A new e-Learning module on Sustainability in the Trade Promotion Academy

As part of its strategy, the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) has strengthened its efforts to contribute to the sustainable and inclusive economic growth of companies in its partner countries. Given the social and environmental impact of international trade, SIPPO takes its responsibility to address global challenges seriously. It aims to ensure that its programme creates long-term added value for its employees, experts, clients and beneficiaries, society and the environment. SIPPO demonstrates its commitment to sustainability and contributes to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Guiding Principles for Sustainable Trade to promote a common understanding
In 2021 and 2022, SIPPO developed Guiding Principles for Sustainable Trade (GPST) for the various sectors, with the aim of promoting a common understanding among staff, BSOs and related companies and consultants. These principles are based on SIPPO's objectives, relevant international policy frameworks and sector-specific market requirements.

A new e-learning module on Sustainability in SIPPO’s Trade Promotion Academy
"Guiding principles” are an important foundation, they must be disseminated and anchored through various training formats. SIPPO has therefore developed an e-learning course on sustainability. Three new sub-modules will be integrated into SIPPO's successful Trade Promotion Academy (TPA). They will strengthen the common understanding and knowledge of the essential elements of SIPPO's approach to sustainability among SIPPO's partners. The module is part of the e-learning series that SIPPO has been developing in close cooperation with its partner ITC since 2020.

What you can learn
On completion of the three sub-modules, participants will be able to...

1. identify the importance and relevance of sustainability for BSOs/SMEs in the context of export promotion;
2. identify the dimensions of sustainability and how sustainability is defined in the SIPPO programme; and
3. illustrate how sustainability is applied within the SIPPO programme.

These are the three sub-modules in the Sustainability course

• Sustainability: What it is and why it matters to SMEs and BSOs
• The Risks for SMEs and BSOs of ignoring sustainability
  • Sustainability risks for SMEs and BSOs
• What are the benefits of sustainability for SMEs and BSOs? How are they related to export promotion?
  • The business case for sustainability
  • The benefit of sustainability for BSOs

 Sub-Module 2: The SIPPO approach to sustainability

• How sustainability is defined in the SIPPO Programme
  • How SIPPO came to define its approach to sustainability
  • The frameworks, principles and guidelines which guide SIPPO’s approach to sustainability: UN Global Compact Principles, ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, The sustainable development goals, The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
• SIPPO’s Guiding Principles for Sustainable Trade (GPST)
  • What are SIPPO’s Guiding Principles for Sustainable Trade
  • SIPPO’s Guiding Principles for Sustainable Trade are made up of 7 principles
• A step-wise approach for improved sector sustainability
  • Improving sector sustainability (Step 1, Step 2, Step 3)
• How the GPST are integrated into SIPPO’s intervention areas
  • The integration of sustainability into SIPPO’s intervention areas

Sub-Module 3: Practical examples from SIPPO’s target sectors
Natural Ingredients

• SIPPO Serbia: Integrating Aspects of Sustainability into Trade Fair Activities at Biofach 2023
  • Description of the intervention’s objectives according to SIPPO’s objectives
  • Brief description of the intervention
  • Brief description of the intervention’s results and (possible) follow up
  • Future outlook
  • Guiding Principles covered by the intervention

Processed Food

• SIPPO South Africa: BSO Sustainability Baseline Survey
• Dito chapters Natural Ingredients

Sustainable Tourism

• SIPPO Colombia: Capacity Development and Training Series on Sustainable Tourism
• Dito chapters Natural Ingredients

Register for free at SIPPO’s Trade Promotion Academy here: https://www.tradepromotionacademy.org/