Get Mandelson to back up his words on trade At the World Trade Organisation talks last December, EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said he would "put trade at the service of development" when he was presented with the Big Noise Petition (a petition signed by a staggering 18 million people worldwide who want to Make Trade Fair). Now, over two months on, we need him to back up his words with action. We need Mandelson to use his position to ensure that the European Union puts getting rid of poverty at the heart of world trade talks. We also need him to stop making trade-offs with developing countries, which could actually damage their economies (whilst only really benefitting countries in Europe). Back in December, Mandelson said: "Keep pushing us forwards, and keep showing that you are impatient and that you will not be tolerant of any outcome that is less than satisfactory of genuinely needy and poor people in developing countries in this world. Please keep raising your voices, please keep speaking out." So, let's take him at his word. Let's put pressure on him to act now. We need as many people as possible to e-mail Mandelson to put poverty reduction at the centre of world trade talks. So do it today, and let us know when you have done by adding a comment below. posted at 10:44 AM | Permalink 2 comments   Comments: GenerationWhy and Oxfam accept no responsibility for the content of comments in the Blog. Done it! And if you've got headphones you get to hear the words tumble out of Mandy's mouth, nice one. By  Bingo Bango, March 03, 2006 11:33 AM   I emailed Mr Brown. I added something to the beginning of the email though. I asked him if he remembered when he was a student, how he felt he had the whole world before him and that he could really make a difference in the world. I said that that was the stage I am at in my life now, alas, I am not the Prime Minister and the effects I can have on this world at present will not be as forceful as effects he can have. Maybe he'll take heed. By  Alice Mountain, August 10, 2007 10:07 AM   Post a Comment

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