The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) is inviting individuals to submit research papers to be presented at the World Customs Organization (WCO) Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development (PICARD) Conference that the agency is hosting in Manila on September 27-29, 2016.
The annual PICARD Conference has influenced work in Customs since 2006, providing a platform for dialogue between Customs administrations, universities, and research institutes on topics relevant to Customs and international trade.
In an advisory on its website, BOC said “papers should focus on Customs or, more globally, the regulation, dynamics, and practices of international trade.”
Although not required, writers may also submit research documents on Digital Customs; security; taxation and other revenue matters; and illicit trade.
Digital Customs, which is the WCO’s annual theme for 2016, refers to any automated or electronic activity that contributes to the effectiveness, efficiency, and coordination of customs activities, such as automated customs clearance systems, the single window concept, the use of “Big Data,” electronic exchange of information, websites that communicate information and promote transparency, and the use of smartphones.
The topic of security, on the other hand, refers to the contribution of customs to secure territories at the border and foil threats to trade flows in different frameworks and environments—from borderlands where trade is highly facilitated, to conflict and post-conflict zones where customs and civilian enforcement agencies seek to restore the presence of the state.
Taxation and other revenue matters include the relationship between transfer pricing and Customs valuation, the use of taxation to reduce negative externalities and internalities, informal trade practices, classification and valuation, excise taxes, and value-added tax.
The illicit trade topic covers international trade in both prohibited and legal goods that is non-compliant with cross-border regulations.
BOC noted that the PICARD conference, in particular, encourages the attendance and paper submissions of customs professionals as well as researchers from academic disciplines like anthropology, criminology, economics, political science, geography, history, international relations and international trade, and law.
“The WCO Research Unit is particularly interested in an interdisciplinary approach with different perspectives, approaches, and methodologies regarding contemporary systems of regulation and control at borders, and papers co-authored by customs officials and academics. The WCO Research Unit has taken this approach at other research conferences with great success,” BOC added.
“Papers do not have to be new; they can be working papers or papers already published,” the agency noted.
Alternatively or additionally, “you are invited to propose a panel consisting of two or three speakers on a cohesive subject that would include the presentation of research already conducted or nearing completion by 15 June 2016.”
The WCO would like to encourage customs officials and academics to engage in comparative and policy- relevant research on customs issues, with panel proposals being an ideal format for such discussions to take place.
Papers and panel proposals must be submitted by email to picard2016@wcoomd.org no later than June 15, 2016. Authors will be notified by July 16 on whether their paper has been selected for presentation at the conference or not.
“If necessary, the WCO will seek to identify funding for reasonable travel and hotel expenses for a small number of presenters selected under this Call for Papers that lack institutional backing,” BOC said.
Information about the conference, including venue, accommodation, visa requirements, and registration, will be made available soon at http://www.wcoomd.org/en/events.aspx.
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