1. Contact Information World Customs Organization, WCO Mr. Libing Wei E-mail: libing.wei@wcoomd.org Tel: +32 2 209 9641 Fax: +32 2 209 9496 Mobile: +32 489 189 079 Cross-border Research Association, CBRA Ms. Kaisa Uronen E-mail: picard2011@cross-border.org Tel: +41 22 548 1956 Fax: +41 21 625 5336 The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, UNECE Ms. Dominique Leger E-mail: dominique.leger@unece.org Tel: + 41 22 917 2401 Fax: + 41 22 917 0039 Participant Profile – Who should attend? Participation is open to all interested parties. Participants expected to attend include: Senior Customs executives responsible for Customs reform, modernization and policy issues, human resource development, and integrity; Universities and research institutions with an interest in trade or Customs-related research and education; Trade executives and service providers; Representatives of international organizations. Conference Registration Registration is open until 31 August 2011. Early registration is encouraged (discounts apply). For more information about the registration procedure and fees, please visit www.etouches.com/picard2011www.etouches.com/picard2011 Conference Dates and Times: The conference runs from 14:30 on Wednesday 14 September until 12:30 Friday 16 September, 2011. Please arrive at UN security gate before 13:00 on 14 September for admission. Accommodation For room reservations at the partner hotels, please visit: www.etouches.com/picard2011 www.etouches.com/picard2011 “Promote Research-based Knowledge to Support Customs Decision-making” 14 – 16 September 2011 Geneva, Switzerland www.etouches.com/picard2011 CONFERENCE 2011

2. About PICARD The WCO PICARD (Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development) Programme was launched in 2006 to provide a framework for cooperation between Customs and the academic world. Through PICARD, academic institutions have created the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU). Working together, the WCO and INCU have progressed a range of initiatives in the areas of academic research, professional standards and educational programmes. The annual PICARD Conference has been in place for five years now, with previous events being held in Brussels, Shanghai, Costa Rica and Abu Dhabi. This year’s PICARD Conference will build on the success of the previous Conferences and will provide participants with an opportunity to interact with government, academic and trade counterparts from around the world. Key Conference Players 2011  World Customs Organization (WCO ) is the global forum of the Customs community. Its work includes the development of global standards for the simplification and harmonization of Customs procedures and supply chain security as well as capacity building. www.wcoomd.orgwww.wcoomd.org  Cross-border Research Association (CBRA), is an independent research entity focusing on advanced research on supply chain security, e-Customs, Customs risk management and public-private interfaces on a global scale. www.cross-border.org  United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE ) aims at promoting pan-European economic integration by means of setting out norms, standards and multilateral agreements, including 15 conventions in the area of border crossing facilitation and Customs. http://live.unece.org/trans/bcf/welcome.htmll http://live.unece.org/trans/bcf/welcome.htmll  State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO ) is the Swiss federal government's centre of expertise for all issues relating to economic policy. Its aim is to ensure sustainable economic growth through necessary regulatory and economic policy conditions. More information: www.seco.admin.chwww.seco.admin.ch  Cotecna is one of the world’s leading testing, inspection and certification companies. Cotecna combines state-of-the-art technology and knowledge transfer with innovative, tailor-made services to improve and secure trade environments around the world. www.cotecna.comwww.cotecna.com  Federal Customs Administration, Switzerland, is responsible for managing the smooth cross-border movement of commercial goods and protecting the public from the consequences of cross-border crime. www.ezv.admin.chwww.ezv.admin.ch  International Network of Customs Universities, (INCU ) was established to provide the WCO and other organizations with a point of contact with universities and research institutes active in the field of Customs research, education and training. www.incu.org www.incu.org Key Conference Themes 2011 Coordinated Border Management Ways and means of enhancing and promoting coordination between different regulatory authorities responsible for global trade within a national Customs territory, as well as cooperation between Customs administrations internationally (including risk management, trade facilitation, e-Customs/e-border management and so forth). Measurement of Customs Performance Methodologies and approaches to holistically measuring and benchmarking the performance of Customs administrations, including also the integration between regulatory agencies and other elements of supply chain performance. Economic Security and Poverty Reduction The contribution of Customs to economic development and poverty reduction, including the contribution of Customs revenue to national economies, in response to declining revenue collection caused by the global financial crisis and a general reduction in duty rates, including the use of effective tools and other capacity building solutions. Integrity Integrity is a prerequisite for effective Customs management, which is actively promoted by the WCO and its Members in partnership with the private sector and other interested stakeholders.