International
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The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization whose rules govern trade between nations. It was established on January 1, 1995, succeeding the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Professor Robert Howse of New York University examines the origins of the WTO, particularly its emergence from the prevailing belief in the benefits of economic neoliberalism as the optimal approach for global growth and development.
In May 2023, a diverse group of over forty World Trade Organization (WTO) experts gathered at the University of Ottawa to address the challenges plaguing the WTO dispute settlement system. This symposium aimed to explore innovative solutions to revitalize the system and support reform efforts. Attended by a mix of academics, practitioners and former WTO officials, the event fostered discussions on reforming the adjudicatory system, enhancing the WTO’s deliberative functions, and incorporating alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
International justice is at a critical juncture. There is a poignant need today for dialogue that transcends time and speaks to the universality of human rights. The Wallenberg Centre, in collaboration with the University of Ottawa presented the 2023 Elie Wiesel Distinguished Lectureship in Human Rights with Mr. Karim Khan, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, as guest lecturer. Mr. Khan’s insights shed light on the challenges our world faces and the urgency for action against ongoing atrocities and human rights violations.
Professor Wolfgang Alschner’s book provides a brilliant study on the impact of investment arbitration on international investment law. Alschner’s insightful analysis highlights the pressing need for reforms that would promote a more equitable and transparent approach to investment arbitration in international trade.
