| You are here: what we do > issues we work on > make trade fair |
 |
Trade is one of the most powerful forces linking our lives and a source of unprecedented wealth. Yet the benefits are not being shared by all: millions of the world's people are being left behind.
 |
Unfair trade rules are one of the biggest obstacles to development.
- For every dollar given to poor countries in aid, they lose two dollars to rich countries because of unfair trade.
Rip off? You can do something about it. Join the Make Trade Fair campaign and demand new, fairer trade rules that will make a real and positive difference in the fight against poverty.
Pacific under pressure
New Zealand and Australia are initiating new trade negotiations with the Pacific. It’s vital that New Zealand supports a trade agreement that will help the Pacific make the most of their trading opportunities, so they can use trade as a tool to lift people out of poverty.
At the August 2009 Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Cairns, the region’s leaders, including Prime Minister John Key, announced that trade negotiations would be undertaken between Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific "forthwith". This was despite a statement to the media only two days earlier by Pacific Island Leaders (excluding John Key and Australia’s Kevin Rudd) that the Pacific countries were not ready to launch negotiations.
Civil society groups from throughout the region had earlier issued a joint statement to the region's trade ministers listing nine key demands and calling on Pacific Trade Ministers to resist pressure to embark on premature negotiations. Australian and New Zealand groups, including Oxfam, issued a statement of support for their Pacific colleagues and called on the Australian and New Zealand governments to refrain from pushing for negotiations until ten key conditions have been met.
The New Zealand government is now calling for submissions from the public as part of the process to decide how it conducts negotiations with our Pacific neighbours. It is important that our negotiators understand that New Zealanders want a fair and development-friendly agreement that will be of real benefit to the Pacific and so we are urging as many people as possible to make their voices heard.
- Take action: write a submission to the New Zealand government
- Read Oxfam New Zealand’s submission on PACER Plus (PDF 1,156 KB)
Understanding trade issues
Rich countries have rigged international trade rules in their own favour and at the expense of people living in poverty.
- How does the rip-off work? What's the New Zealand position on trade?: click here to read understanding the issues
- Easy guide to trade terms: click here to check out simple, animated explanations as to how the trade rip off works
- GATS...Doha Development Agenda...Liberalisation: click here to read trade terms explained
 Fancy a cuppa? Host your own Coffee Break at this delicious Fairtrade fundraiser!
|
 The Ox-whanau Oxfam staff hail from around the world. Meet some of us here... |
 Chicks contribute to livelihoods Read the story about women in PNG raising chicks for their families. |
 Oxfam Trailwalker Entries are now open for this fantastic fundraising event. Reserve your team's place today. |