A petition supporting fair trade and signed by more than 180 religious leaders was presented to the World Trade Organization in April by Rev. Samuel Kobia, general secretary for the World Council of Churches. "We seek a world where global trade systems give priority to people who live in poverty," said Kobia.
The petition urged governments to change international rules and practices that govern trade to give priority to human rights, protection of the environment and the eradication of poverty.
The Geneva-based WTO is an international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations and regions. "The biblical standards for economic activity are justice and taking the side of the poor," said Kobia. "This vision should not be reduced to mere equality of opportunity for all individuals to compete without hindrance."
The presentation was part of a Global Week of Action on Trade, an initiative of civil society, non-governmental organizations and faith communities worldwide during which millions of people in more than 80 countries called for trade justice.
The petition states, "We believe that trade must promote human well-being, sustainable communities and economic justice, and that governments must be able to set trade policies to safeguard the rights of all people, especially those living in poverty."
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