Trade Knowledge Network - Objectives

Objectives

TKN is composed of research and policy institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America that are exploring the connection between trade and sustainable development and working to ensure that increased international trade can contribute to sustainable development in their countries and regions. The goal of the Trade Knowledge Network is to foster long-term capacity to address the complex issues of trade and sustainable development in partner-country research institutions, governments and the wider policy community, including business, academia, and environment and development NGOs.

The Trade Knowledge Network has four inter-related objectives to achieve this goal:

• To produce objective, high quality, country- and region-specific policy and thematic research on trade policy and practice issues that present challenges or opportunities for achieving sustainable development in developing countries;
• To inform and engage trade policy-makers and promote dialogue among stakeholders to incorporate sustainable development into trade negotiations, policy promulgation and trade practice;
• To build the capacity of TKN Partner organizations to integrate sustainable development priorities into trade policy and practice through demand-driven training; South-South and North-South joint and cooperative research and policy engagement activities; and exchange and placement of young researchers and interns at TKN Partner organizations; and
• To facilitate through the Trade Knowledge Network, its partners and among broader audiences globally, exchange of information, best policy and practice on trade and sustainable development.