World Trade Institute

The World Trade Institute (WTI) is a leading academic institution dedicated to studies, teaching and research in international trade and investment regulation, economic globalisation and sustainability. It is directed by Professor Joseph Francois. As a University of Bern centre of excellence with an international, interdisciplinary focus, the WTI explores the interconnections between the fields of law, economics and political science. The institute maintains close ties to the Institute of European and International Economic Law (IEW) at the University of Bern.

The WTI provides graduate study courses and a forum for interdisciplinary research and teaching in international trade law and economics. Fostering interaction between students and professionals, the institute allows researchers and practitioners to establish networks and pool expertise. The WTI offers a doctoral programme within the Graduate School of Economic Globalisation and Integration, a Master’s programme in international trade law and economics (MILE), a joint LLM and DAS (TRAIL+), a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS), a Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS), weekly courses, an annual Summer Academy, a Joint Academy on International Trade Law and Policy in India, and advisory services. In 2005 the WTI became the leading research centre for the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research — NCCR Trade Regulation — which is funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and runs until 2017. The WTI hosts an annual World Trade Forum conference where international experts from the fields of law, economy, political science and international relations discuss a contemporary topic related to the world trading system. Papers, comments and conclusions from these conferences are published in the World Trade Forum Book Series by Cambridge University Press.

The WTI offers a wide range of study options for graduates in law, economics, political science or international relations who are looking to further their knowledge of international trade law and economics.

Open to Master’s level graduates in economics, law and political science, the programme is targeted at students interested in writing theses that cross the boundaries between the three disciplines. Special features include a monthly interdisciplinary seminar series, doctoral colloquia for presenting individual research and giving feedback to peers, and an annual retreat.

The Master of International Law and Economics (MILE) is the flagship programme of the WTI, established in 1999. It offers advanced studies in the field of international trade regulation and WTO law from the combined perspectives of law, economics and international political economy. The MILE student body is both multidisciplinary and multinational in character, with the annual intake of around 30 students typically representing as many countries. Many MILE students have prior training or professional experience in the field of international trade. The programme is an intensive academic year of interdisciplinary learning with emphasis on the acquisition of practical skills in trade diplomacy and policy analysis.

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