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Reforming WTO-civil society engagement

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 03:19 authored by Erin Hannah, James Scott, Rorden Wilkinson
Civil society organizations are often seen as playing a crucial role in helping to mitigate the exclusion of weaker states, giving voice to marginalized communities, and raising environmental and developmental concerns within the trade system. The politicization and demystification of the global trade agenda by civil society also opens up space for a more diverse set of actors to influence trade negotiations. This article examines the evolution of the WTO secretariat's engagement with civil society within this context and argues that the dominant mode of engagement, as manifest in WTO Public Forums and civil society participation in ministerial conferences, is no longer fit for purpose. Rather it reflects an outmoded strategy that once served to underscore the existence and value of the WTO as an international organization and works to neutralize political contestation and publicly promote the benefits of free trade. It is now in need of reform.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

World Trade Review

ISSN

1474-7456

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

Issue

3

Volume

16

Page range

427-448

Department affiliated with

  • International Relations Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2016-10-06

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2016-10-06

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2016-10-05

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