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What can I do to make a difference?

Tomato boxes, with words "Trade is about people" The sheer enormity of global poverty can make people feel powerless.

But your choices and your point of view are taken very seriously, by both business and politicians.

And that means, your voice can make a difference in the global trade debate – as both voter and consumer. Why not use it?

At least four ways to take action

Write to yourMember of Parliament orMember of the European Parliament (MEP) asking them to talk to their colleagues about changing Europe's trade and agriculture policies so that more can be done to help developing countries to trade their way out of poverty.
Vote with your wallet – buyfairly traded goods, or look at more ethical ways of travelling
Speak out in support of poor people – for more on this,read DFID’s book ‘The Rough Guide to a Better World’
If you do business, think abouthow your purchasing choices can affect people in poor countries (Businesslink.gov)

Get informed:subscribe free to ‘Developments’, a free quarterly magazine which explores how countries are finding a way out of poverty.
Stay in touch:sign up to our e-bulletin for a fortnightly digest on the latest news from DFID

Here's a list of organisations you can check out if you want to know more.

	Fair Trade Foundation T: + 44 (0)20 7405 5942 W:www.fairtrade.org.uk		Make Trade Fair (Oxfam UK) W:www.maketradefair.com
	Christian Aid T: + 44 (0)20 7620 4444 W:www.christian-aid.org.uk		European Union T: 00 800 6789 1011 (free in EU) W:www.europa.eu.int
	World Trade Organisation (WTO) T: +41 22 739 51 11 W:www.wto.org		World Bank T: +1 202 473 1000 W:www.worldbank.org
	Make Poverty History W:www.makepovertyhistory.org		Trade Justice Movement W:www.tjm.org.uk
	Department of Trade and Industry Response Centre, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET T: +44 (0)20 7215 5000 E: dti.enquiries@dti.gsi.gov.uk W:www.dti.gov.uk		Ethical Trading Initiative T: +44 (0) 20 7404 1463 W:www.ethicaltrade.org