UNITAR is proposing to offer a 4-week e-learning course on Global Financial Governance for government officials and policy makers in June-July 2009. The course director will be Professor Daniel Bradlow, who is the SARCHI Professor for International Development Law and African Economic Relations at the University of Pretoria, Professor of Law and Director of the International Legal Studies Program at American University Washington College of Law and a member of the Roster of Experts of the Independent Review Mechanism of the African Development Bank.

The Program will consist of 3 modules. The purpose of the course is to provide government officials and policy makers in developing countries with both background information on the institutions of global financial governance and a forum for learning about and discussing current issues in the negotiations relating to global financial governance reform. The following is a brief overview of each course module.

Module 1: The Institutions in Global Financial Governance: Regulating the Global Financial System:
This module will focus on the institutional arrangements that exist for coordinating financial regulation in both national and international markets. The institutions to be considered will include the International Monetary Fund, the Financial Stability Forum, the Basel Committee of Banking Supervisors, International Organization of Security Commissions (IOSCO), International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), International Accounting Standards Board (IASB).

The course readings will discuss the structure and regulatory function of the institutions being considered. They will also serve as the basis for discussion amongst course participants on the role that developing countries can/should play in these institutions and on the most salient issues on their agendas.

Module 2: The Institutions in Global Financial Governance: Development Financing:
This module will focus on the international organizations that provide financing to developing countries. The institutions to be considered will include the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, Regional Development Banks, as well as other multilateral organizations and mechanisms for funding development, such as the Global Environmental Facility and the Clean Development Mechanism.

The course readings will address the structure and functions of the institutions being considered in this module. They will serve as a basis for discussion amongst course participants on ways in which developing countries use/should use these institutions and on the most salient issues related to these institutions.

Module 3: Reforming Global Financial Governance:
This module will focus on the forums in which discussions about reforming global financial governance are taking place and on the agenda for these discussions. The forums to be considered will include the G-7, G-20, the International Monetary Fund, the World Trade Organization, and the Financial Stability Forum.

The course readings will address the structure and mandate of these forums. They will serve as the basis for discussion amongst course participants on ways in which developing countries are/should be participating in these forums and on developing country perspectives on the issues on their agendas.
 

This course is designed as an online course in which participants will be primarily responsible for their own learning. Each lesson will consist of the following components:

1) Basic Reading Materials (Compulsory Reading Materials): these materials are intended to educate the participants about the basic concepts and principles applicable to the subject-matter of the lesson. It will include, where appropriate, sample materials. These materials will constitute the required reading materials for the lesson

2) Advanced Reading Materials (Optional Reading Materials): this will consist of optional reading materials for participants who wish to learn more about the topic than what is covered in the lesson.

3) External Links: This will refer the interested participants to additional books, articles, documents, and websites that deal with the issues raised in the lesson.

4) Glossary: A glossary of terms tailored to the online course will be provided to the participants and act as a learning support during the entire course.

5) Quizzes: At the end of each lesson there will be a set of quizzes for participants to answer. These quizzes are designed to test the participant's understanding of the lesson. Participants are required to pass each quiz and obtain at least 80% or more passing grade in order to be eligible for a certificate. All quizzes will need to be taken online.

6) Community Discussion Board: There will be a community discussion board available on which participants can post questions or comments that can be seen by the instructor and the other participants. This discussion board will be moderated by the course director and UNITAR. Structured discussion strings will be posted on a weekly basis.

All successful participants will be eligible to a certificate after completion of this online course.