1. To sensitize government officials and debt managers to the centrality and importance of 'the legal aspects' in public debt management issues.

2. To expose government officials and debt managers to the crucial role of lawyers in debt management transactions.

3. To expose participants to the different phases of the loan cycle and the structuring of documentation for effective public debt management.


INTENDED AUDIENCE

The primary beneficiaries of this course include:

1. Government and private lawyers;

2. Senior and middle-level government officials, policy makers and decision makers (especially those coming from the Ministries of Finance, Justice, Economy, Attorney-General's Offices, Central Banks, parastatals and major borrowers, Public and Private Banks including Development Banks); and

3. University professors, lecturers, and students (especially from the field of law, finance, economics, public and business administration).

 
WEEK 1: INTRODUCTION TO DEBT MANGEMENT (LEGAL ASPECTS) -- Module I
Lesson 1: Legal Aspects of Debt Management and the Role of the Lawyer
Lesson 2: Introduction to Main Economic, Fiscal and Legal Issues of Debt Management

WEEK 2: THE NATIONAL BORROWING PROCESS -- Module II
Lesson 3: Sovereign Borrowing and the Principles of Budgetary Law
Lesson 4: The National Borrowing Process

WEEK 3: INTERNATIONAL SOURCES OF FUNDS -- MODULE III
Lesson 5: International Sources of Funds
Lesson 6: International Financial Institutions (The IMF and the World Bank)
Lesson 7: Export Credit Practice

WEEK 4: LOAN AGREEMENTS -- MODULE IV
Lesson 8: Specific Issues Involving Loan Agreements
Lesson 9: Syndication in relation to Loan Agreements
Lesson 10: The Role of the Lawyer in Financial Transactions

WEEK 5: DISPUTE RESOLUTION AND ARBITRATION -- MODULE V
Lesson 11: The Place and Relevance of Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Lesson 12: UNCTIRAL Arbitration Rules and the Model Law

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.