Ronan talks to Vee TV - Channel 4's magazine programme for young deaf people - see the screen captures here

Please do not use this interview anywhere else without asking for permission, thank you.

Hello

The campaign is getting a lot of support can we really make poverty history?

R: Well that’s the plan I mean if enough people listen, if the powers that be pay attention and with nights like this, yes, I believe we can.

What made you so passionate about this cause?

R:  About two years ago, I started to educate myself about the effects of free trade and how the Trade Justice Campaign can make a difference.  So with Christian Aid I went to Ghana in March and saw for myself how tomato farmers, chicken farmers, rice farmers are affected by free trade.

When you went to Ghana, what impact did it have on you?

R:  I met families, I met a woman who was a chicken farmer, she has six children and her husband died because she couldn’t afford medical supplies.  She couldn’t sell her chickens in the market because chicken from Holland was cheaper – frozen chicken sent a thousand miles from Holland, 3,000 miles.

That’s the effect, that’s the situation, they are the issues.  How can money help?

R:  It’s not only the money, that’s the thing.  People think it’s all about money it’s not.  It’s about influencing the right people – Tony Blair, Bertie Ahern, all the major powers in this world, so that they in turn influence the World Bank, the I.M.F – the International Monetary Fund.

You’re very successful and can support this campaign, but our viewers might feel they can’t afford to.  How would you encourage them?  What can they do?

R:  The best thing I can say is write letters to Tony Blair, to your local politicians, MP’s, whoever it may be, to make a difference.

Thank you

Presenter: Rebecca Tadman

Interpreter: Howard Hardiman