Course Description
This is an asynchronous/self-paced moderated online course that is delivered over a period of two weeks, and followed by two simulation exercises and a webinar (see agenda below for more details). Port experts will engage with participants online in the forum discussions for each of the course sections. The estimated time needed to complete the course activities is about 20 hours.
The online moderated course is structured in four sections, giving a precise and ordered view of the different aspects to be taken into account by a port or port organisation in a pandemic situation. It considers both a general vision and specific actions, the psychological and emotional part related to workers, the technological tools, and also considers actions related to ensuring the main activity of a port in the management of the flow of goods:
Course Details
Key Characteristics
| Dates | Next course will be organised in 2024 |
| Activities | 2 weeks asynchronous moderated online course, 2 self-paced simulations exercises (30-45 minutes), 1 webinar (90 minutes) |
| Number of hours | 20 hours |
| Language | English, French and Spanish |
| Course platform | https://learn.unctad.org/ |
| Registration | Next course will be organised in 2024 |
| Completion criteria | Average score from the 2 quizzes (on Sections 1-4) of at least 50% |
| Certificate | Yes – Electronic certificate |
| Price | Free of charge [1] |
[1] This course is financially supported by the United Nations Development Account and Irish Aid with the suport of Valencia Port, Spain and Marseille Fos Port, France.
Target Population
This special course is addressed to all actors involved in international trade, especially those involved with port operations. The course primary and secondary target population are representatives from the following organisations:
Primary target:
Secondary target:
Objective
The objective of UNCTAD TrainForTrade’s Building Port Resilience Against Pandemics (BPR) special course is to support the implementation of measures and to prepare for and alleviate contingencies related to a pandemic in a port, port terminals, and other seaport actors.
More specifically, at the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Course Structure
This is an asynchronous/self-paced moderated online course that is delivered over a period of two weeks, and followed by two simulation exercises and a webinar (see agenda for more details). Port experts will engage with participants online in the forum discussions for each of the course sections. The estimated time needed to complete the course activities is about 20 hours.
Online course
The online moderated course is structured in four sections, giving a precise and ordered view of the different aspects to be taken into account by a port or port organisation in a pandemic situation. It considers both a general vision and specific actions, the psychological and emotional part related to workers, the technological tools, and also considers actions related to ensuring the main activity of a port in the management of the flow of goods:
Webinar
At the end of the course delivery, participants will be invited to a 90-minute webinar (exact time to be confirmed). The objective of this activity is to discuss issues, present best practices, and brainstorm on policy recommendations.
Simulation exercises/Gamification
During the third week, participants will complete simulation exercises to consolidate the knowledge they acquired during the course. The main purpose of these exercises is for participants to test their decision-making skills in a role play situation as a decision maker in a pandemic context. The estimated time to complete the exercises is about 30-45 minutes. The results are only indicative and will not count in their final grade for the course.
Detailed Agenda 6-31 March 2023
Pictures shared by participants during the 2021 course
There are 809 participants registered (36% women) from 96 countries. Over 1200 posts in the fora. 261 policy recommendations shared, 1000+ votes
“The course was very useful and interesting. I learnt a lot about how to develop mitigation plan related to pandemic disruption in broader view.”
“The materials based on examples in several ports are fit to be implemented in most ports. We could share our views and have other participants opinions and suggestions easily.”
“The learning method is interesting also, especially the simulation exercises.”
“This course helped me to appreciate the idea of establishing a Crisis Response Team in our office.”
From the Golden Book
Pictures shared by participants during the 2022 course
There are 1000 participants registered (36% women) from 112 countries. Over 1200 posts in the fora. 261 policy recommendations shared, 1000+ votes
Webinar video 27 July 2021
Webinar video 27 July 2021
Building Port Resilience Presentation
Building Port Resilience
Presentation
e-DACUM : Design of the Course Curriculum
The purpose of the phase from the TrainForTrade methodology called Design a Curriculum (DACUM), is to brainstorm on the subject of the new course being designed, i.e. “Port resilience against pandemics”. The goals are to define the objectives and content of job aids to be developed, write training objectives, define target population, and describe what the trainees would be able to do as a result of the training. Furthermore, the DACUM proposes how to design tests for each objective and how to finally sequence the objectives and group them into modules to form a curriculum. The DACUM process for this special course was held virtually for the first time and during three 75-minute sessions via Microsoft Teams and with the use of Padlet platforms.
Building Port Resilience Against Pandemics
Background of the Project
In the current times of the global pandemic, various United Nations entities combined their efforts to propose a joint project that will implement standards, guidelines, metrics, tools and methodologies to immediately help governments, including Customs and other border agencies, port authorities, and the business community worldwide, to keep transport networks and borders operational to facilitate the flow of goods and services, while containing the further spread of the COVID-19 virus. One of its components focuses on port resilience against invisible threats and on keeping ports safe and operational during pandemics.
TrainForTrade’s project includes the exchange of best practices and new safety standards and the design and delivery of a training package to build essential skills for port community managers to help protect people and secure vital trade in ports (TFT Special Course “Building Port Resilience Against Pandemics”).
SDGs related to this project:
Support:
This project is financed by the United Nations Development Account Tranche 13 (COVID-19) and Irish Aid.
