Fair Trade? How Oxfam Presented a Systemic Approach to Poverty, Development, Human Rights, and Trade

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Title:	Fair Trade? How Oxfam Presented a Systemic Approach to Poverty, Development, Human Rights, and Trade
Source:	28(4) Human Right Quarterly 998-1030.
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Dispute Resolution Organ:
Year:	2006
Pages:	0
Author(s):	Aaronson, Susan A. and Jamie Zimmerman
Keywords:	WTO, development, human rights, poverty, Oxfam, trade
Abstract:	In this article the authors reflect on the impact that Oxfam has had in the agenda and policies of the World Trade Organization, despite the fact that it is not a member of it. They make reference to the “rights-based approach to development” that Oxfam adopted in its strategic plan, with which the NGO prescribed very specific policies to ensure that WTO rules do not disadvantage development or undermine human rights (p.2). They address how the WTO has dealt with issues like poverty, human rights and development. Afterwards, they explain how Oxfam moved from its statement on rights-based approach to a focus on “making trade fair” as a way to ensure that WTO members become aware of the inconsistencies of their policies. They highlight the contributions that Oxfam has done to the debate on the effects of trade on human rights and the fight against poverty. Still they consider regrettable that Oxfam moved away from its original focus, which it should take back in order to bring along the public and policymakers on the systemic nature of the problem – that there is a relationship between poverty, development, human rights and trade rules.
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