WORLD TRADE RESTRICTED WT/BFA/W/91 17 March 2003 ORGANIZATION (03-1555)

Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration

PROPOSED DONATION PURSUANT TO THE GUIDELINES APPROVED BY THE GENERAL COUNCIL ON 15 DECEMBER 2000 (WT/L/386)

Notification to the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration

1. Donor: The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), a German-based non-profit foundation funded mainly through donations from central and regional German governments.

2. Activities, Aims and Motivations of Donor: According to information provided by the FES, its activities in development cooperation are seen as a contribution to: the improvement of political and social framework conditions; the democratization of social structures; the strengthening of free trade unions; the improvement of communication and media structures; regional and international media cooperation; regional cooperation between states and different interest groups; and, overcoming the North-South divide.

3. Purpose of the Donation: To facilitate the participation of developing country journalists in a series of three, 2 ½ day seminars (in English, French and Spanish) designed to familiarize these journalists with current WTO issues and build their capacity to write on WTO topics, which is in line with the WTO general technical assistance approach. It is recalled that the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration had agreed to the Director-General’s acceptance of the FES sponsoring of three similar courses (in English, French and Spanish) in 2001-2002.

4. Nature and Estimated Value of Donation: The donation is mainly an "in-kind" donation of airline tickets directly from FES to selected journalists. FES would also pay hotel expenses and provide participants with a subsistence allowance. No funds would pass through WTO. The estimated value of the donation to cover the three separate courses is approximately CHF 150,000.

5. Previous WTO Experience with Donor: The FES provided substantial financial assistance to facilitate developing country journalists' coverage of the Singapore (96), Geneva (98), Seattle (99) and Doha (01) Ministerial Conferences, as well as the 1997 High Level Meeting on LDCs. (see paragraph 3 above). It is foreseen that the FES will again provide financial assistance for developing country journalists at the 5th Ministerial Conference in Cancun.

6. WTO Secretariat Review of Proposal: This proposal was reviewed on 14 March 2003 by a WTO Secretariat Committee comprised of the DDG responsible for financial issues and representatives from the Legal Affairs Division, the Administration and General Services Division, the Development Division, the External Relations Division and the Information and Media Relations Division. The Secretariat Committee approved this proposal for submission to the Committee on Budget. Finance and Administration for consideration by the Committee.

7. Additional Background Information: Additional background information is provided in the attachment to this notification. WT/BFA/W/91 Page 2

ATTACHMENT

Additional Background Information on the Proposed Donation by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)

Background materials in this document are concerned with a proposal by the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (Geneva and Bonn offices) to financially assist the WTO with training courses for journalists.

The materials in this document consist of the following:

(a) A description of the FES's origins, main aims, activities and composition taken from the FES website at: http://www.fes.de

(b) A copy of the WTO's proposal to undertake training courses in Geneva for journalists from industrialized and developing countries, including the least-developed countries, in English, French and Spanish

(c) A draft outline of subject areas to be covered in a typical two and a half day training programme, and

(d) An estimate of the financial value of the FES's contribution and division of work between the WTO and the FES. WT/BFA/W/91 Page 3

A. DESCRIPTION OF FES'S ORIGINS, AIMS AND COMPOSITION

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Committed to Social Democracy...

History

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung or FES (Stiftung is the German word for foundation) was founded in 1925 as a political legacy of Germany's first democratically elected president, Friedrich Ebert, who died in that year.

Ebert, a Social Democrat of humble origins, had risen to hold the highest office in his country despite considerable opposition from his political adversaries. He assumed the burden of the presidency in a country which was crisis-ridden following its defeat in World War I. His own personal experience led him to propose the establishment of a foundation with a threefold aim:

• furthering a democratic, pluralistic political culture by means of political education for all classes of society, • facilitating access to higher education for gifted young people by providing scholarships, • contributing to international understanding and co-operation wherever possible to avert a fresh outbreak of war and conflict.

The Foundation, which was immediately banned by the Nazis in 1933 and not re-established until 1947 after World War II, continues today to pursue those aims and has developed extensive programmes in each of the above areas.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung today is a non-profit making, political public-interest institution committed to the principles and basic values of social democracy in its educational and policy- orientated work.

Facts and Figures

• Staff: A total of 581 in the head office in Bonn, the six educational centres, the twelve regional offices and abroad. • Budget: Approx. 204 million DM (in 2000); mainly central and regional government funding. • Activities: In Germany alone around 150,000 people took part in 2000 in more than 3,000 adult education courses, discussion forums and conferences. • Branches: Offices in 90 countries (2000). Activities in more than 100 countries. • Scholarships: 1,700 scholarships were awarded in 2000, 340 of those to nationals of other countries. Over 430 first-time scholarship holders in the same year. • Library: Largest specialized library on the German and international labour movement with more than 600.000 volumes. • Archives: Largest collection of documents on the history of the German labour movement. WT/BFA/W/91 Page 4

International Work

DEVELOPMENTAL CO-OPERATION In the Foundation's offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania approx. 90 German staff and about 500 foreign nationals are involved in projects in the fields of economic and social development, socio-political education and information, the media and communication and providing advisory services. Approximately half of the Foundation's annual budget is devoted to this co- operation with our partners in the trade unions, politics, the business and academic communities, the media and the arts.

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung sees its activities in the developing countries as a contribution to: • the improvement of political and social framework conditions, • the democratization of social structures, • the strengthening of free trade unions, • the improvement of communication and media structures, • regional and international media co-operation, • regional co-operation between states and different interest groups, • overcoming the North-South conflict.

INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES

The Foundation has offices in 38 of the OECD countries, in Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. Together with its partners in the trade unions, education and research, public administration, local government and various social groups and organisations the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung fosters dialogue amongst all democratic forces with the aim of bringing about a balance of interests, solving conflicts and developing policy options. The activities and publications of the "Eurokolleg" are centred on the study of the opportunities and problems within the European Union.

In the reform states of Eastern Europe the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is involved in supporting the transition to a market economy and establishing a civil society, particularly in the fields of labour market, social, environmental and media policy.

National Work

POLITICAL EDUCATION

The aim of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's work in the field of political education is to enable the people of the Federal Republic of Germany and its organisations to determine the future of their own society and be actively involved in the political process.

The six educational centres and the 12 regional offices are making a major contribution to the social integration of East and West Germany. The educational work of the Foundation is supported by the German Trades Union Congress (DGB) and the German Salaried Employees'Union (DAG). The programmes are carried out in co-operation with universities, women's associations, the German Sport Federation, agricultural associations, the Armed Forces, the police, church organisations, teachers associations, parents associations, youth and senior citizens groups, works councils in the WT/BFA/W/91 Page 5 public and private sectors, Amnesty International, members of local government, development policy groups, chambers of trade and commerce and press associations.

RESEARCH

In its practice-orientated research work the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung attaches particular importance to analyzing the economic, social and political problems in connection with the German unification process. In this respect the Foundation sees its role as providing a discussion forum for the future development of social democracy. Through its research projects, symposia, debates and a wide variety of publications in the fields of economic policy, labour and social research, technology and society, social and contemporary history as well as foreign policy research, the Foundation annually attracts thousands of experts from economic and political life, public administration, the trade unions, the academic world and the media.

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

In its scholarship programme the Foundation supports students and young post-graduates with outstanding academic qualifications from Germany and abroad for whom an academic education is not only a first step to a successful career but an expression of their commitment to society, democracy and the country.

For further information: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung

Press and Information Section

Godesberger Allee 149 53170 Bonn

Telephone (0228) 883-0 or 883-666

Telefax (0228) 883-396 WT/BFA/W/91 Page 6

B. PROPOSAL FOR WTO TRAINING COURSES FOR JOURNALISTS

Objective: Invite journalists and editors with little knowledge about trade issues to Geneva to learn about the WTO and national trade policy so that they can be better equipped to write well-informed articles about issues facing the multilateral trading system

The WTO's Information and Media Relations Division plans to organize a series of training courses for journalists interested in learning more about the WTO's Agreements and current and future negotiations. The idea is to hold three seminars a year, one in English, one in French and a third in Spanish and to mix correspondents from industrialized with those from developing and least-developed countries. This type of interaction should provide participants with a variety of global perspectives.

Structure of the courses:

The courses are designed for small groups totalling no more than 20 persons. Half the participants would come from developing and least-developed countries, the other half from industrialized countries.

The courses would last two and half days and address the following topics:

- Fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system

- Economic rationale for trade

- WTO Agreements with strong emphasis on GATS, Agriculture, TRIPS, Regionalism, WTO Rules (anti-dumping, subsidies and safeguards), Development, Trade and Environment, Market Access and Dispute Settlement

- During their stay in Geneva, journalists will also have time to interview the WTO's DG or DDGs, to meet with their respective government representatives and, if interested, other Geneva-based IGOs.

Funding: Outside funding would have to be secured to cover travel and hotel costs for journalists from developing and least-developed countries. Costs associated with travel to and from Geneva and for a three night's stay amount to about CHF 5,000 per participant.

Sponsors are therefore requested to budget up to a maximum CHF 50,000 per course. WT/BFA/W/91 Page 7

Costs for journalists from industrialized countries would be covered by their respective news organizations. Ideally, funding for developing country journalists would come from one source, but could also involve a partnership arrangement whereby several sources provide funding for one or more courses each year.

Selection of journalists:

The editors of key English, French and Spanish newspapers in industrialised countries would be invited to nominate staff members to participate in the courses. Those from developing and least-developed countries would be selected by organizations with excellent media contacts in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Accommodations:

A central idea behind the training courses is for the participants to interact as much as possible. Therefore, it is key that they all stay in the same hotel. The WTO has special arrangements with hotels located near its premises. These rates are affordable and should not stand in the way of obtaining funding from potential donors.

C. ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE FES CONTRIBUTION AND DIVISION OF WORK

Expenses to attend the training sessions for journalists coming from developing and least- developed countries are estimated at CHF 5,000.-- per person. This amount includes travel costs , hotel costs for four nights and a per diem (the FES will use their own per diem scale and not the WTO's).

The overall cost for 10 participants in each of the training sessions is therefore estimated to be worth CHF 50,000.

The value of the three courses and the FES contribution would therefore amount to CHF 150,000 in 2003 This estimate does not include FES staff time spent on identifying journalists suitable for the three training sessions and coordinating their travel arrangements, worth an estimated CHF 10,000.-

As concerns the nature of the WTO's and FES's participation in the training courses, activities would be divided as follows:

The FES would help select journalists in developing and least-developed countries and arrange and pay for their travel costs to and from Geneva. It would also cover their hotel and per diem expenses. The FES would settle all payments directly so there would not be any money transferred to the WTO as such.

The WTO, on the other hand, would identify news organizations and journalists working in industrialized countries (and some wealthier developing countries) and invite them to come to Geneva at their own expense. The WTO would also provide staff to give short lectures on their area of expertise.

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