McGill Model WTO

We recognize that participants may not be intricately famililar with the the World Trade Organization's workings. The coordinators have compiled a list of resources to help you familiarize yourself with the WTO. Consult these resources to learn more about the organization and use them as a starting point for further research as you prepare yourself for the conference.

Delegates will also receive a background paper approximately three weeks before the conference. They are expected to study this paper and prepare accordingly, using the resources it provides, which relate specifically to the committee to which they are assigned.

Books & Official Guides

• Understanding the WTO
  The official introductory guide published by the WTO, explaining its purpose, structure, and activities in plain language.

• International Trade Law E-Casebook

The Geneva Trade Platform's digital online casebook for international trade law. It is a work in progress, with edits, updates and expansions being made on a continual basis and offers a balance between high-level and specific explanations of the workings of WTO.

• The World Trade Organization: A Beginner's Guide

An examination of the structure and goals of the WTO and its responses to the pressures of globalization. Consult your educational institution's library for access to this resource.

Websites

• Britannica – World Trade Organization
  Encyclopedia entry that offers an approachable summary of the WTO, including its objectives, how it operates, and historical development.

• WTO "Understanding the WTO"
  Comprehensive, beginner-focused hub explaining what the WTO is, basic principles, history, and its core functions in world trade.

Videos

• WTO Video Library: "WTO Explained" Section
  A series of short, beginner-friendly videos that describe the WTO’s role, how it works, and why it matters.

Library Guides & Overviews

• International Trade and Investment Law Guide Queen's University
  Recommended for basic reference to official foundation documents, without needing prior expertise.