World Trade Organization<br/><br/>

Three years ago, I went with a group of young parishioners to Mexico for participating in a 10-day Learning Camp. The purpose of the camp is to acquaint ourselves with the living conditions of the residents there. On one of those days, we had to go to the markets to buy some farm products, then go to foreign-owned supermarkets and purchase similar products with the same amount of money. The result was that we could buy a bigger quantity for the same price at supermarkets. The reason is simple: governments of rich nations subsidize their farm products in order to lower the cost of production. As a result, farmers of the poor nations are the ones who suffer most. It is no wonder that the meeting of the World Trade Organization recently held in Hong Kong drew protests by farmers from many countries. The demonstrators hope that government subsidies for farm products can be banned. This is the only way farmers from different countries can compete fairly.<br/><br/>

The goal of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which was established on JanuaWorld Trade Organizationry 1, 1995, is to protect all member nations in free trade through commercial agreements.<br/><br/>

The establishment of the WTO was to incorporate the “Global Village” concept – where everyone is equal, borders and boundaries disappear and all mankind is one family. Although the WTO has much more work to do, everyone in the “Global Village” can also guide and lead us to the aim of peace and unity. Craig Kielburger, who was introduced last week, is a good example.