TTIP: What price the EU-US trade agreement?

The negotiations involved with the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have, understandably, attracted widespread attention. Events took place at the University of Brighton on Tuesday 17 May 2016. The workshop and debate explored whether we should find this mega trade agreement between the EU and the US enticing or frightening.

An academic workshop took place during the day and brought together legal scholars, social scientists and activists, by invitation. In the evening, an open public event was hosted at the Sallis Benney Theatre at Grand Parade at the University of Brighton as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival.

Academic workshop

The academic workshop critically discussed the process of negotiation and drafting of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and certain controversial aspects of its proposed content. It will bring together legal scholars, social scientists and activists in order to explore the role law and lawyers have so far played in the social contestation over TTIP and to draw more general lessons about the role of law in social movements.

Participants

Professor Diamond Ashiagbor (School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London)
Dr Lucy Finchett-Maddock (University of Sussex)
Paul Gilbert (Brunel University)
John Hilary (War on Want)
Professor Wolfram Schaffer (University of Vienna)
Professor David Schneiderman (University of Toronto)
Professor M. Sornarajah (National University of Singapore)
Dr Neil Stammers (University of Sussex)
Ntina Tzouvala (University of Durham)

Co-organisers

Professor Marie-Bénédicte Dembour (University of Brighton)
Dr Anil Yilmaz (University of Essex)

Public debate

The public debate event was organised by the University of Brighton and the RSA as part of the Brighton Fringe Festival. The event sought to explore the TTIP negotiations, their implications and identify whether the proposed trade agreement would bring growth and jobs or kill democracy.

Panellists

Jacqueline Minor (European Commission)
Allie Renison (Institute of Directors)
John Hilary (War on Want)
Professor David Schneiderman (Toronto)
Q&A session chaired by Professor Marie-Bénédicte Dembour (Brighton)

Engagement was encouraged through social media and interested parties could follow the debate at #TTIPBrighton.

Event programme

The event took place on Tuesday 17 May, commencing with an invitation only academic workshop and ending with an evening public debate.

Event impact

The academic workshop was attended by legal scholars, social scientists and activists and involved an exchange of knowledge and views on the subject of TTIP. The evening open event was widely publicised through our partnership with Brighton Fringe Festival and the RSA and widened participation in discussion of the issues.

Through dissemination and discussion, it is hoped that we contribute to the ongoing debate about what works and influences policymaking in this field.