EU50 Celebrations - European Movement

3.27.47pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 2nd Apr 2007

To mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome the Sussex Branch of European Movement held two conferences, one at Chatham House on March 22, the other at Goodwood House on March 28. It received sponsorship in particular from the City of London and the European Commission Representation in the UK. It benefited from collaboration with Chatham House, the German Embassy and the Federal Trust. Keynote speakers at Chatham House were Geoff Hoon, Peter Mandelson and Kenneth Clarke. These speeches and others are now on our briefings page with a specially commissioned paper by Quentin Peel, 'The Treaty of Rome at 50'

Geoff Hoon at Chatham House

There was a small, rather sorry, band of protesters outside Chatham House that shouted slogans and dispersed after about two hours.

At Goodwood, speakers included Baroness Shirley Williams, Reijo Kemppinen and Professor Alan Mayhew from Sussex University.

The conferences had capacity audiences with 250 at Chatham House and 130 at Goodwood, including 30 sixth formers. The events were well received. Said one about Chatham, ' Please allow me to thank the EM for one of the most memorable days in my life'. Another said about Goodwood, 'The best ever EM event'.

Europe sans frontieres

Ken Clarke unveiled an etching entitled 'Europe sans frontieres' by Royal College of Art postgraduate student David Borrington. It was commissioned by the EM and presented to Chatham House in recognition of its providing the venue for the conference.

The conference director for both events, Stephen Quigley, is a past member of the LDEG Executive and a current member of the EM National Council. Many thanks to him for all the hard work.