World Trade Organisation launches 2012 essay award for young economists

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) February 16, 2012 launched the “2012 Essay Award for Young Economists”. The award aims to promote high-quality research on trade policy and international trade co-operation among young economists.

According to the WTO, the essay must address issues related to trade policy and international trade co-operation.

Giving the eligibility of persons on the essay, the WTO explains; “The author(s) of the paper must possess or be engaged in the completion of a PhD degree and, if over 30 years of age, be no more than two years past a PhD defence. In the case of co-authored papers, this requirement shall apply to all authors. In addition, to be considered for the Award, essays cannot exceed 15,000 words.”

Deadline for submission of the essays is June 1, 2012, it noted. “The Economic Research and Statistics Division of the WTO Secretariat will shortlist eligible papers by June 15, 2012 and the Selection Panel will take a final decision by July 15, 2012. Only the author(s) of short-listed essays will be notified,” the body said in a statement.

All submissions should be sent to [email protected]. Submissions should be included as separate attachments in PDF format:

1. the essay

2. the CV of the author(s), specifying (i) current affiliation(s), (ii) the academic institution awarding the PhD, (iii) the year (or the expected year) of the PhD, (iv) the date of birth of the author(s).

The award ceremony will take place in September 2012 in Leuven, Belgium. The winning author(s) will receive funding to attend the meeting, the WTO says.

By Ekow Quandzie