Sarah Birkebak writes about the U.S. trade agreement with Colombia for Third Way Cafe: Currently, the Obama Administration is seeking to pass a Free Trade Agreement with Colombia despite previous promises to hold off until the human rights situation improved. A free trade agreement would be severely detrimental for Colombia’s already vulnerable populations as the…
During his campaign, President Obama promised not to support a free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia until conditions improved. Despite reports of continued violence, the Obama Administration is taking steps to pass the agreement as soon as possible. Colombia now endures the largest displacement crisis in the world, with 5.2 million people living in desperate…
by Alexis Erkert Depp If you’re wearing Gap, Calvin Klein or Levi Strauss jeans there’s a chance that I’ve met the worker that made your belt loops or your waistband. If you’ve recently bought Hanes underwear or a Maidenform bra, check the label. Was it made in Haiti? If not, the next pair you buy probably…
The MCC Washington Office just published a new resource for congregations to reflect and advocate for trade justice. According to the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, “Trade justice is people-centered, respects human rights, and guarantees food security, livelihoods and sustainable development for the whole of society. It recognizes the right of all people to have a say…
On April 1, 2010 NPR aired an interview with Charles Bowden, a journalist, who has written a book (Murder City: Ciudad Juarez and the Global Economy’s New Killing Fields) about the violence in Cuidad Juarez, a Mexican city riddled with drug related killings. Bowden criticizes U.S. policy toward Mexico and calls for the re-examination of the North…
The Trade Reform, Accountability, Development and Employment (TRADE) Act provides a framework for re-evaluating and re-shaping U.S. trade policy so that it serves the common good by providing stable jobs, environmental protections, public health and poverty reduction. The bill sets standards for what must and must not be included in future trade agreements, and requires…
Check out this short film about free trade. The film follows an animated American peanut, who sings about the difficulties of nuts from developing countries. The film helps people to see how the pressure to embrace “free market” economics, with its promise of a wealthy, abundant market place has actually driven many countries further into…
MCC Washington Memo 