This UNITAR online course aims at developing awareness and understanding of organizations which operate internationally as well as regionally in dealing with finance and debt management issues. The course will focus primarily on the institutions which are important sources of development finance and provide policy advice to governments of developing and least developed countries in their financial matters. Using an approach grounded in institutional analysis and political economy, the course gives participants a thorough understanding of the institutional structure, purpose and functions of these different institutions together with their achievements and latest initiatives.
 

This course is designed for professionals working on sovereign debts, interested individuals or researchers, public finance managers, central bankers, ministries of finance and finance officials. Putting the issue in the larger context it hopes to improve understanding of the background and functions of various institutions dealing with finance and debt management, what they have achieved so far, and how they are further contributing into this field by their various latest initiatives.
 

This course is designed for professionals from government ministries, public or private entities involved with finance and debt issues, as well for academics working on these issue, employees of international organisations, NGO-officials or interested individuals.
 

This course aims at:

• Providing background knowledge to understand various international and regional institutions in a larger context.
  
• Developing an understanding of the organization, functions and modalities of various institutions working in finance and debt management areas.
  
• Providing information about the various financial and training facilities extended by these different organisations, their modus operandi, and terms and conditionalities.
  
• Providing information about the various programmes started by these international and regional organizations which could assist in maximizing the development impact.
  
  

Course Structure

Module 1: The World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund

Module 2: Bank Of International Settlements (BIS) and The Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)

Module 3: United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and The United Nations Conference On Trade And Development (UNCTAD)

Module 4: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

UNITAR online courses attempt to create a networked learning environment, in which participants have the flexibility to learn at their own convenience and pace but also are able to interact with peers and experts through the discussion board facility.

This online course will be conducted in the English language.
 

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.