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International trans-disciplinary conference focusing on practice and theory of trade policy for small states in the contemporary global economy drawing on the experience and lessons from the Caribbean.

Call for Papers

Caribbean Conference on Trade Policy, Innovation Governance and Small State Competitiveness

11-13 June, 2012

Shridath Ramphal Centre, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Barbados

www.shridathramphalcentre.org

The conference is organized by the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus. Barbados (under the auspices of the WTO/UWI Chair) in conjunction with the Institute of International Relations at the UWI, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago; and the Institute for Sustainable Development at the Mona Campus, UWI, Jamaica.

Important Dates

Deadline for submission of 500 word abstracts: March 9, 2012

Notification of acceptance: March 31, 2012

Full Paper Submission: May 18, 2012

Commencement of conference: June 11-13, 2012

For further details and to submit abstracts contact Dr. Indianna Minto-Coy at: caribbeantradeconference@gmail.com

Conference Theme

Over the past two to three decades Caribbean countries and other small states have become less competitive as exemplified by a decline in export diversification and increased concentration in exports and markets. Most small states have extremely high levels of trade specialization, in the export of low value-added raw materials, commodities, manufacturing (e.g. clothing and electronics) as well as services exports (e.g. tourism and financial services). These challenges are further exacerbated by the high dependence on the importation of food and energy and increased economic burden of health care.

Emergent trends in the global economy (e.g. peak oil, food price crises, the rise of the BRICS, climate change adaptation) suggest that small states are faced with increased economic, social and environmental risks. The ongoing global economic downturn only adds to the urgency for a review of trade policy formulation and implementation and a critical inquiry into trade diversification, innovation governance and global competitiveness in small states.

This international trans-disciplinary conference will focus on the practice and theory of trade policy for small states in the contemporary global economy drawing on the experience and lessons from the Caribbean region. In particular, we invite submissions from academics and practitioners on the following themes:

Trade Policy, Negotiations and the Implementation Agenda
- Regional Trade Policy Formulation and Implementation
- The CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement
- The Canada-CARICOM Trade Agreement

Trade Diversification and Regional, Diasporic and Global Markets
- Trade and Innovation Governance
- Trade and Export Facilitation
- Diasporic Trade, Investment and Entrepreneurship

Trade Policy and Innovation Governance in Key Strategic Sectors
- Food Security
- Renewable Energy
- Climate Change

A select number of papers will be published in an edited volume.