28 Jan 2014
WTI signs cooperation agreement with CDE
WTI and CDE: charting new waters together
The World Trade Institute has entered into partnership with the Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) - like WTI an interdisciplinary research centre of the University of Bern.
The Cooperation Agreement signed at the end of 2013 signals a new approach to interdisciplinary research and teaching, especially in the field of sustainable development.
WTI and CDE cover many of the same areas of expertise, particularly global governance and sustainability, including trade regulation, investment, innovation promotion, land use, climate protection and human rights.
The WTI’s Dr Elisabeth Bürgi Bonanomi, also a senior research scientist at CDE, is responsible for establishing interdisciplinary research cooperation between the two University centres.
“This cooperation opens new windows for inter-disciplinary research and teaching across new disciplines, which makes much sense since linking empirical knowledge to the policy research and thus contributing to innovative, informed policy making,” she commented.
The decision to aim for closer cooperation arises from a perceived need to create institutional synergies in the areas of research, teaching and communication.
In the areas of research and advice the two institutes will make joint appointments, organise joint lectures and conferences, share information on existing contracts and allow access to each other’s research networks. In the longer term the aim is to win contracts for European research projects.
The cooperation will be reflected in joint activities, events and output and will be re-assessed every two years.