Trade justice

If Africa, east Asia, South Asia and Latin America were each to increase their share of world exports by just 1%, the resulting gains in income could lift 128 million people out of poverty. Low-income, developing countries account for 40% of the world population, but just 3% of world trade.

Trade has the potential to lift millions of people out of poverty - but only if its benefits are distributed equitably, and the methods to encourage it do not undermine the poorest and most marginalised communities.

World Vision is a member of the Trade Justice Movement (TJM) - a coalition of charities and organizations in the UK campaigning for trade justice. We are currently arguing that international trade negotiations should:

• Stop forcing poor countries to open their markets, and champion their right to manage their own economies
• Regulate big business and their investments, to ensure people and the environment come before profits
• Stop rich countries promoting the interests of big business through trade interventions, that harm the poor and the environment
• Ensure trade policy is made in a fair, transparent and democratic way.

World Vision often works with smaller and medium-sized producers to help them access markets and benefit from improvements in their economy, but increasing access to western markets for developing countries as a whole does not always directly benefit the smallest producers. We are working in this area to promote the sharing of the benefits of trade and economic growth with all.