WTO-inspired forums on women and minorities, and Asian economies

“Accessing Global Markets: Women & Minorities in Trade & Technology,” a public forum to be held Saturday, Oct. 16, at Ballard High School, is hosted by the UW Center for Women in Science and Engineering and sponsored by the Seattle Host Organization for the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference.

This is the first preconference education event sponsored by Seattle Host Organization. The goals of the conference are to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities for minority and female entrepreneurs, and to showcase those firms that have taken a leadership role in trade, either through using technology for marketing and communications or selling software products.

For additional information on the forum, visit the Web site at http://www.washington.edu/wto/women/ or contact Priti Mody at 543-4810 or primody@u.washington.edu. Registration for the conference is $5, with proceeds benefiting Ballard High School. To register, call 389-7215.

This quarter, a seminar series, “The WTO, Commerce, and Other Factor Flows Among the United States and Economies of Greater China,” will be held Thursdays from 4 to 5:50 p.m. in 210 Kane Hall.

The seminar will feature a comparative look at and dialogue on how the economies of China, Hong Kong and Taiwan interact with international trade organizations, as well as how they approach trade policy between themselves and the United States.

The seminar series has been designed to facilitate a broad understanding of the WTO meeting and the importance of this event for the United States, the Greater China Circle, and the world at the beginning of the new millennium. The series is intended to address the explicit impact that the WTO has on trade, with a balanced view of sustained economic growth, human rights, the environment and national security. Distinguished speakers from around the world will give presentations, followed by a response from a discussant. There also will be time for audience participation. Admission is complimentary. For a complete schedule, visit the Web site: http://depts.washington.edu/gttl/htdocs/calendar.html. ¶