The World Trade Organization (WTO) is hosting a unique event to empower young professionals and researchers who are interested in trade and gender issues. The Youth Trade Summit on Gender, which will take place on 13-14 November 2023 at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, aims to create a platform for dialogue, learning, and networking among the next generation of trade and gender experts.
The Summit is organized jointly with the WTO Gender Research Hub, a network of academics and researchers from around the world who specialize in trade and gender topics. The Hub was launched in 2021 as part of the WTO’s efforts to enhance its work on trade and gender, following the adoption of the Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment in 2017.
The Summit will feature interactive sessions, panel discussions, and workshops on various aspects of trade and gender, such as the impact of trade policies on women’s economic opportunities, the role of women in global value chains, the challenges and opportunities of digital trade for women, and the linkages between trade, gender, and environmental sustainability. The participants will also have the opportunity to present their own research or policy work on trade and gender issues and receive feedback from peers and experts.
The event is open to young professionals and researchers aged 20-35 who work or study in academic and research institutions such as foundations, research center’s, think tanks, and policy research settings. Nominations must be made by the relevant academic/research institution or governmental authority. No individual applications will be considered. A total of 50 nominees will be selected by members of the WTO Gender Research Hub to participate in the Youth Trade Summit on Gender at the WTO. Nominees’ travel costs and expenses to participate in the Summit must be funded by their nominating academic/research institution or government.
The Youth Trade Summit on Gender will also feature a book launch, a networking event, and an award ceremony, recognising pioneers in the research field of trade and gender. The book, titled “Trade and Gender: A Global Perspective”, is a collection of essays by leading scholars and practitioners on various aspects of trade and gender. The networking event will provide an opportunity for the participants to connect with each other and with representatives from the WTO, other international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The award ceremony will honour three individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing trade and gender research or policy.
The Youth Trade Summit on Gender is a unique opportunity for young professionals and researchers to engage in discussions on trade and gender issues, learn from experts, showcase their work, and expand their network. The event will also contribute to raising awareness and generating knowledge on trade and gender issues among a wider audience. The WTO hopes that the Summit will inspire more young people to pursue careers or studies in trade and gender fields and foster a new generation of trade and gender experts who can shape the future of global trade.
Elise Evina