Globe trade policies systems were the main agenda for the world ecumenical bodies this week. The idea for global trade policies systems was promoted by the World Council of Churches (WCC) in a meeting with representatives of the World Trade Organisation in Geneva. An ecumenical delegation presented a petition at the 13th April gathering that requested a "change in the international rules and practices that govern trade."

The petition, which was signed by more than 264 Christian leaders around the world stated, "We demand that our government and the governments of the world change the international rules and practices that govern trade so that they give priority to human rights and protection of the environment, and contribute to the eradication of poverty."

Rev Samuel Kobia, the general secretary of the World Council of Churches led the delegation in presenting the Trade for People Campaign for the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, which consist of more than 90 churches and Christian organisations from all over the world.

Kobia said, "Trade is not just a matter of economics but of faith" since "biblical standards for economic activity are justice and taking the side of the poor. We seek a world where global trade systems give priority to people who live in poverty."

The delegation was also representing other world leading ecumenical bodies, such as the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC), the Lutheran World Federation and the World Young Women’s Christian Association.

The general secretary of the WARC, Rev Setri Nyomi stated that trade policies are often an area of concern for churches in impoverished countries. Nyomi said, "Every day, our pastors in towns and villages are accompanying people suffering as a consequence of trade policies and we want to ensure that the cries of those people are heard."

The World Trade Organisation director for external relations, Alain Frank, who received the petition, ensured the religious leaders that the WTO had the same worries as them. The WCC also reported that Frank called on ecumenical leaders to address the petition to national governments as well as other UN-related agencies, as the WTO could not "do more than it is equipped to do."

The petition has come about as part of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance’s Global Week of Action on Trade, which is taking place currently from 10-16 April.

To see the Trade for People Petition – which includes a list of signatures, please visit www.e-alliance.ch/tradepetition.jsp