2011 Law and Development Institute Conference on Saturday, Dec. 10, at Seattle University

By Diane Lourdes Dick.  The Law and Development Institute (“LDI”) and Seattle University School of Law will host the 2011 Law and Development Institute Conference on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the LeRoux Room at the Seattle University Student Center.

The conference was organized by LDI Director and Professorial Research Fellow Yong-Shik Lee, Ph.D, an expert in international trade and a visiting professor at Seattle University School of Law. The program will bring 17 leading law and economic development experts from seven countries and the U.S. State Department to discuss development finance.

In particular, the conference will focus on “microtrade,” which is defined to include international trade of small quantities of goods produced locally and on a small scale. As Professor Lee explains in his scholarly article, “Theoretical Basis and Regulatory Framework for Microtrade: Combining Volunteerism with International Trade towards Poverty Elimination,” microtrade may offer an alternative means of providing persons in least-developed countries with opportunities for economic advancement. Unlike large-scale export programs that are initiated at the macro-level, microtrade does not necessarily depend upon preexisting infrastructure. That said, there are certain logistical obstacles that must be addressed on a case-by-case basis. As development practitioners and academics confront these obstacles and brainstorm potential solutions, the resulting innovations may pave the way not only for successful microtrade, but also for macro-level improvements. The conference will provide a unique opportunity to explore these and related cutting edge questions in development finance.

A conference registration fee of $30 includes access to the full day conference, refreshments, and lunch. While the program is free for faculty and students of any educational institution, registration is required for all attendees. Please visit the registration page for more information.