The campaign Speak up Europe was launched with a public debate "EU TRADE ON TRIAL" that took place in Brussels in front of 300 people.

The launch of the campaign Speak up Europe took place on the evening of the 23rd November in the Théâtre du Résidence Palace in Brussels. The debate "EU TRADE ON TRIAL" that opened the campaign attracted around 300 people who filled the Théâtre and created the right environment for an interesting debate.

The debate took up the form of a simulated trial where David O'Sullivan, the Director General of Directorate General for Trade (European Commission), had to present a convincing argument to defend the current EU Trade Policy. He was assisted by two witnesses: Craig Burchell from Philips Electronics and Erika Mann, a Socialist Member of the European Parliament. Celine Charveriat (Head of Make Trade Fair campaign, Oxfam International) lead the critical assesment of the EU Trade Policy, supported by Caroline Lucas, a Green Member of the European Parliament and Fouad Hamdam from the Friends of the Earth Europe.

The debate was moderated by Pat Cox and opened and closed with a vote on the EU Trade Policy. While the result at the beginning was slightly favourable for the policy, the result at the end showed a clear 50-50 split among the public.

To read a longer report of the event, please visit the EurActiv's website.

Download the concept note for the debate.