Data Source: Asian WTO Research Network
Bulletin: 2009/6/19
Attachments:
Content:

On 23 May 2009, the AWRN held a business meeting at the National Taiwan University. As Mr. Iwamoto, the Secretary of the Network, was not available, Professor Mitsuo Matsushita chaired the meeting on his behalf. The meeting was attended by Prof. Rokaih Alavi, Dr. Deborah K. Elms, Prof. Minkang Gu, Dr. Fahmida Katun, Prof. Meredith Kolsky Lewis, Prof. Chin Leng Lim, Prof. Da-Nien Liu, Prof. Chang-fa Lo, Prof. Bryan Mercurio, Prof. Junji Nakagawa, Prof. Nohyoung Park, and Prof. Lawan Thanadsillapakul. This report provides a brief summary of the issues discussed at the meeting, based largely on the report of the AWRN business meeting held at Singapore Management University on 11 October 2008.

1. On the number of the regular members

?It was agreed that the three-per-jurisdiction would remain.

2. On the financial responsibility of the hosting institution

?It was agreed that the hosting institution should be responsible, as a minimum, for the local expenses for the members who participate in a meaningful way, including submitting papers and making oral presentations.

?On the other hand, some members expressed a concern that the hosting institution may not cover such cost fully due to the increasing financial burden as a result of the increase in the participating members. It was agreed that (1) the hosting institution shall make best effort to cover the local expenses, (2) it should avoid any situation where some members would be reimbursed and some would not, but (3) in an exceptional case, the hosting institution may decide as to the extent of coverage of local cost on a case-by-case basis. Of course, if the host institution has sufficient resources, it may offer to pay for the expenses for other members or for other expenses of the participating members. Such additional responsibility is not mandatory.

3. On the participants of the meeting

?It was agreed that three-plus-one-per country rule would remain. It was also agreed that the hosting institutions may invite participants who are not regular or associate members to attend the meeting, but that only the regular members are entitled to attend the business meetings of the AWRN.

4. On the treatment of absent members

?Members warned of becomi