Data Governance and Digital Trade Law: Between Tech-Innovation and International Relations
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Data Governance and Digital Trade Law: Between Tech-Innovation and International Relations
15–17 Aprile 2026
Il corso è disponibile in English
Presentazione del corso
In today’s data-driven economy, the systematic exploitation of data is at the core of the platform-based digital ecosystem and the Internet of Things. The legal frameworks that determine how firms and individuals collect, access, and use data, and how governments and other regulatory bodies regulate the same, form a dynamic and often contested field of data governance. This module explores the evolving intersection between data governance and international trade law, highlighting how legal, economic, and strategic considerations converge in the regulation of cross-border data flows.
Students will critically engage with many regulatory domains (data protection and control, online content regulation, cybersecurity and national security regulation, digital trade law, financial regulation, Intellectual Property and competition law) which jointly shape the contours of data governance across jurisdictions. The module will investigate how these overlapping regimes create both synergies and tensions for global digital trade, posing complex challenges for policymakers and private actors alike.
This activity is the result of a collaborative effort between ITCILO, the University of Turin, the George Washington University Competition and Innovation Lab.
Chi si iscrive a questo corso?
The course is designed for any of the following groups:
- Recent legal professionals, public officers, and civil society practitioners with a legal or economic background;
- Attorneys specializing in trade, data protection, and competition law in the digital sphere;
- Lawyers representing and advising platforms, platform users, and companies operating cross-border in the digital economy;
- Experts in international relations, public policy and institutional affairs;
- Civil society advocates engaged in data governance and international relations in public institutions or think tanks.
Learning objectives
This course combines theoretical grounding with experiential learning, culminating in a simulation exercise and practical case studies that equip students with hands-on skills in navigating the global data economy.
The training course aims to:
- Provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the economic value and geopolitical significance of data and digital technologies in global trade;
- Analyse the regulatory fragmentation caused by differing national approaches to data governance and its impact on digital transformation and innovation;
- Assess how international trade law—through WTO disciplines and bilateral digital trade agreements— addresses cross-border data issues and future prospects for developing international regulatory cooperation through trade instruments;
- Explore avenues for global cooperation and the role of sector-specific regulation, especially in the financial and digital payments sectors.
How to Apply and Conditions of Participation
Applications must be submitted online via https://oarf2.itcilo.org/STF/A9019230/en by 27 February 2026.
The participation fee, excluding international travel costs, is EUR 1,915, payable in advance by the participant or their sponsoring organisation. This fee covers tuition, access to the eCampus platform, use of training facilities and support services, course materials, accommodation and full board at the Centre’s Campus, and emergency medical insurance.
Additional Information
- Language: The course will be conducted in English.
- Certificate: Participants will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Participation upon successful completion.
- Contact: For further information, please contact tradelaw@itcilo.org .
