What is PICARD?

Where did it start?

Recognizing the importance of knowledge and education in the field of Customs, and that little was known about developments internationally, the WCO initiated a series of meetings with Universities and Academic Institutions during 2005.

The first informal meeting between the WCO Secretariat and Universities and Research Institutes was held at the World Customs Organization Headquarters in May 2005. Representatives from universities met to discuss possibilities of co-operation between the academic world and Customs in the field of capacity building.

The meeting announced the establishment of the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU) which is now accessible by the Web site http://www.incu.org/

The PICARD Programme was strongly supported by delegates of the HLWG which met in Brussels on 11 and 12 May 2006. WCO Members, representatives of partner universities and the private sector fully supported the initiatives and provided useful guidance for further development.

International Network of Customs Universities (INCU)

The International Network of Customs Universities (INCU) has been established to provide the World Customs Organization (WCO) and other organizations with a single point of contact with universities and research institutes that are active in the field of customs research, education and training. The INCU is also designed to provide a global resource for governments and the private sector, and an educational source for students wishing to further their knowledge in the field of customs management and administration, and international trade and logistics management.

The INCU website provides a framework for developing a comprehensive database of universities and other institutions involved in Customs research, education, development and capacity building activities, and associated information about relevant past, current and future activities.

The site also provides a mechanism for communicating current activities, new developments, coming events and other items of interest.

Professionalization

Today, the customs manager must be much more than an expert in customs. The demands of globalisation and modernization require a greater understanding of the political, economic and trading environment in which Customs is expected to operate. To meet the demands of modern times, it is necessary to develop and apply new management techniques and technologies. This new manager therefore requires a distinct set of knowledge, skills and behaviours which can only be delivered through a more professional approach to development and career management.

Working with the INCU, WCO developed first draft international standards of recognition for Customs related education. It is intended to provide WCO recognition to qualifying curricula and graduates. The standards were finalized at the 2nd PICARD conference.

1st PICARD Conference

Under the newly established Capacity Building Directorate, engagement with Members and institutions was further developed through a Conference convened in Brussels from 1 to 3 March 2006.

Link to the 1st conference report:

Conference on Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development

2nd PICARD Conference

The 2nd PICARD conference was held 27-28 March 2007. The meeting:

- developed further a set of international professional standards of recognition for Customs related education

- launched officially the first edition of the World Customs Journal

- reviewed and discussed resent innovative material on supply chain security

- provided an opportunity for institutions to join the INCU

Link to the 2nd conference report and other documents:

Report: The Conference on Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development

Presentations:
Professional standards, Why?
Supply chain security : Adding to an already complex operational and institutional environment
Does the container security initiative comply with WTO law ?
Voluntary supply chain security programme impacts : An empirical study with BASC member companies
Supply chain security management within seaport nodes : A knowledge based approach
Rethinking Cross Border Trade

3rd PICARD” conference

The 3rd PICARD (Partnership in Customs Academic Research and Development) conference will be organized 14-16 May 2008 in Shanghai, China.
The conference will focus on the following items:

- Presentations by the Universities on the pilot projects based on the PICARD professional standards developed by the WCO together with the International Network of Customs Universities (INCU)

- University research and education related to Customs

- Research needs identified by the Customs Administrations

The conference is intended for specialists in customs development, universities and research institutions with an interest in international trade, Customs HR practitioners, Customs and trade executives, consultants and representatives from donor and other international organizations.

The invitation and agenda will be published at the WCO events website in the beginning of March 2008.

World Customs Journal
The INCU produces the World Customs Journal (WCJ), which is its flagship publication. The Journal includes contributions from both academics and other interested parties. The World Customs Journal is designed to provide customs professionals, academics, industry researchers, and research students with an opportunity to share and draw upon research, academic commentary and practical insights to enhance its readers' knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the roles and responsibilities of Customs.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

Memorandum of Understanding is designed to promote co-operation in the development and provision of world-class customs training, education capacity building and research between the WCO and universities with Customs related activities.

Memoranda of Understanding have so far been signed between WCO and seven universities.

Riga Technical University, Latvia
University of Muenster, Germany
Centre for Customs & Excise Studies, University of Canberra, Australia
Zayed University, United Arab Emirates
The Faculty of Economics, University "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" (FE), Skopje,
The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
University of Le Havre, France
Leeds Metropolitan University, United Kingdom