In 2007, the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF) and UNITAR agreed to launch a joint e-Learning initiative in the area of economic development and trade in order to better meet the urgent capacity development needs of French-speaking developing countries. The first joint online course was held in April 2007 and generated a thundering response with over 1,000 nominations submitted for 125 seats in the course. Since then, new courses have been developed and conducted on a regular basis to train around 200 senior and middle level officials from French-speaking developing countries per year.

First and foremost, this initiative provides a framework to identify and debate key issues on the international trade agenda of developing countries with representatives of the various stakeholder groups, and to strengthen the professional capacities of public and private sector officials to address the challenges of the ongoing globalization process. Secondly, with the numerous opportunities for interaction including online discussions, collaborative exercises or simulation exercises provided by the courses, it also promotes cooperation and networking between French-speaking countries and regions. As of today, OIF and UNITAR developed and conducted the following instructor-led online courses: 
 
• Services financiers et développement
• Techniques de négociation
• Accords de partenariat économique entre les pays ACP et l’Union européenne
• L’intégration économique régionale et le commerce

It is worth mentioning that all courses are complementing the training programmes offered by other institutions such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) which is participating in the development and mentoring of the upcoming online course on l’intégration économique régionale et le commerce.
 
Click here to view the video testimonial of another participant (Mr Eric Joël Edouard Bekale-Etoughet, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Gabon, Geneva, Switzerland). 

Since the launch of this initiative in 2007, over 450 public and private sector officials from 27 French-speaking developing countries have been trained, with 22% of female officials. The average course completion rate stands at 89%. Below are some comments received from participants: «This training provided me with insights and tools which proved to be most valuable both for my regular work and my duties with the National Committee on EPA at this crucial time of ongoing negotiations of the EPA with European Union”. [M. TIDZANI MALEM (Gabon), Director General, Intellectual Property Center of Gabon (CEPIG)].

«The online course on EPAs between the EU and French-speaking African countries allowed me to get a better grasp of the issues and opportunities related to EPAs our countries are facing. The course provided me with key knowledge which will serve me well as a diplomat involved in negotiations and in defending the economic interests of our African countries». [Mr Stéphane NOAH (Cameroon), Ministry of Foreign Relations, Republic of Cameroon].

In the future, cooperation between OIF and UNITAR will place even greater emphasis on utilizing the skills and knowledge gained by participants. Since 2009, course content is also being made available to selected training institutions in the South, and it is envisaged to create an Internet-based virtual network of francophone experts and practitioners in the area of economic development and trade.

Please visit the following websites for additional information (in French): 
OIF-UNITAR e-Learning courses: http://www2.unitar.org/pft/oif/Index.htm

Espace Economique Francophone (OIF) : http://www.espace-economique.francophonie.org/