Together for Justice

Demonstrators gather in Brighton

Picture: Christian Aid

Rt Rev John Sentamu

The Church of England has become a member of the Trade Justice Movement. This follows a vote at the General Synod meeting in York last summer and comes ahead of what many believe will be a defining year in relations between the richest and poorest countries of the globe.

“With the British Government chairing the G8 summit and the EU presidency in 2005, there’s a sense that we are at a tipping point where it might yet become possible to develop a trading system that allows developing countries to remove trade barriers at a pace and in a way that lies within their own development plans,” said the Rt Rev Tom Butler, Bishop of Southwark and vice-chair, public affairs, of the Mission and Public Affairs Council.

In September the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Rev John Sentamu, addressed a demonstration of 5,000 in Brighton, at the start of the Labour Party Conference, describing current trade policy as “a type of imperialism”. He called on the Government to make three pledges.

“The UK Government should fight to ensure that governments, especially in poor countries, can choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment. These will not always be free trade policies.

“The UK Government should also end export subsidies that damage the livelihoods of poor communities around the world. The UK Government should further make laws that stop big businesses from profiting from the poverty of people and the environment. Right relationships are vitally important and not just the right price.”

Formed in 2000, the goal of the Trade Justice Movement is fundamental change to the rules and institutions which govern international trade. Comprised of more than 50 organisations – aid agencies, environment and human rights campaigns, fairtrade organisations, faith and consumer groups – campaigners argue that global trading rules must be weighted to benefit poor people and the environment.

 More details at: www.tjm.org.uk