On 31 July 2007, Daniel Adler spoke to members of A4ID about his role at the World Bank's Justice for the Poor Programme (J4P) in Cambodia.

J4P aims to enhance legal empowerment for some of the poorest people in Africa and Asia with the long term goals of bringing about incremental systemic change to justice sector institutions and systems of governance. Daniel gave an overview of the history of the World Bank, it's changing attitudes towards sustainable development and the current theoretical and practical challenges of promoting justice sector reform.

Interestingly the J4P programme supports a research based, bottom up approach to development which will often look to innovative but alternative methods to develop justice and governance reform.

Alexa Burgess, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP

THE NEW ECONOMICS FOUNDATION

The new economic foundation works on economic, social and environmental issues through a mixture of practical pilot projects and tools for change, in-depth research, campaigning, policy discussion, and raising awareness. One area of current focus is "real world economics" where nef aims to expose the problems with the international finance and economic systems and create appropriate remedies.

Lawyers at Herbert Smith are conducting a research project for nef on the interaction of international human rights conventions on the operation and decision making of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Lawyers at Allen & Overy LLP are involved in considering related issues for nef. One particular aspect being considered by the team at Herbert Smith is the existence of any rights to participate in the formulation, decision-making and execution of World Bank health programmes on the part of ultimate beneficiaries of such programmes or of those whose health may be indirectly affected.

David Mayhew, Partner, Herbert Smith LLP

CHRISTIAN AID AND THE WTO S&DT PROVISIONS FOR DOHA ROUND

The International Arbitration and Trade Practice of Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP (“WGM”), recently advised Christian Aid on whether its proposals on the expansion of the WTO special and differential treatment (“S&DT”) provisions were consistent with the WTO. WGM advised that the S&DT provisions were designed to be implemented in a flexible manner, recognizing the unique needs of developing countries.

Christian Aid’s proposals for the improvement of S&DT provisions are also consistent with WTO case law. WGM is one of the firms working with Christian Aid on matters affecting African, Caribbean and Pacific (“ACP”) countries during Economic Partnership Agreement negotiations with the EU.

Peter Kaldes, Partner, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

	A4ID CELEBRATES ITS FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY On Thursday 11 October 2007, A4ID will be celebrating 1 year since its launch. The keynote speech will be delivered by former Lord Chief Justice, Lord Bingham of Cornhill. During the evening, A4ID will be celebrating the achievements of the past year, with members and NGO partners discussing how lawyers have made a difference to the global fight against poverty. The celebrations are being hosted by Clifford Chance and will take place from 7pm at [pls insert address]. Speeches start 7:30pm. We look forward to seeing you there!

100 WORDS ON ... THE WTO

The purpose of the WTO (World Trade Organisation) is to help trade flow between countries by providing a forum to negotiate reductions in barriers to trade (eg. import quotas, domestic subsidies), and decide trade-related disputes.

Established: January 1995 as successor to the GATT system.

Membership: 151 countries & 28 countries in the accession process.

Voting System: 1 country, 1 vote. Adopted resolutions bind all members.

Current Negotiations: “The Doha Development Agenda” - commenced in November 2001 and covers 21 trade-related areas with a commitment to development. Negotiations are ongoing but a significant sticking point is the US, EU and Japan reaching agreement with countries like Brazil and India on the size and scope of reductions and access to markets.

Antony Loizou, Global Politics Masters student, Birbkeck