris.
It was an inimitable experience we would definitely
not want to miss.
7.2.7 Internship Opportunities
At the end of our discussion Prof. Bajrektarevic raised the question concerning internship
possibilities at UNESCO and the Permanent Delegation respectively. H.E. Ambo.
Steinhäusl frankly spoke about the career possibilities and informed us that an internship in
general is possible and the Permanent Delegation usually employees one intern. Hence
there is a given possibility to apply at the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and
International Affairs.
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Nevertheless at the moment due to this year‟s General Conference at the UNESCO in
October there will not be a possibility to work as an intern at the Permanent Delegation in
the current year. Additionally, H.E. Ambo. Steinhäusl stated that if applying for an
internship one has to bear in mind that it has to be financed by one‟s own and is not
remunerated by the UNESCO or Austrian state.
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8 FRIDAY, MAY 8TH
2009
ORGANIZATIONS PLANNED BUT NOT VISITED
It has to be stated that due to the fact that the 8th
of May is a National Holiday in France,
we were not able to proceed with the originally planned study program to visit the World
Bank and “La Francophonie”. Nevertheless, an overview of these two organisations will be
provided in the following section.
8.1 The World Bank Group (WB)
The World Bank Group was founded in July 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference in
New Hampshire, by 43 participating countries.
Its original purpose was to finance the reconstruction of war-torn Europe. Nowadays the
World Bank Group has become the primary financier of development projects in the third
world having its headquarters in Washington D.C. It is not a bank in the common sense,
but more a specialized agency of the United Nations with 185 member countries helping
emerging countries to escape poverty by building an investment friendly environment,
creating jobs and fostering sustainable growth.
As it is the world‟s leading development agency, it provides help to rebuild economies that
were heavily devastated through wars and social and economic crisis. The World Bank
Group also promotes international economic cooperation. All its operations are conducted
under the so called Millennium Development Goals which refer to the elimination of
poverty and hunger, universal primary education for each and everybody, the promotion of
gender equality, the reduction of child mortality, the improvement of maternal health, the
fight against HIV/Aids, malaria and other diseases, environmental sustainability and the
development of a global partnership for development.
In order to achieve these objectives, the developing countries determine themselves that
they have to build the capacity and the infrastructure to grow, to develop a robust financial
system and to combat corruption.
8.1.1 The Structure of the World Bank Group
The World Bank, which only is a part of one big network of the Bretton Woods
institutions, is often the name that refers to the International Bank for Reconstruction and
Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA). In addition
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there are other affiliated institutions that can be linked to the World Bank Group: the
International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency
(MIGA); and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
8.1.2 Organisation
The World Bank Group employs around 10,000 people and is therefore the third largest
employer in Washington. It is a public institution that is owned by its 185 member
countries. These countries can be described as the shareholders of the institution, each
having a different amount of shares that is linked to their respective economic power and
influence. The USA is the largest shareholder with 17% voting shares, followed by Japan,
Germany, the UK and other countries.
8.1.3 Millennium Development Goals1 (to be achieved by 2015)
8.1.4 Decision Making Authority
8.1.4.1 President of the World Bank
The current president of the World Bank Group is Robert Zoellick, who is also the
chairman of the board of the Executive Directors (ED). The president is not elected
democratically, but rather appointed by the US for a period of five years. He is in charge of
the overall management of the Bank. The directors have no rights to intervene in the
selection. They can only give some suggestions. Besides the president, there are nine vice
presidents in charge of regions, sectors, networks and functions.
1 Source: http://www.undp.org/mdg/
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8.1.4.2 Board of Executive Directors
The board of the Executive Directors consists out of the representatives of each member
country, amounting for 24 in total. There are two different types of votes within the
decision making body, the basic votes and the additional ones that are based on their
financial contribution. The basic votes are in general votes that are allocated equally to
each member state.
The Executive Directors‟ responsibilities and duties are to decide on IBRD loans and IDA
credits as well as to decide on policies that are linked to the Bank‟s general operations‟. In
addition they have to present to the board of governors an audit of accounts, an
administrative budget and an annual report on the Bank‟s operations and policies at every
annual meeting. They are furthermore responsible for the day-to-day operations and
revising operations evaluations and development rends, having normally a meeting twice a
week.
8.1.4.3 Board of Governors
Each member country has to appoint one governor as its representative, which normally is
directed to the finance minister of the respective country. Their key responsibilities and
duties are to make key decisions regarding strategic directions, membership questions,
capital stock, budgets and distribution of income.
8.1.5 Roles
The World Bank in general can be assumed as the largest public development institution,
annually lending a sum of approximately 25 billion dollars to their member states.
Providing help for the reconstruction and development of territories of member states by
facilitating the investment of capital for productive purposes is equally a role the World
Bank assumes as is the promotion of the balanced growth of international trade and the
maintenance of equilibrium in balances of payments by encouraging international
investment. A further objective of the World Bank is to assist in raising the productivity,
the standard of living and conditions of labour in their territories.
8.1.5.1 The World Bank as a Lender
The World Bank lends its money to middle and low-income governments to facilitate
policy reforms and to promote investment projects. In certain cases the bank´s facilities can
provide financial aid to private businesses and to non-profit organisations through special
bank guarantees. Money that will support the improvement of institutional, economic and
other policy reforms is known as “structural adjustments or development policy” lending.
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The World Bank requests guarantees in advance or sets up certain “conditions” before
approving a loan or a grant. Such conditions can for example be the guarantee of the
borrowing country to privatize some of their state-owned companies or to lower trade
tariffs.
8.1.5.2 The World Bank as a Knowledge Broker
The World Bank also enriches the market with knowledge about development issues.
Especially publications and research findings are of special interest. Every country can use
these in the absence of alternative sources. Therefore the World Bank founded its own
training and research group known as the World Bank Institute to directly participate in the
training of government officials such as parliamentarians and civil society representatives.
8.1.5.3 The World Bank as a Gatekeeper to Development Finance
Last but not least the World Bank assumes one final role regarding the capital market.
Through their research work and the assessment of a respective country the World Bank
acts as a source for other institutions. With the World Bank‟s Country Policy and
Institutional Assessments (CPIA) and Investment Climate Assessments (ICA) countries
can obtain a rating taking their economic policies and friendliness to foreign investment
into account.
8.1.6 Lending instruments
The World Bank has two main lending instruments basically known as investment and
adjustment loans. Investment loans have a long-term focus (5-10 years) and are used for
financing goods and services in support of economic and social development projects in a
broad range of sectors. Adjustment loans on the other side have a short-term focus (1-3
years) and are providing external financing to support institutional and policy reforms.
Frequently both types are joined in hybrid operations due to their flexible usage.
8.1.6.1 Investment Loans
Investment loans can be used for a wide range of different projects normally providing
funds for physical and social infrastructure. These funds are only supplied against specific
foreign or local expenditures related to the project such as equipment, studies, technical or
consulting services or materials. To ensure a satisfactory performance these terms are
normally settled before in a loan agreement. Investment loans are generally tailored to the
specific needs of the borrower.
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8.1.6.2 Adjustment Lending and other Non-Project Lending
Adjustment lending programmes provide quick financing solutions and assistance for
countries to support structural reforms in a sector or in the economy as a whole. They are
building up structures to foster political and institutional changes to create an environment
for sustainable growth. Like investment loans, adjustment loans also changed their nature
over the years due to changing needs by the borrowing countries. Adjustment loans were
originally created for macroeconomic reforms, including trade policies and agricultural
reforms. Now their focus changed and moved towards the structural and financial sector
aiming at improving public resource management and promoting competitive market
structures.
8.1.7 World Bank Guarantees
Loans are normally used as public financing instruments whereas bank guarantees issued
by the World Bank are directed to the private sector helping the borrowers to cover risks
that they normally could not absorb without help. The Bank‟s project based guarantees try
to foster private sector financing.
8.1.8 The Structure of the World Bank Group
The World Bank Group can mainly be divided into two institutions, namely the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International
Development Association (IDA). Furthermore the International Finance Corporation (IFC),
the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for
Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) form parts of the Group. (Bretton Woods
Project (2006), n.p.a)
In principal the IBRD and IDA share the same goals and objectives called Millennium
Development Goals which refer to the elimination of poverty and hunger, universal
primary education for each and everybody, the promotion of gender equality, the reduction
of child mortality, the improvement of maternal health, the fight against HIV/Aids, malaria
and other diseases, environmental sustainability and the development of a global
partnership for development. Nevertheless the IBRD and the IDA are two financially
independent legal entities, although they are administered by the same staff and share the
same headquarter in Washington DC.
8.1.8.1 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
The IBRD was originally established to provide financial support for the reconstruction of
nations devastated by World War II. Nowadays its mission has expanded to fight poverty
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in developing states all over the world. Thereby the IBRD provides assistance under three
main headings: Strategy and coordination services, financial services including loans and
development assistance to middle and low-income countries with a stated aim of reducing
poverty, and knowledge services. Loans generally have a five-year grace period and must
be repaid over a period of 15-20 years.
In large part the IBRD is financed by selling bonds to private investors. Besides it can also
count on the help of its member governments. Their loans are always given to member
states and if it comes to a failure of repayment of a specific country the IBRD can freeze
the capital streams immediately.
8.1.8.2 International Development Association
Created in 1960 the IDA offers assistance to the poorest countries, providing them with
interest-free loans (primarily aimed at basic social services provision and increasingly
direct budget support), technical assistance and policy advice. The IDA is funded by
wealthier nations, lending only to those countries that have a per capita income of less than
$1,095 and lack the financial ability to borrow from the IBRD. At present, 78 countries are
eligible to borrow from the IDA. IDA credits have a 20, 35 or 40 year repayment period.
To survive the IDA is funded through three different sources: First of all be the re-flows
from previous loans, secondly by transfers from IBRD net income and last but not least
from IDA donors.
8.1.9 International Finance Corporation (IFC)
The IFC is a legally and financially independent body of the World Bank Group. The
institution is owned by the member states which also provide the authorized share capital
and fix the policies. Its guiding principle is „Reducing Poverty, Improving Lives‟ and it
was established in 1956. Today, the IFC supports developing countries in terms of
sustainable economic growth by providing capital for the private sector, encouraging
investment into poor countries and advising businesses and governments. Therefore the
IFC mainly works in developing regions in Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia & the Pacific,
South Asia, Europe & Central Asia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Middle East &
North Africa.
The two IFC core tasks are to provide advisory and investment services, include loans and
intermediary services, equity (IFC holds shares in several companies from poor countries),
special structured finance products, risk management products (like hedging foreign
exchange spending), and others. In 2008 new investments made up a total of $16.2 billion.
Compared to the previous year, this is a 34 percent increase.
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8.1.10 Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA)
The MIGA, founded in 1988, has the aim to increase foreign direct investment into
countries of the developing world. Foreign Direct investment (FDI) is a critical issue for
those countries when it comes to reduce poverty, including availability of clean water,
electricity and above all work. With the help of money from abroad, they can invest in the
private sector and increase economic wellbeing and the wellbeing of individuals.
Thereby is important to note that MIGA is an insurer and not a lender itself. (Multilateral
Investment Guarantee Agency (n.d.a.), n.p.a) Obviously, most investors tend to invest in
secure countries because they fear political risk in poor countries. Therefore, MIGA is
providing the following three important services. Firstly, they insure investors against
political risk for foreign investments in developing countries. Secondly, they provide
technical assistance in order to further develop investment climates and promote
investment opportunities. Thirdly, they try to remove possible obstacles to future
investment. MIGA mainly tries to attract investment for the area of infrastructure and this
is especially a challenge in case of countries with very high risks combined with low
income and those which are victims of wars and other conflicts.
Over the last decades the relationship between the World Bank and MIGA has been
reduced. Nowadays, it is only a minimized organisational link. Furthermore the
Independent Evaluation Group for MIGA (IEG-MIGA) is evaluating the effectiveness of
the whole organisation and its operating on a regular basis since July 2002.
8.1.11 International Centre for Settlement for Investment Disputes (ICSID)
ICSID is an international institution that provides facilities to settle international
investment problems. The centre has been formed by the Executive Directors of the
International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (the World Bank) and came into
being in 1966. Its main purpose is to interfere in case there are any legal disputes that are
of non-commercial nature. Nowadays, ICSID is a main player when it comes to
international investment and economic development. (International Centre for Settlement
of Investment Disputes (n.d.a), n.p.a)
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8.1.12 Project Cycle
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8.2 L’Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie
Due to public holidays in France on the 8th
of May, we were unfortunately not able to pay a
visit to the headquarters of la Francophonie in Paris. Since our timetable was very tight, it
was not possible to reschedule the appointment.
Therefore, the authors are not able to provide the readers with first-hand information about
employment- and internship possibilities with the organisation. However, attention is to be
drawn to the internship division of the official website
(www.francophonie.org/oif/recrutements/postes.cfm) which provides pretty detailed
information about recruiting procedures and requirements. For those, who are looking for
an internship or traineeship in a truly international and challenging environment it is for
sure worth a try sending their application.
8.2.1 History and Member Countries
Originally, the “Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie”, with its headquarters in
Paris, France, had the aim to unify all French speaking countries and to promote their
common values. Nowadays, the OIF counts 56 permanent member states, 14 observer
states and three associate members from all around the world. Together, the member states
account for a population of more than 800 million people from which 200 million people
have French as mother tongue.
Furthermore, it represents close to one third of all United Nations member states. Austria
joined the OIF in 2004 as an observer states. Since its creation in 1970, the scope of the
organisation has shifted dramatically. The formerly small club of French-speaking
countries has developed into a globally acting organisation which operates in the fields of
culture, science, economy, justice and peace.
8.2.2 Scope of Work
Generally, the OIF has the aim to help emerging nations to acquire the necessary means to
manage their economic and social development in a sustainable and equitable way. In
order to achieve this objective, it provides political support to its member states and guides
multilateral cooperation. Hence, the organisation shares fundamental goals and objectives
with the United Nations as they are both founded on the principles of diversity, dialogue
and multilateralism. Furthermore, it has the aim to bring nations together, to prevent
conflicts and to pave the way for democracy and development.
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The roadmap of the OIF for the upcoming ten years which states the core strategies and
priorities of its multilateral actions was created in November 2004 and includes the key
missions:
• The promotion of the French language as well as cultural and linguistic diversity
• The promotion of peace, democracy and human rights
• The support of education, training, higher education and research
• The promotion of cooperation to ensure sustainable development and solidarity
Furthermore, special attention is paid to young people and women as well as to access to
information and communication technologies.
Currently, numerous member states of the OIF are affected by war which adds prominence
to the work of the organisation. Many African countries in particular are shaken by
political conflicts and economic instability. The OIF is thus working to restore the
constitutional order, to strengthen the rule of law and to prepare the ground for a stable
political system and fair elections. By the means of encouraging cooperation among its
member states and close cooperation with the United Nations, La Francophonie puts high
efforts in resolving these conflicts.
8.2.3 Decision Making Process and Organisation
Decision making in the International Organisation of the Francophonie is done by three
different authorities on different political levels.
8.2.3.1 Francophone Summit
The highest authority is the Francophone Summit which is held every two years and is
basically a gathering of heads of state and government of member countries of the OIF. In
the course of this Summit, the heads of state of all member states sit together to develop
strategies and goals for the organisation.
Furthermore, the areas of focus of La Francophonie are defined, the resolutions necessary
for the effective functioning of the organisation are adopted, the secretary general is
elected and the admission rules of new full members, associate members and observer
members are developed.
8.2.3.2 Ministerial Conference
The second instance of decision making is the ministerial conference which sits together
between the Summits on a regular basis. Every member state is represented by its Minister
of Foreign Affairs who monitor the execution of decisions made by the Summit.
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Furthermore, they recommend new member states and associate member states to the
Summit.
8.2.3.3 Permanent Council
The Permanent Council, which is the last decision making body of the OIF is chaired by
the Secretary General and consists of representatives appointed by the heads of states.
They meet whenever necessary and are in charge of the planning of future Summits and
the implementation of Summit decisions on a day-to-day basis. Furthermore, the
Permanent Council monitors the execution of decisions taken by the ministerial
conference.
8.2.3.4 Secretary General and Administrator
Since 2002, Abdou Diouf, former president of the republic of Senegal, is the Secretary
General of the OIF. In 2006, in the course of the 11th
Summit of OIF in Bucarest, he was
re-elected as for another 4-year term. The Secretary General has key position in the
organisational structure of the OIF. He guides the international political actions of the
organisation and is the spokesman and official representative on an international level.
Furthermore, he has the function to promote multilateral cooperation and chairs the
cooperation council.
Moreover, he nominates the Administrator which serves a four years term. Currently, this
position is held by the Canadian Clément Duhaime. The duties of the Administrator consist
of the facilitation of multilateral cooperation and the management of administrative and
financial affairs.
8.2.3.5 Admission Criteria
In order to join La Francophonie, potential member states have to officially file for
admission to the OIF. The Francophone Summit then has to decide unanimously whether
the country can join the organisation or not.
French as an official language is not anymore a precondition for joining the organisation.
However, the status of the French language held in the candidate country is a determining
criterion for the admission.
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9 DIARIES
9.1 Saturday, May 02nd
2009 & Sunday, May 03rd
2009
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At 10:00 pm on the first Saturday in May 2009 the expectative study trip, which would
give us (in total 71 Austrian and International students, including several exchange
students and one student from our partner university in Kiev) the chance to experience the
world well-known organisations in Geneva and Paris, finally started. As we were
discussing the exciting journey lying ahead of us, the double-decker bus with a huge funny
Deix Caricature of the company Reiseparadies Kastler picked us up in front of the train
station in Krems.
The drive from Krems (Austria) to Geneva (Switzerland) took us approximately 13 hours
and turned out to be quite strenuous in terms of sleeping in an upright position on a bus
chair. However, we enjoyed the time by discussing various topics, playing cards, reading
books and watching movies. Special thanks to our sponsors Ströck and ÖAMTC, who
offered us delicious pastries and energy drinks (Yellow Angel). The supplied food was
warmly welcomed by all our hungry students.
Sunday morning we arrived around 11:30 at the ETAP Hotel in Geneva, which
accommodated us for two nights in functional three-bed rooms. As we have been a large
group, we only got every second room at that time, which created a bit of a problem at the
check-in. however, the hotel personal tried its best to provide us with all the rooms as fast
as possible. At the end, we decided consequently to split in smaller groups and stored our
luggage in the rooms we already got. Afterward, most of us headed out in order to explore
the city of Geneva instead of waiting in hotel, because the weather was remarkably nice
and sunny.
Geneva has many picturesque places, varying
from architecture monuments, historical buildings
and works of art to the natural sights, like the
breathtaking Lake Léman (also known as Lake
Geneva), surrounded by the Alps. Thanked to the
ticket for all means of public transport of the city
which we received for free, we could benefit not
only by taking a bus to the centre, but also
enjoying a boat trip to the other side of the lake.
Most of us students started the sightseeing with
the ten-minutes-walk from the main train station
to the Lake. The lack is the second largest lake in
central Europe and is located partially in
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Switzerland and partially in France. One of the biggest attractions of Lake Geneva is the
Jet d‟Eau, the enormous fountain that spouts the water 140 m in the air, making it become
the tallest fountain in the world. When we continued our walk along the quay we saw the
Statue of Elisabeth of Bavaria, the “Memorial of Elisabeth Amalie Eugenie, Duchess in
Bavaria, Princess of Bavaria, Empress of Austria, aka Sissi”, who was murdered exactly on
this place in 1898.
We were also impressed by the beautiful park beside the Lake, but unfortunately the
unexpected rain reduced our time for enjoying the city. However, many of us decided to
have lunch and afterwards, when the conditions improved a little bit, moved to the Old
Town. This part of the city turned out to be a maze of sloping streets and alleyways with
various cafés, boutiques and historical architecture on every turn.
We especially liked the Bourg-de-Four, the oldest city‟s square, which used to be a Roman
marketplace and is surrounded by entertainment spots, like bars, bistros and beautiful
terraces. Even though all of us were already quite tired, we decided to climb the narrow
cobblestone streets to visit Saint Peter’s Cathedral, which towers over the Old Town and is
also perfectly visible from the Lake’s quay. This architectural treasure had been
constructed over 400 years, starting from 12th
century, and because of its location it offers
an amazing panoramic view over the city, which we did not want to miss out.
Not many students decided to go out this very first evening of the trip due to our tiredness,
nevertheless some of us decided to spend a little while in a cosy Brazilian bar, also located
in the Old Town. After having one of the delicious drinks they offered, we went back to
the hotel, exhausted but happy, and had a rest to be ready for the tightly scheduled
Monday.
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9.2 Monday, May 4th
2009
06:00 in the morning, the alarm woke us up. As
we were still caving in our hypnopompic actions,
we realized the fact: “That‟s not going to be a
holiday trip to Switzerland and France!” After
having a more or less relaxing night in our
crowded hotel rooms, which nevertheless served
their purpose, the first early birds managed to
appear at the breakfast buffet at half past six. A
variety of different cereals, yoghurt, fruits, and of course baguette awaited us and we even
prepared some additional sandwiches for using afterwards, as we received the advice of
our Professor Anis: eat as much as we could.
As all students sat in bus, we landed on our first destination – UN headquarters in Geneva.
Moreover, we want to thank to our great bus driver “Ronny” for the great job he had done.
At the UN we – 71 students were heavily controlled by the security personal as we all
experienced once in airports.
While we finally entered the room IX on the third floor, for enjoying three hours of highly
interesting presentations about the UNCTAD, the UNOG and the UNECE, we were
impressed by receiving several good information materials provided by the organization.
Unfortunately we had to rush through the speeches due to the tight timetable and the
scheduled guided tour through the UN building.
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After having the presentations at the United
Nations Headquarter, we switched ourselves to
the Red-Cross-Museum, where we could also
enjoy a well-deserved lunch including Lasagne
Bolognese or Vegetarian Lasagne. Fortunately,
the organization committee and our professor
had arranged us the lunch menu before the trip
getting started. Otherwise, due to our intense
schedule and the high living standard of the
city, we would continue our visiting with an empty stomach.
When we entered into the Red-Cross-Museum
we still had a great mood, because of the great
weather, the beautiful foreign city, our nice
colleges and so on. But after the guided tour, our
emotions have changed dramatically, being
confronted with affecting topics, such as torture
and landmines. On the way down from the Red-
cross-museum to the “Place de la Nation” where
we met to take one of our popular “Family-Photos” all together, we were trying to
assimilate what we have heard and seen. The last official point on that day-agenda was a
meeting at the WIPO, not far away from the Red-Cross and the United Nations. Again we
experienced the security check, but much to our surprise we sadly found out that only 40
out of our 72 students were allowed to enter the WIPO due to organisational matters.
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Hence several volunteers decided to have a free afternoon at 03:15 pm and enjoyed the
picturesque Geneva; the rest of the students used their unique possibility to attend to a
lively presentation about the WIPO. The end of the presentation was also the end of our
formal part of the second day. After that, everyone was enjoying the rest of the day in
Geneva by shopping, drinking coffee or some other relaxing activities.
In the evening, due to the absolute exhaustion, we needed to change our plan for exploring
the night life in Geneva. All of us were ready for a cold shower and our beds. Because we
had to still remember our alarm time: 6 o‟clock in the morning - again.
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9.3 Tuesday, May 5th
2009
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After a pretty recreational night in our cosy hotel room of the ETAP Hotel in Geneva we
started our third day with a nourishing breakfast at 07:00 am. Once having checked out,
stored our entire luggage in the bus and checked whether this time really everybody got
onto the bus we made our way to the ITU (International Telecommunication Union), or as
French-speaking people would call it UTI (Union Internationale des Télécommunications).
We were warmly welcomed by one of the staff members who guided us to a conference
room in the ITU tower building where we enjoyed an interesting presentation about the
organisation and got involved in a highly topical discussion about cyber security.
At approximately 12:00 am our loyal bus
driver picked us up and took us directly to
the doorway of the ILO (International
Labour Organisation), just in time for our
next presentation. Before entering each and
every one of us was astonished and
impressed by the huge premises of the
organisation. The presentations about the
activities, forced labour and trafficking
issues were followed by rather exceptional lunch – at least for those who enjoyed a 20
CHF mixed salad – in the organisation‟s canteen.
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After a filling meal and an invigorating cup of coffee, 71 students, both regular and
international ones, squeezed into a bus of Geneva‟s public transport system that took us
somewhere near to the so-called “Blue Box”.
Unfortunately, “somewhere near”
was still too far away to
immediately find the EC Mission.
After a couple of minutes of
straying around, we finally arrived
at the Permanent Mission;
however, the adventure was still
not over for every one of us.
While most of the students were
already listening to the mission
briefing a number of others – obviously too many – were stuck in the elevator for almost
half an hour. Nevertheless, everybody made it sooner or later to the fifth floor where we
were invited to a small reception with a delicious buffet after the presentations. Besides
enjoying the tasty finger-food many of us appreciated the unique possibility to talk to the
EC Mission staff and to establish valuable connections.
This was the official end of our program in Geneva and we took once more the chance to
do some sightseeing in this marvellous but rather expensive city. Some groups went for
dinner and drinks; others strolled around the lakeside and the old town watching a car
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bursting after an accident, but basically every one of us enjoyed the last evening in Geneva
before boarding the bus at 10:00 pm – happily looking forward to just another long and
exhausting bus ride to Paris, the city of love.
9.4 Wednesday, May 6th
2009
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Midnight, somewhere on the road between Geneva and Paris: people were sleeping,
playing cards, watching DVD‟s – creating a cosy, almost family like atmosphere but there
were also people jeopardizing this perfect harmony by singing, drinking and shouting a
little bit too much. However these minor tensions at the latest disappeared, at the time we
had to spend three hours sleeping in the bus at a rest stop near Paris, in order to avoid the
traffic jam in the morning as well as too early arrival at the hotel.
Finally continuing our journey, at roughly ten o‟clock a
cheerful “Ooohhh” was making its way through the bus as
we could catch a first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower. At the
time of our arrival, the working day in the French capital
has just started, and so did the next day of our study trip.
People got dressed for business already in the bus, with the
growing apprehension of not being able to check-in at the
hotel before 03:00 pm. In this respect, after our arrival at
the hotel, the toilets as well as the luggage room served as
dressing and bath rooms (side note: this was especially true
for the girls).
The next institutions on our stuffed agenda were the OECD as well as the IEA, which are
located near the Metro station “La Muette” in the west of Paris. As we decided to meet
there at 02:15 pm, we still had some 3 hours left to grasp the first impressions of the city.
Everyone of us used this differently, by either visiting some famous sights, tasting
traditional French Crêpes, or by simply trying to make the way from the hotel to the final
meeting point (side note: two colleagues unfortunately got lost in the confusing and never
ending metro system of Paris and were thus replaced by two Korean girls who
coincidentally turned up in front of the OECD building).
Besides the highly interesting presentations
of Mr. Christoph Mayer from the OECD
and of Ms. Nancy Turck from the IEA, we
could also record unexpected moments such
as the networking with an Egyptian
Delegate, and the surprising visit of the
former EU Commissioner for Agriculture,
Rural Development and Fisheries Mr. Franz
Fischler. As luck would have it, our
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professor Dr. Anis Bajrektarevic and Mr. Fischler bumped into each other on the corridor
and Anis immediately used the chance to introduce him to us. The former commissioner
warmly welcomed all of us, telling that he is an old friend (side note: and speaker at the
IMC), wished us a fruitful study trip and though being under time pressure he was willing
to join for a spontaneous family picture.
Leaving the OECD premises, being the world‟s globalization hub, we were keen on
exploring Paris, being the world‟s fashion hub. But before hitting the road, we returned to
our hotel to finally check-in and get a much desired and well-deserved shower. At the end
of the day, the evening activities of the students were much diversified, ranging from
watching football in a bar (side note: this was very gender specific), over people starting
their photo-safaris to some enjoying the nightlife of Paris and to others simply going to bed
resorting to the land of dreams.
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9.5 Thursday, May 7TH
2009
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After a very long journey to Paris and an interesting
afternoon at the OECD most of the students
actually preferred to stay in the hotel to get some
sleep after the past stressful days. However,
Thursday morning started out with a nice French
breakfast at the hotel. Anyhow, after the breakfast
the whole group met again at the lobby of the hotel
at 09:00 am to go to the ICC, which was the first
organisation scheduled for Thursday.
Against our expectation the weather was in our
favour and with the sun in our faces we walked
approximately 15 min to the metro line which took
us directly to the ICC headquarters. The ICC is
located in a beautiful part of Paris close to the Eifel
tower and provides a stunning view at the Seine
and the tower itself. At the ICC we had a tight
program full of interesting information as well as Question & Answer sessions including
future employment opportunities and possible training positions.
Around 12:30 pm our visit to the ICC came
to an end and most of the students took the
chance to walk from the ICC office directly
to the UNESCO headquarters. Within the
90 minutes break many students found the
time to sit down in a restaurant and enjoy
drinks and a typical French lunch.
At 02:15 pm our group met again at the
entrance of the UNESCO which is located
right behind the Military Academy which counts back to the time of Napoleon. Our group
got the chance to listen to some very informative speeches about the organisation itself and
their fields of operation as well as their future goals. Beside our two interesting speakers
the presentation also included two short movies about the UNESCO. Furthermore did we
get a tour through the organisations´ building and even had the chance to take a family
picture in the large conference hall were normally all the delegates are making their
decisions.
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In the afternoon at 04:30 pm the official
part of our trip was over and H.E. Ms.
Helene Steinhäusl invited us for reception
to the Austrian embassy. Before we joined
Ms. Steinhäusl we actually took a last
family picture in front of the gates of the
military academy with the academy and the
Eifel tower as beautiful final backgrounds.
At the embassy we had a very warm
welcome and enjoyed typical Austrian food
and drinks. Na, one of our Chinese
exchange students also gave a small piano
concert and the gentlemen of our group
even sang a little Austrian “song” as a
thank you to our host.
A funny moment was when Prof. Dr. Anis
Bajrektarevic was presented with a Mickey
Mouse doll and a French wine which should help him through the lonely days in Paris. The
reception ended with a lot of smiling faces and was an awesome final act of our official
visit to Paris.
In the evening a group of students went to a café which became famous through the movie
“Amelie” in Montmartre for dinning and as it turned out, this café was an excellent
opportunity for the current students to meet the Export Alumnis.
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9.6 Friday May 8th
2009
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After having had some highly interesting and exhausting days in Geneva and in Paris,
where we spent a lot of time in the distinctive organisations and travelling by bus, we
definitely deserved a day off. Moreover, as most of us went out the night before, it was
rather favourable to sleep late on this day´s morning. However, still many of us were
highly motivated to explore the impressive city of Paris and therefore, enjoyed the
delicious breakfast in the hotel already in the early morning. So after having had an
extensive breakfast, we started out to spend the whole day with sightseeing in the city.
When referring to May 8th
in France, one has to bear in mind that it is a public holiday in
France, i.e. “Fête de la Victoire 1945”. This special day is celebrated every year, as in the
Second World War, the Germans surrendered in Reims on May 7th
1945. However, the
victory of the Allies was officially announced on May 8th
1945 by the French General de
Gaule via radio. For that reason, the French celebrate their victory over the “Axis” on May
8th
. Nonetheless, for us foreign students, this public holiday had the consequence to not
being able to go shopping extensively, as some of the shops were closed on this day.
Therefore, most of us based their schedule on sightseeing.
As Paris offers a lot of buildings
and monuments worth being seen,
the majority of us decided to
determine on a number of sights
being visited this day and the rest
was postponed to the day after.
Since “la Tour Eiffel” is the global
icon of Paris, many of us decided in
favour of the 325 meters high iron
tower constructed between 1887 and
1889, to go to first of all. After having made use of the strenuous and rather
unconventional way to visit the core value of the iron tower, we were rewarded with the
marvellous view all over Paris.
Another memorable sight was “la Basilique du Sacré-Cœur” dedicated to the sacred heart
of Jesus and “Montmartre”, the district of artists, inter alia, including Salvador Dalí, Pablo
Picasso and Vincent van Gogh working there in their lifetime. Besides the impressive
ambience within the white basilica, a musician was playing the guitar and singing in front
of it, which made this visit even more imposing and unique.
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After having bought a few souvenirs from Paris, some of us decided to go to see the
“Champs-Élysées”, which´s luxury shops and cafés made it to one of the most famous
streets in the world, and the “Arc de Triomphe” created by Napoleon and dedicated to the
soldiers who have fought for France during the Napoleonic Wars. Unfortunately, as the 8
May is an official holiday, huge numbers of people had the intention to enjoy this day by
going sightseeing and consequently, we were not able to visit all the sights planned
according to our tight schedule for this day. This fact concerned the Arc, as well, and for
that reason we solely viewed it from afar.
After having seen some very old sights, some of us also decided to explore the rather
modern parts of the city. To those sights the “Centre Pompidou” definitely belongs, which
is a very impressive building of modern architecture. Interestingly, the architects planned
to install moving staircases, supply of electricity, water and also the ventilation on the
facade of the building. The Centre Pompidou is a cultural centre including a big public
library inside, which is a centre for music and acoustic research as well as a museum.
Finally, many students decided to spend their evening in the “Louvre” in order to complete
an astonishing day in Paris with its most famous museum and initial fortress next to the
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Seine. We intended to see the famous paintings and sculptures and above all the painting of
Leonardo da Vinci´s “Mona Lisa”. However, the museum was already closed at this time
of the day and most of us returned to the hotel afterwards.
In the night, many again intended to explore what Paris´ nightlife would offer and as there
were a huge number of bars next to the hotel, we were able to choose either to stay there or
go to the centre of Paris. All in all, after having spent the whole day with sightseeing and
after having taken the pleasure in going out in the evening, we arrived at the hotel
exhausted, but contented.
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9.7 Saturday, May 9th
2009
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On Saturday morning we had to recognize that an exhausting, but undisputedly fantastic
and remarkable week was coming closer to an end. After the majority of our group had
gone out to explore Paris‟ exciting night life the day before, some were particularly
grateful for the late check out and breakfast until 12:00 am. Others, despite their obvious
tiredness, were eager to continue their sightseeing or shopping tours already in the morning
as they wanted to take advantage of the last possibility to enjoy the unique flair of the city
of Paris.
As the journey back to Krems was only scheduled for 06:00 pm, we still had sufficient
time to walk through Paris‟ romantic alleyways, discover the city‟s historic and modern
sites, stroll along the Seine or search for the most suitable souvenirs for family and friends;
meanwhile all luggages were stored in a seminar room of the hotel. Whether it was a visit
to the historically important church “Sacré Coeur”, to the impressive Château de
Versailles, the Louvre or the numerous other monuments, all students were fascinated by
the diversity of the French capital. Interestingly, the individual groups met one another at
different places of interest by chance, which allowed for socializing and the exchange of
experiences.
In the morning the weather seemed to be fine, giving us hope for a sunny last day in Paris.
Unfortunately, our wishes did not come true and it started raining in the afternoon. This,
however, could not spoil our mood as Paris also offers plenty of alternatives for rainy
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weather, ranging from church or museum visits to the many fair and beautiful typical
French restaurants and cafés.
When the time of departure approached we rushed to the supermarkets where we stocked
up on food, cookies and drinks in order to be well equipped for the upcoming 15-hours bus
journey back to Austria. Before meeting in the hotel lobby at 05:30 pm we changed to our
not so trendy, but more comfortable clothes. Thereafter the luggage was stored into the bus
and the group of students finally left Paris at 05:50 pm. This time a few were lucky to have
two seats on their own because some of the colleagues had decided to avoid another long
bus ride and instead went home by plane.
On the way out of Paris we could one last time enjoy the beauty of the city and look back
on an incredible week full of new experiences and impressions. By the time that the bus
driver, who had accompanied us throughout the whole week, was changed, most of us had
already fallen asleep and were dreaming of the wonderful time we had spent together. At
around 09.00 am the next day we ultimately arrived at the bus station in Krems.
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10 CONCLUSION
Without a doubt, our study trip to Geneva and Paris was a once in a lifetime experience
that we are both proud and grateful for. Visiting various international organizations and
learning about their scope of work and activities made us feel very uniquely. Since this
study trip fit perfectly into the curriculum of our International Law and Global Political
Studies Chair, it definitely inspired many of us to get informed about employment
opportunities at the various organizations. Therefore, establishing important personal and
professional contacts regarding internship opportunities and diploma theses was an integral
part at each visit.
Regardless of the organization, we were always welcomed very warmly and due to the
commitment and competency of their individual members, the visits were not only highly
informative but also very pleasant and made us almost forget our exhausting nights on the
bus. Thanks to the hours of bus ride and time spent together in Geneva and Paris, we got
the opportunity to get to know our fellow students outside the university and on a more
interpersonal level, which undoubtedly strengthened our sense of community and made the
stressful final weeks of our last semester back home more bearable for all of us.
Moreover, we got to know our exchange students from China, Mexico and Spain better,
and they enjoyed the unique opportunity to visit two great cities and to learn more about
the European culture. Thanks to the efforts of our organizational team and several other
students that helped raising funds for our study trip tirelessly, we were all able to travel on
a tight student‟s budget. The final settlement resulted in a positive balance, allowing us to
support one student to travel for free next year.
In the end, each and every one of us could take along a lot of experiences for our personal
as well as professional future, and being part of this unique study trip doubtlessly
broadened our horizon in intellectual, personal as well as cultural terms.
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11 PERSONAL COMMENTS
Dear Anis,
I would like to thank you once again for the wonderful trip, time and experience! It is
really an unforgettable event in my life and I am very happy that I made this far. So thank
you very much, because without people like you such undertakings were almost
impossible. What is more – everything that I hoped to gain from this trip really exceeded
my expectations. We have been present at extremely interesting presentations, conferences
and briefings, the ones I‟ve liked the most were at UNCTAD,
ITU and IEA and of course the Museum of Red Cross was
simply amazing. Secondly, I am really grateful that you raised
the subject of internships at the end of each meeting, asking
not only for opportunities for Austrian students, but also for
those from outside the EU. Last, but not least – it was a real
pleasure to meet new people – students from IMC University
of Applied Sciences Krems as well as international students
that were interesting and enjoyable company. Therefore I wish
to also thank them separately!
All the best to you from Ukraine,
Oleksandr Polubotko
Ukrainian-Austrian Export-Oriented Management Program
KROK University, Kyiv, Ukraine
First of all, I should start giving thanks to Prof. Anis Bajrektarevic. It has been an
unforgettable experience that I could have never imagined if I never decided to come here
to the IMC. Going to Geneva and Paris to visit organizations such as the UNCTAD, ITU or
OECD and having an overview from the inside it is a thing that you can't do unless you are
a diplomatic. In the social side, it has been a great journey with great people; going to have
some beers in the pub area next to La Bastille, or in front of Sacre Coeur with the view of
Paris at night or having a dinner in the Amélie restarurant next to the Moulin Rouge are
things to remember for a long time. So, once again, many thanks to Prof. Bajrektarevic
since this trip could not have been possible without him.
Antoni Guiu Terreu
Student Economics and Business Management 8th
Semester
Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Tarragona, Spain
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Dear Prof. Bajrektarevic,
I hope you remember the two koreans you have invited to your visit to OECD in Paris on
May 6. Ms. Aidan kindly let me know of your email address so that I could send you a
personal thank-you email. Your explanations and interpretations after each presentation
had helped me understand a great deal about the role of transnational organization. Thank
you very much for your invitation and hope you a great summer!
Again, thank you for your support, Prof. Bajrektarevic.
Sincerely,
Jung Sun Yoon from South Korea
The Study Trip to Geneva and Paris, initiated and organized by Prof. Dr. Anis
Bajrektarevic (with the help of our wonderful organization team), was an experience I
would never want to miss. Although the bus ride was quite strenuous, the experiences we
made and the organizations we visited were totally worth it. It was not only a long row of
organizations but rather a good mix of professional visits and personal experiences.
Certainly not all organizations were of the same interest to all of us but I am convinced that
each and every student learned interesting facts about different IOs and was able to expand
his or her horizon. Due to the perfectly selected time frame and the well planned schedule
we were also able to experience the visited cities of Geneva and Paris.
The IOs visited were a perfect mix of regional and international organizations and the
lectures held for us were well selected and interesting. It is a once in a lifetime experience
offered by Prof. Bajrektarevic and I am impressed by the number and rank of lecturers he
was able to get to speak in front of us. The discussions after the lectures were actively used
and the speakers took them seriously and extensively answered them.
The trip was not only professionally speaking a success. It was also a great bonding
experience through which I believe we got to know each other a bit better – the only
downside is that it happened in our last semester, shortly before the ways of most of us will
part.
Magdalena Böck
Student Export-Oriented Management 6th
Semester
IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
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131
Dear Anis,
Concerning the study trip, I want to tell you how grateful I am for giving us this
opportunity. First of all, I want to say that I think visiting so many different institutions that
are engaged in so many different fields of work is a wonderful idea and it gives us students
a deeper insight in the actual work that does organizations undertake. I like the variety of
institutions that we visited, starting from humanitarian organizations, economical as well
as organizations with technical background.
I personally enjoyed the presentations of all the speakers and institutions although I have to
say that I did pick some favourites which is the visit to the Red Cross Geneva, due to the
many interesting and new facts that were presented to us, because with these kind of
subjects we have not dealt so far; the ITU, because also with this organization only few
people have had experiences with and the topic that was presented to us of security in the
internet for the users, the data and the children was very interesting and up to date;
UNESCO because the topic of education and culture is generally important to international
students and the discussion with Ms. Steinhäusl and Mr. Schischlik was very interesting as
was the guided tour through the building.
In general I want to add, that many of my colleagues have picked up the idea during this
trip of working for one or the other organization and this clearly shows, that the program
the IMC offers is not only designed for us to work in the private sector, but also showing
us that we have the knowledge and the ability to engage ourselves in the work of profit and
non-profit organizations.
I also believe that this study trip also gave us the opportunity to come closer as a group to
get to know people better with whom we did not have close relationships with. We all had
fun together despite eventual “group memberships” of people which was probably one of
the best experiences of the study trip. We all were exploring two great cities, namely Paris
and Geneva which I have not visited before. Therefore I also like to thank those people of
the class who acted as tourist guide and provided us with useful information on restaurants,
bars and sights in the cities.
All in all there is just one thing left to say, I enjoyed it very much and had a great time.
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Pia Jetzinger
Student Export-Oriented Management 6th
Semester
IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
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132
Dear Anis, dear Organizational Team!
Having settled in Krems again after being on the 'road' for almost two weeks, I would like
to take the opportunity to thank you, Anis, for giving us the opportunity to gain all these
impressive insights and impressions of the different institutions we visited during the last
week. I very much appreciated experiencing those two cities from a completely different
perspective. Additionally I would like to thank our organizational group for asserting a
smooth trip in terms of scheduling issues. I had the impression everything worked out very
well.
This trip for sure can be seen as a long-term benefit for all of us.
Kind regards,
Christoph Lachmair
Student Export-Oriented Management 6th
Semester
IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
Dear Anis,
Thank you very much for your email and thank you very much for enabling us to go to
Geneva and Paris. I have never been in these cities before and such important institutions
respectively. Truely, I will keep this memories a life time long. Such events distinguish us
export students from others and this is only due to you.
Warm regards,
Mario Maziborsky
Student Export-Oriented Management 6th
Semester
IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems
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133
12 CONTACT INFORMATION
Austrian Mission to the International
Organizations in Geneva
www.mfa.at/geneva
Ms Christina Kokkinakis
Ms Brigitte Lüth
Ms Eva Schöfer
Ms Julia Wimmer
Dr. Helmut Friza
Mr. Markus Weidinger
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
www.iccwbo.org
Ms. Emily O‟Connor
Mr. Loïc Coutelier
Ms. Mathilde Vital-Durand
Ms. Katharine Bernet
Mr. Jérôme Auchère
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
www.icrc.org
International Energy Agency (IEA)
www.iea.org
Ms. Nancy Turck
International Labor Organization (ILO)
www.ilo.org
Mr. Hans von Rohland
Ms Caroline O‟Reilly
Ms Udine Gröger
International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
www.itu.int
Ms Cristina Bueti
Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD)
www.oecd.org
Mr. Christoph Mayer
Permanent Delegation of Austria to the OECD
United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development (UNCTAD)
www.unctad.org
Ms. Edna Dos Santos
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE)
www.unece.org
Mr. Jean Rodriguez
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United Nations Educational and Scientific
Organization (UNESCO)
www.unesco.org
Dr. Alexander Schischlik
H.E. Amb. Helene Steinhäusl,
Ambassador
United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)
www.unog.org
World Bank Europe
www.worldbank.org/europe
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
www.wipo.int
Ms. Cathy Jewell
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13 TIMETABLE OF FORMER STUDY TRIPS
TIME INSTITUTION TOPIC SPEAKER
Monday, 14th
April 2008 (Geneva)
10:15-11:30
UNCTAD (United
Nations Conference
on Trade and
Development)
Introduction to
UNCTAD
Mr. Ramoul
Kheireddine, Expert on
accession to WTO
11:30-12:15
UNOG (United
Nations Office at
Geneva)
Guided tour through
the facilities
01:00-01:30
ICRC (Museum of
International Red
Cross)
Tour through the
museum
03:15-04:30
WIPO (World
Intellectual Property
Organization)
Intellectual Property
and the Wold
Intellectual Property
Organization
Ms. Tamara
Nanayakkara,
Counsellor SMEs
Division
Tuesday, 15th
April 2008 (Geneva)
09:30-11:00
ITU (International
Telecommunication
Union)
History, structure &
activities of the
Organization
Ms. Cristina Bueti,
Corporate Strategy
Division
11:30-12:30
ILO (International
Labour
Organization)
Introduction to the
Organization and
activities of ILO
Mr. Hans von Rohland,
Senior Information
Officer
12:35-01:00
ILO Special Action
Program to combat
Forced Labour
Forced Labour and
Human Trafficking Ms. Anne Pawletta
03:15-05:30
Austrian Mission to
the International
Organizations in
Geneva
Mission Briefing Ms. Christina
Kokkinakis, Minister
Plen., Ch. d’Affaires;
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136
Ms. Elisabeth
Brandstetter, Attaché;
Dr. Helmut Friza,
Minister Plen.;
Mr. Michael Schoiswohl,
Attaché;
Mr. Georg Zehetner,
First Secretary;
Mr. Markus Weidinger,
First Sec.
05:30-07:00
Austrian Mission to
the International
Organizations in
Geneva
Reception
Ms. Christina
Kokkinakis, Minister
Plenipotentiary, Charché
d’Affaires
Wednesday, 16th
April 2008 (Paris)
03:00-03:45
OECD
(Organization for
Economic
Cooperation and
Development)
The OECD: History,
Structure and
Accessing Documents
Mr. Jochen Picht,
Manager Existing
Business and Renewals,
Public Affairs and
Communication
Directorate
03:45-04:30
Permanent
Delegation of
Austria to the
OECD
The Role of the
Austrian Delegation
at the OECD
Mr. Tobias Gamper,
Member of the
Permanent Mission of
Austria to the OECD
04:45-05:30 IEA (International
Energy Agency)
Energy Efficiency,
Climate Change, IEA
policy, renewable
energies
Ms. Samantha Ölz,
Policy Analyst at the
Renewable Energy Unit
06:00-07:30
Residence of H.E.
Ambassador Dr.
Wolfgang Petritsch Reception
H.E. Ambassador Dr.
Wolfgang Petritsch
Thursday, 17th
April 2008 (Paris)
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137
10:00-12:00 World Bank Europe World Bank Europe –
Scope and Work
Ms. Valérie Chevalier,
External Affairs WB
02:30-03:30
UNESCO (United
Nations Educational
Scientific and
Cultural
Organization)
Scope and Work of
UNESCO; the role of
the Austrian
Delegation to the
UNESCO
Dr. Alexander
Schischlik, Chief of
Executive Office;
Mag. Helene Steinhäusl,
Minister and Deputy
Permanent Delegate of
the Permanent
Delegation of Austria to
UNESCO
Friday, 18th
April 2008 (Paris)
10:00-11:30
ICC (International
Chamber of
Commerce)
History and scope of
work of ICC, ADR,
DOCDEX, Expertise,
Dispute Board
Mr. Julian Kassum;
Ms. Bozena Nawrot
11:30-12:30 ICC Arbitration
Role of the court and
the ICC arbitration
rules
Ms. Tessa Manuello
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138
TIME INSTITUTION TOPIC SPEAKER
Monday, 16th
April 2007 (Geneva)
09:30-10:30
UNCTAD (United
Nations Conference on
Trade and
Development)
Mandate, role and
activities of the
Organization &
Creative Industries
Ms. Lisanne Losier,
President of the
Sectoral Assembly of
UNCTAD;
Ms. Edna dos Santos,
Senior Economic
Affairs Officer
10:30-11:30
UNECE (United
Nations Economic
Commission for
Europe)
Scope of work Mr. Jean Michel
Jakobowicz, Public
Information Officer
11:30-12:45 UNOG (United Nations
Office at Geneva)
Guided tour through
the facilities
01:45-02:45
ICRC (Museum of
International Red
Cross)
Tour through the
museum
03:15-04:30
WIPO (World
Intellectual Property
Organization)
General overview of
the history, structure
and activities of the
Organisation
Ms. Cathy Jewell,
Senior Information
Officer/Media
Relations & Public
Affairs Section
Tuesday, 17th
April 2007 (Geneva)
09:30-11:00
ITU (International
Telecommunication
Union)
History, structure &
activities of the
Organization
Mr. Venen Paratian,
Chief of Protocol
11:30-01:45 ILO (International
Labour Organization)
Presentations on the
activities
Mr. Hans von Rohland,
Senior Information
Officer;
Ms. R. van
Snellenberg, Training
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139
and Technical
Cooperation Librarian;
Ms. L. Pecherina,
Information Resources
Specialist
03:00-06:15
Austrian Mission to the
International
Organizations in
Geneva
WTO – The art of
multilateral
negotiations rounds
Dr. P. Jankowitsch,
Former Austrian
Foreign Minister;
H.E. Amb. Wolfgang
Petritsch, Chief of
Mission;
Dr. Helmut Friza,
Attaché for Public
Health;
Ms. M. Reich-Rohrwig,
Deputy Head of
Mission;
Dr. Michael
Schoiswohl, Junior
Professional Officer at
UNDP;
Mr. Markus Weidinger,
Attaché for
Humanitarian Affairs;
Ms. E. Marschang,
Counsellor of the
Mission
Wednesday, 18th
April 2007 (Paris)
03:00-04:00
OECD (Organization
for Economic
Cooperation and
Development)
The OECD: History,
Structure and
Accessing
Documents
Mr. Jochen Picht,
Public Affairs and
Communication
Directorate
04:00-04:45 Permanent Delegation
of Austria to the OECD
The Role of the
Austrian Delegation Ms. Sandra Scheffel,
Counsellor for Public
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140
at the OECD Governance
04:45-05:30 IEA (International
Energy Agency)
Energy Efficiency
and Climate
Change: Course of
Action
Ms. Barbara Buchner,
Energy and
Environment
Analyst/Energy
Efficiency and
Environment Division
Thursday, 19th
April 2007 (Paris)
10:30-12:30 World Bank Europe World Bank Europe
– Scope and Work Ms. Catherine Doody,
External Affairs WB
03:00-04:00
UNESCO (United
Nations Educational
Scientific and Cultural
Organization)
Scope and Work Dr. Alexander
Schischlik, Chief of
Executive Office
04:00-05:00 Austrian Mission to the
UNESCO Mission Briefing H.E. Ambassador
Harald Wiesner
Friday, 20th
April 2007 (Paris)
10:00-11:30
ICC (International
Chamber of
Commerce)
History and scope of
work of ICC, ADR,
DOCDEX,
Expertise, Dispute
Board
Mr. Julian Kassum;
Ms. Mélanie Meilhac
11:30-12:30 ICC Arbitration
Role of the court
and the ICC
arbitration rules
Ms. Géraldine
Scarfoglière
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141
TIME INSTITUTION TOPIC SPEAKER
Monday, 24th
April 2006 (Geneva)
09:00-10:15
UNECE (United
Nations Economic
Commission for
Europe)
Briefing Mr. Jean Michel
Jakobowicz, Public
Information Officer
11:45-02:00 UNOG (United Nations
Office at Geneva)
Guided tour through
the facilities
02:30-04:00
ICRC (Museum of
International Red
Cross)
Guided tour through
the museum
Tuesday, 25th
April 2006 (Geneva)
09:30-01:00 ILO (International
Labour Organization)
Presentations on the
activities
Mr. Hans von Rohland,
Senior Information
Officer
01:15-04:00
UNCTAD (United
Nations Conference on
Trade and
Development)
Presentation
Thursday, 26th
April 2006 (Paris)
03:00-03:45
OECD (Organization
for Economic Co-
operation and
Development
The OECD: History,
Structure and
Accessing
Documents
Mr. Jochen Picht,
Public Affairs and
Communication
Directorate
03:45-04:30 Permanent Delegation
of Austria to the OECD
The Role of the
Austrian Delegation
at the OECD
Ms. Sandra Scheffel,
Counsellor for Public
Governance
04:30-05:15 IEA (International
Energy Agency) Presentation Ms. Philipine de
T‟Sercalaes
Friday, 27th
April 2006 (Paris)
01:00-03:00 DEXIA Presentations
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142
14 CREDITS
Technical Report Plewa, Traxler, Werner
Comparison Technical Reports Pasalic
Photos Amon, Fleck, Schächinger, Schmalzl
UNCTAD Caruceriu, Wohlesser
UNECE Grandl, Kager
UNOG Jursitzky, Lenzbauer
ICRC Emhofer, Haas, Knoll
WIPO Grill, Schörghuber
ITU Greisberger, Hochreiter
ILO Buchmayr, Nagl, Vucur
Austrian Mission to Int. Org. in Geneva Artmüller, Floh, Fuchs, List, Pichler
OECD Eder, Hell, Schön
IEA Kriszmann, Maziborsky, Sukhotinova
ICC + ICC Arbitration Freiler, Pfeifer, Philipp, Saulich
UNESCO Brauchart, Lachmair, Obersberger
World Bank Europe Böck, Kopplenek, Poxleitner
Francophonie Huttar, Parzer
Diary – Sunday, 10.05. Engl, Suszek
Diary – Monday, 11.05. Orthofer, Weber
Diary – Tuesday, 12.05. Benak, Nussbaumer
Diary – Wednesday, 13.05. Robinig, Stögerer
Diary – Thursday, 14.05. Gartner, Winkler
Diary – Friday, 15.05. Eckl, Staufer
Diary – Saturday, 16.05. Dunzinger, Forstinger
Final Draft of the report Gitau, Jetzinger, Neudorfer, Satzinger,
Terreu, Ullmann, Yang, Zhang
Study Trip Report 2009
143
Study Trip 2009
Export 2006