Presentations of COPLA's panel on the 2008 WTO Public Forum

SESSION 38
TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND POVERTY:
POLICY CHALLENGES FROM LATIN AMERICA

ORGANIZED BY:
CONSORCIO DE INVESTIGACIÓN ECONÓMICA Y SOCIAL (CIES, PERU)
CENTRO DE IMPLEMENTACIÓN DE POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS PARA LA EQUIDAD Y EL CRECIMIENTO (CIPPEC, ARGENTINA)
OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (ODI, UNITED KINGDOM)

Sub-theme 3: Ways forward for the multilateral trading system

Date: Thursday 25th September, 16:30 - 18:30

Abstract

Latin America is a region with significant levels of persistent poverty and high inequality. Larger trade flows offer the opportunity to increase the rate of poverty reduction directly, through increased job opportunities and reduced cost of consumption, and indirectly, by accelerating growth. However, in Latin America, increased international trade flows brought about by liberalisation have yet to contribute significantly to faster growth and poverty reduction. Therefore, making trade pro-poor is a key policy challenge for Latin America and for the international trade system, since it can contribute to its sustainability in developing countries.

Experts increasingly recognise that for the poor to benefit from trade liberalisation, complementary social and economic policies linked to trade are needed to help the poor take advantage of new opportunities, and to protect and help the most vulnerable and socially excluded sectors (women, youth, indigenous).
This session will provide an opportunity to discuss the major policy challenges that are relevant to foster a positive and significant effect of trade liberalization on development. The high-level panelists will be invited to share their views on which role can complementary policies play in enabling Latin American countries to benefit from trade liberalization. They will also give their perspectives on the value of a pro-poor focus when designing and implementing trade agreements.
The session will have 5 speakers. Each participant will have 15 minutes for their presentations, after we expect to have a lively debate.
Chair:
 Enrique Mendizábal, Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute (ODI, UK). COPLA Programme Coordinator.
Speakers:
 Waldo Mendoza, Chief, Department of Economics, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Former Vice-Minister of Treasury (CIES, Peru).
“International trade, poverty and income distribution: perspectives from Latin America”
 Juliana Peixoto, Research Fellow, Latin American Social Sciences Faculty (FLACSO, Argentina). Coordinator of the Latin American Trade Network (LATN).
“Trade and Poverty in Latin America: the perspective of a policy-oriented research network”
 Nicola Jones, Research Fellow, Overseas Development Institute (ODI, UK). COPLA Programme Coordinator.
“Untangling links between trade, poverty, gender and youth”
 Alan Fairlie, Principal Professor, Department of Economics, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru. Coordinator of the Andean Node, Latin American Trade Network (LATN). CIES Associate
“Asymmetries and Poverty: Challenges for North-South Agreements”
 Sheila Page, Senior Research Associate, Overseas Development Institute (ODI, UK)
“What should happen after a trade agreement?”