Cardno Acil and ITS Global (ITS), with the support of Indochina Research Limited (IRL), will design and deliver four high quality Training Rounds.

The main purpose of the Training Rounds is to develop understanding of the role of analysis in trade policy development and the capacity to incorporate analysis into the policy development cycle. This will be achieved by improving the skills and ability of government officials and researchers involved in advising on trade policy negotiations and integration to understand trade policy analysis.

The TARP Training Round schedule from 2004 to 2008 is as follows:

• Training Round One – January 2006– August 2006
• Training Round Two – October 2006– April 2007
• Training Round Three – May 2007– November 2007
• Training Round Four – January 2008– August 2008

Cardno Acil and ITS Global recognise the importance of a practical approach to capacity building.

Each Training Round comprises a mix of regional and national workshops and agency based research. The combination of regional and in-country workshops recognises the different needs and expectations within Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam, allowing for both sharing of lessons and tailoring of training activities.

A different theme will be selected for each Training Round relevant to country and regional analytical needs. The themes will be determined by Partner Agencies and provide guidance in selection of appropriate participants, trainers and mentors.

To ensure the practical application and relevance of the Training Round curriculum research case studies will be undertaken by national research teams during each Training Round. The research case study topics will be identified by Senior Managers in Partner Agencies. The TARP trainers, mentors and management team will support members of the national research teams to undertake research in the chosen field.

TARP will foster links between researchers and policy makers. The policy makers and researchers will be brought together mid-way through (Outputs 1.3/2.1) and at the end of each Training Round (Outputs 1.4/1.5) to develop and foster new networks.

Diagram 2