The opening event of the campaign "Speak-Up Europe!" was a debate “Trade on trial” held on 23 November, 2006 with – amongst others - David O’Sullivan (Director General of DG Trade) and Celine Charveriat (Head of Make Trade Fair campaign for Oxfam), moderated by Pat Cox (President of EMI and former president of the European Parliament).
Around 300 people came together at the Residence Palace in Brussels. At the beginning and at then end of the experts’ presentations, the audience were asked to vote in favor of or against today’s European trade policies, by showing the red or green card. Finally, they were able to question the expert speakers and put their own views on EU trade policy.
The Speak up Europe campaign is part of European Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström’s Plan-D programme for dialogue, democracy and debate. Speak-up Europe will consist of around 300 events in 25 countries throughout Europe using on-line tools, audio-visual elements and a series of European debates. The project was one of the few selected amongst the many applications submitted to the European Commission in response to the call for proposals within the framework of Plan D.
The UEF welcomes the success of this launch event and is confident that “EU trade on trial” was the beginning of a successful debate campaign involving European citizens.
UEF Secretary General, Dr. Friedhelm Frischenschlager said Europe is at the moment facing a revival of nationalism, even xenophobic attitudes. The conviction of an efficient and powerful EU as a necessity to meet European and global problems seems more and more overshadowed by shortsighted national interests. With regards to this situation, confidential decision making procedures, political manipulation or mere EU propaganda are counterproductive.
Democratic openness as well as regular and understandable communication policies are the way to gain citizens’ support and to increase the popular legitimacy of the EU. Plan D is an important step in this direction. UEF, JEF, EMI and Euractiv will concentrate their efforts to this aim during the next year. The event yesterday was a great event, and many more will follow.”
Notes to editors
Founded in 1946, the Union of European Federalists (UEF) is an independent and non-governmental European organisation, campaigning for a federal Europe. It unites constituent organisations and federalists from 20 European countries and all age groups. Since April 2005, it is presided over by Mrs. Mercedes BRESSO, President of the Italian Region of Piedmont, Member of the EU Committee of the Regions.
For more information about the UEF/JEF or this position paper, please contact:
Dr. Friedhelm FRISCHENSCHLAGER, UEF Secretary-General, Tel: +32 2 508 30 30, Email: info(at)federaleurope.org
