A knowledge network on trade and sustainable development

Research and policy institutions from several countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America have joint their efforts to work under the Trade Knowledge Network (TKN) to explore the connection between trade and sustainable development.

The Trade Knowledge Network is managed collaboratively by the International Institute for Sustainable Development ( Canada) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development ( Switzerland). The TKN is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation; the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the International Development Research Centre (IDRC); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

 The TKN focuses on ways to foster long-term capacity to address the complex issues of trade and sustainable development in partner-country research institutions, governments and the wider policy community. The main objectives of the Network are to:

• produce high-quality, objective, in-country and thematic research to increase awareness, knowledge and understanding of the sustainable development dimensions of trade;
• utilize policy workshops and other fora to inform and promote dialogue among policy-makers and stakeholders in TKN countries as a means to incorporate sustainable development into trade policy, negotiation and application at the country and international level; and
• facilitate through the Trade Knowledge Network, its partners and among broader global audiences, the exchange of information, best policy and practice on trade and sustainable development.

The TKN publishes a website with information on its members as well as a “Publications centre” with all the research outputs of the partners for free downloads. Visit the TKN website at http://www.tradeknowledgenetwork.net/