Professional Development Scholarships Program

Trade and Environment Seminar[1]

                                                                                                                                                                            OAS/DHDE/CIR.034/2015

1) Place of Study: American University, Washington College of Law, 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington DC. Tel: (202) 274-4000, Fax: 202-274-4226

2) Contact: Nicolle Brolo ([email protected])

3) Start and end dates of the course: June 15^th to June 19^th, 2015

4) Duration of the course: 5 days

5) Language of instruction: English

6) Modality: On site

7) Course Objectives: Train future leaders of developing countries to acquire the tools required to achieve a comprehensive overview of the issues of trade and environment in the context of the sustainable development agenda. Also, at the end of the course participants will have the skills to negotiate and implement international trade agreements that include provisions or have environmental implications with a view to sustainable development.

The course is designed for students with a bachelor's degree seeking a specialization in trade-environment issues. Thus promotes human capital development in the area of trade and the environment. The course provides practical tools for identifying the intersections between trade and environment, the dimensions of international trade, ways of compliance and enforcement of environmental obligations. Moreover they will acquire the necessary tools for negotiating trade agreements related to the environment, they will learn the fundamentals aspects for the implementation of treaties and agreements related to the environment through a simulation of a negotiation. The course offers the opportunity for integration and discussion towards the strengthening of regional cooperation networks in the area of trade and environment.

Finally, the course offers the participants a platform to share experiences and identify needs and opportunities for cooperation between them in the area of trade and environment.

8) Course Content: This program will address the main issues on the agenda of trade and environment, from both a multilateral and regional perspective. Through a series of modules in the program, important areas of trade law and international environmental law and domestic policy are highlighted with the technical issues involving the relationship between trade and environment.

Day 1

Module I: Intersection between Trade and Environment

Module II: Trade and Environment – Law and Policy

Day 2

Module II: Trade and Environment – Law and Policy (continued)

Day 3

Module III: Environmental Dimensions of International Trade

Module IV: Enforcement of Trade-Related Environmental Obligations

Day 4

Module V: Negotiating Agreements

Module VI: Post-Negotiation Issues

Day 5

Negotiation Simulation Exercise

9) Requirements:

• Be a citizen or permanent resident of an OAS Member State (Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brasil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba[2], Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, México, Nicaragua, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, República Dominicana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela), residents must send a copy of their visa; with exception of the United States of America given it is the country where the course is taking place;
• Hold a university degree in environmental science, law, business, economics or administration, international relations, or related fields preferably;
• Submit a Statement of Purpose which includes the priority of trade and environment in your field of work and how you intend to apply the knowledge acquired;
• Proficient in oral and written English
• Curriculum Vitae which includes personal information, academic background, work experience, references;
• Submission of completed application form by the deadline set by the National Liaison Organization (ONE)[3]. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ascertain the deadline set by the ONE in his or her country of residence.

10) Scholarships Benefits:

• The Department of Human Development and Education of the OAS will cover round trip economy class airline tickets from country of origin or residence to Washington, DC, United States of America. Funds for terminal and in-transit expenses are NOT provided[4].
• The Department of Sustainable Development of the OAS and Washington College of Law, American University will cover:
• Scholarship for 50% of tuition (total tuition of $1,000). It also includes the option to stay in the dormitories at American University Washington College of Law for a discounted rate of $80 per night for lodging
• All materials and readings, and certificate issued by the DSD of the OAS and American University-Washington College of Law.

11) OAS Scholarship Selection Criteria In accordance with article 4.2 of the Manual of Procedures of the Scholarship and Training Programs of the OAS, OAS scholarships shall be granted based on the following criteria.

• The objectives and priorities established in the Strategic Plan for Partnership for Development;
• The training priorities of the member states;
• The merits and overall credentials of the candidate, including his/her academic and professional background;
• The financial need of the candidate; and
• An extensive and equitable geographic distribution for the benefit of all member states and that takes into account the greater needs of the smaller and relatively less developed economies.

• Following selection, candidates must notify the OAS Department of Human Development and Education (DHDE) of their willingness to make use of the scholarship during the period indicated, so that the OAS can make the necessary arrangements for the purchase of the coach-class return ticket between the country of origin and the Course venue.
• Scholarship Acceptance Form: The candidates selected must formally accept the Professional Development Scholarship by completing and signing the “Scholarship Acceptance Form” that the Department of Human Development and Education will send them soon after their selection. Only when the DHDE has received that duly signed form will it proceed to arrange for the purchase of the coach-class return air ticket between the country of origin and/or residence and the Course venue.
• It will be incumbent upon each awarded to do what is necessary to obtain in good time the visa(s) she or he will require to enter the United States of America and any transit country (if applicable). The OAS will not defray any immigration or visa-related expenses
•  If a selected candidate accepts the scholarship but later, for compelling reasons, cannot take it up, she or he must immediately notify the Department of Sustainable Development and the Department of Human Development and Education, so that this office can decide what steps to take and make the necessary arrangements.
• If a selected candidate declines the scholarship after the air ticket has been bought without due authorization by the Department of Human Development and Education, or does not travel on the dates established, or changes route, he or she shall be responsible for defraying the cost of the air fare and for any further cost incurred.
• If a selected candidate does not travel on the dates established or changes route after the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (GS/OAS) has bought the ticket, the candidate shall be responsible for paying any difference in the air fare needed to arrive in time for the start of the Course.
• A selected candidate shall reimburse the total cost of the return ticket from his or her country of residence to the country where the Course is held if, after the ticket has been purchased, he or she declines the scholarship without due authorization in writing from the OAS Department of Human Development and Education. This shall include any additional expenditure incurred by the GS/OAS, such as extra accommodation expense during travel by the scholarship-holder from his or her country of origin to the Country in which the Course is held. This shall include any additional expenditure incurred by the GS/OAS, such as extra accommodation expense during travel by the scholarship-holder from his or her country of origin to the Country in which the Course is held.
• An awardee must reimburse the total cost of all benefits received, including the return air fare from/to his or her country of residence and the country hosting the Course and subsistence and other allowances, if she or he does not satisfy the minimum attendance requirement for obtaining the Certificate of Attendance (see point 9), except for reasons of force majeure duly and promptly notified to the Course Coordination Office.

• Select the course: http://www.oas.org/en/scholarships/professionaldev.asp
• After reading the course information fully, click "Continuar/Continue" at the end of the page.
• Fill out the application form.
• After filling out the application form, click "Enviar/Send” at the end of page 5.
• A copy of the application form will be automatically sent to your email address.
• Print and sign the application form sent to your email.
• Submit the signed form and the documents stipulated in the announcement, along with the official OAS documents, that you will find in the following link: http://www.oas.org/es/becas/PDSP/Formularios_becas_PDSP.pdf to the National Liaison office of your country: http://www.oas.org/es/becas/programaregular/one.asp

Any question about submitting applications for this course should be sent to: [email protected]