RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/BFA/W/91
17 March 2003
(03-1555)
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration
PROPOSED DONATION PURSUANT TO THE GUIDELINES APPROVED BY THE
GENERAL COUNCIL ON 15 DECEMBER 2000 (WT/L/386)
Notification to the Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration
1. Donor :  The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), a German-based non-profit foundation funded
mainly through donations from central and regional German governments.
2. Activities, Aims and Motivations of Donor :  According to information provided by the FES,
its activities in development cooperation are seen as a contribution to: the improvement of political
and social framework conditions; the democratization of social structures; the strengthening of freetrade unions; the improvement of communication and media structures; regional and international
media cooperation; regional cooperation between states and different interest groups; and,
overcoming the North-South divide.
3. Purpose of the Donation :  To facilitate the participation of developing country journalists in
a series of three, 2 ½ day seminars (in English, French and Spanish) designed to familiarize these
journalists with current WTO issues and build their capacity to write on WTO topics, which is in line
with the WTO general technical assistance approach.  It is recalled that the Committee on Budget,
Finance and Administration had agreed to the Director-General’s acceptance of the FES sponsoring of
three similar courses (in English, French and Spanish) in 2001-2002.
4. Nature and Estimated Value of Donation :  The donation is mainly an "in-kind" donation of
airline tickets directly from FES to selected jour nalists.  FES would also pay hotel expenses and
provide participants with a subsistence allowance.  No funds would pass through WTO.  The
estimated value of the donation to cover the three separate courses is approximately CHF 150,000.
5. Previous WTO Experience with Donor :  The FES provided substantial financial assistance
to facilitate developing country journalists' coverage of the Singapore (96), Geneva (98), Seattle (99)
and Doha (01) Ministerial Conferences, as well as the 1997 High Level Meeting on LDCs. (see
paragraph 3 above).  It is foreseen that the FES will again provide financial assistance for developing
country journalists at the 5
th Ministerial Conference in Cancun.
6. WTO Secretariat Review of Proposal:   This proposal was reviewed on  14 March 2003 by a
WTO Secretariat Committee comprised of the DDG responsible for financial issues and
representatives from the Legal Affairs Division, the Administration and General Services Division,
the Development Division, the External Relations Division and the Information and Media Relations
Division.  The Secretariat Committee approved this proposal for submission to the Committee onBudget.  Finance and Administration for consideration by the Committee.
7. Additional Background Information :  Additional background information is provided in
the attachment to this notification.WT/BFA/W/91
Page 2
ATTACHMENT
Additional Background Information on the Proposed Donation by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
Background materials in this document are concerned with a proposal by the Friedrich Ebert
Stiftung (Geneva and Bonn offices) to financially assist the WTO with training courses for journalists.
The materials in this document consist of the following:(a) A description of the FES's origins, main aims, activities and composition taken from the
FES website at: http://www.fes.de
(b) A copy of the WTO's proposal to undertake training courses in Geneva for journalists
from industrialized and developing countries, including the least-developed countries,
in English, French and Spanish
(c) A draft outline of subject areas to be covered in a typical two and a half day training
programme,  and
(d) An estimate of the financial value of the FES's contribution and division of work
between the WTO and the FES.WT/BFA/W/91
Page 3
A. DESCRIPTION OF FES' S ORIGINS , AIMS AND COMPOSITION
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Committed to Social Democracy...
History
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung or FES (Stiftung is the German word for foundation) was
founded in 1925 as a political legacy of Germany's first democratically elected president, Friedrich
Ebert, who died in that year.
Ebert, a Social Democrat of humble origins, ha d risen to hold the highest office in his country
despite considerable opposition from his political adversaries.  He assumed the burden of the
presidency in a country which was crisis-ridden following its defeat in World War I.  His own
personal experience led him to propose the establishment of a foundation with a threefold aim:
• furthering a democratic, pluralistic political culture by means of political education for
all classes of society,
• facilitating access to higher education for gifted young people by providing
scholarships,
• contributing to international understanding and co-operation wherever possible to avert
a fresh outbreak of war and conflict.
The Foundation, which was immedi ately banned by the Nazis in 1933 and not re-established
until 1947 after World War II, continues today to pursue those aims and has developed extensive
programmes in each of the above areas.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung today is a non-profit making, political public-interest institution
committed to the principles and basic values of social democracy in its educational and policy-
orientated work.
Facts and Figures
• Staff :  A total of 581 in the head office in Bonn, the six educational centres, the twelve
regional offices and abroad.
• Budget :  Approx. 204 million DM (in 2000); mainly central and regional government
funding.
• Activities :  In Germany alone around 150,000 people took part in 2000 in more than
3,000 adult education courses, discussion forums and conferences.
• Branches : Offices in 90 countries (2000).  Activities in more than 100 countries.
• Scholarships :  1,700 scholarships were awarded in 2000, 340 of those to nationals of
other countries.  Over 430 first-time scholarship holders in the same year.
• Library:   Largest specialized library on the German and international labour
movement with more than 600.000 volumes.
• Archives :  Largest collection of documents on the history of the German labour
movement.WT/BFA/W/91
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International Work
DEVELOPMENTAL CO-OPERATION
In the Foundation's offices in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania approx. 90 German
staff and about 500 foreign nationals are involved in projects in the fields of economic and social
development, socio-political education and info rmation, the media and communication and providing
advisory services.  Approximately half of the Foundation's annual budget is devoted to this co-
operation with our partners in the trade unions, politics, the business and academic communities, the
media and the arts.
The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung sees its activities in the developing countries as a contribution
to:
• the improvement of political and social framework conditions,
• the democratization of social structures,
• the strengthening of free trade unions,
• the improvement of communication and media structures,
• regional and international media co-operation,
• regional co-operation between states and different interest groups,
• overcoming the North-South conflict.
INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES
The Foundation has offices in 38 of the OECD countries, in Central and Eastern Europe, the
former Soviet Union and the Middle East.  Together with its partners in the trade unions, education
and research, public administration, local government and various social groups and organisations the
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung fosters dialogue amongst all democratic forces with the aim of bringing
about a balance of interests, solving conflicts and developing policy options.  The activities and
publications of the "Eurokolleg" are centred on the study of the opportunities and problems within the
European Union.
In the reform states of Eastern Europe the Frie drich-Ebert-Stiftung is involved in supporting
the transition to a market economy and establishing a civil society, particularly in the fields of labour
market, social, environmental and media policy.
National Work
POLITICAL EDUCATION
The aim of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung's work in the field of political education is to enable
the people of the Federal Republic of Germany and its organisations to determine the future of their
own society and be actively involved in the political process.
The six educational centres and the 12 regional offices are making a major contribution to the
social integration of East and West Germany.  The educational work of the Foundation is supported
by the German Trades Union Congress (DGB) and the German Salaried Employees'Union (DAG).
The programmes are carried out in co-operation with universities, women's associations, the German
Sport Federation, agricultural associations, the Armed Forces, the police, church organisations,
teachers associations, parents associations, youth and senior citizens groups, works councils in theWT/BFA/W/91
Page 5
public and private sectors, Amnesty International, members of local government, development policy
groups, chambers of trade and commerce and press associations.
RESEARCH
In its practice-orientated research work the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung attaches particular
importance to analyzing the economic, social and political problems in connection with the German
unification process.  In this respect the Foundation sees its role as providing a discussion forum for
the future development of social democracy.
Through its research projects, symposia, debates and a wide variety of publications in the fields of
economic policy, labour and social research, technology and society, social and contemporary historyas well as foreign policy research, the Foundation annually attracts thousands of experts from
economic and political life, public administration, the trade unions, the academic world and the
media.
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
In its scholarship programme the Foundation supports students and young post-graduates with
outstanding academic qualifications from Germany and abroad for whom an academic education is
not only a first step to a successful career but an expression of their commitment to society,
democracy and the country.
For further information:
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
Press and Information Section
Godesberger Allee 149
53170 Bonn
Telephone (0228) 883-0 or 883-666
Telefax (0228) 883-396WT/BFA/W/91
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B. PROPOSAL FOR WTO T RAINING COURSES FOR JOURNALISTS
Objective: Invite journalists and editors with little knowledge about trade issues to Geneva
to learn about the WTO and national trade policy so that they can be better
equipped to write well-informed articles about issues facing the multilateraltrading system
The WTO's Information and Media Relations Division plans to organize a series of
training courses for journalists interested in learning more about the WTO's
Agreements and current and future negotiations.  The idea is to hold three seminars a
year, one in English, one in French and a third in Spanish and to mix correspondents
from industrialized with those from developing and least-developed countries.  Thistype of interaction should provide participants with a variety of global perspectives.
Structure of the courses:
The courses are designed for small groups totalling no more than 20 persons.  Half
the participants would come from developing and least-developed countries, the other
half from industrialized countries.
The courses would last two and half days and address the following topics:
- Fundamental principles of the multilateral trading system
- Economic rationale for trade- WTO Agreements with strong emphasis on GATS, Agriculture, TRIPS, Regionalism,
WTO Rules (anti-dumping, subsidies and safeguards), Development, Trade and
Environment, Market Access and Dispute Settlement
- During their stay in Geneva, journalists will also have time to interview the WTO's DG
or DDGs, to meet with their respective government representatives and, if interested,other Geneva-based IGOs.
Funding: Outside funding would have to be secured to cover travel and hotel costs for
journalists from developing and least-developed countries.  Costs associated withtravel to and from Geneva and for a three night's stay amount to about CHF 5,000 per
participant.
Sponsors are therefore requested to budget up to a maximum CHF 50,000 per course.WT/BFA/W/91
Page 7
Costs for journalists from industrialized countries would be covered by their
respective news organizations.  Ideally, funding for developing country journalists
would come from one source, but could also involve a partnership arrangement
whereby several sources provide funding for one or more courses each year.
Selection of journalists:
The editors of key English, French and Spanish newspapers in industrialised
countries would be invited to nominate staff members to participate in the courses.
Those from developing and least-developed countries would be selected by
organizations with excellent media contacts in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
Accommodations:
A central idea behind the training courses is for the participants to interact as much as
possible.  Therefore, it is key that they all stay in the same hotel.  The WTO has
special arrangements with hotels located near its premises.  These rates are affordable
and should not stand in the way of obtaining funding from potential donors.
C. ESTIMATED VALUE OF THE FES C ONTRIBUTION AND DIVISION OF WORK
Expenses to attend the training sessions for journalists coming from developing and least-
developed countries are estimated at CHF 5,000.-- per person.  This amount includes travel costs ,
hotel costs for four nights and a per diem (the FES will use their own per diem scale and not the
WTO's).
The overall cost for 10 participants in each of the training sessions is therefore estimated to be
worth CHF 50,000.
The value of the three courses and the FES contribution would therefore amount to
CHF 150,000 in 2003   This estimate does not include FES staff time spent on identifying journalists
suitable for the three training sessions and coordinating their travel arrangements, worth an estimatedCHF 10,000.-
As concerns the nature of the WTO's and FES's participation in the training courses,
activities would be divided as follows:
The FES would help select journalists in developing and least-developed countries and
arrange and pay for their travel costs to and from Geneva.  It would also cover their hotel and per
diem expenses.  The FES would settle all payments directly so there would not be any money
transferred to the WTO as such.
The WTO, on the other hand, would identify news organizations and journalists working in
industrialized countries (and some wealthier developing  countries) and invite them to come to Geneva
at their own expense.  The WTO would also provide staff to give short lectures on their area of
expertise.
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