Talking up trade.

• Date: 01 October 2006
• Author: Domeisen, Natalie
• Published date: 01 October 2006
• Author: Domeisen, Natalie

In development circles, trade is becoming accepted as a way to address poverty. Among the broader public, however, few make the link between trade and poverty reduction. Trade is seen as an "insider" or elite topic, not a subject of dinner conversation.

But this is slowly shifting. NGOs are taking the trade debate to a broader public with flair, with fair trade groups and Oxfam in the forefront. Governments are bringing the views of business and NGOs into trade talks. Negotiators are making...