The survey was launched on 11 June 2014 and received more than 1,500 responses. The majority of the respondents were from North America (52 per cent), followed by Europe and Latin America, with an even distribution across age groups. The aim of the survey was to gain a better understanding of public views about international trade.

More than half of the respondents agree that greater international trade offers them a wide variety of consumer choices at affordable prices but two-thirds feel that it limits their ability to buy safe foods and products. Half the respondents feel that international trade has an ambiguous impact on jobs, both creating and destroying opportunities for employment.

Most of the survey participants said they always check for country of origin for the clothes they buy but hardly ever for cars, energy, technology and food. Some 86 per cent of respondents feel that locally produced goods are better for the environment and employment and try to buy them as much as possible. By a very small majority, respondents feel that local goods also benefit from international trade.

As well as presenting the full results of the survey, the Public Forum will feature a three-day programme of discussions focusing on “why trade matters to everyone”. The keynote address on Day 1 will be delivered by Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary General, and William Ruto, Deputy President of Kenya. Taking part in the opening debate will be WTO Director-General Roberto Azevêdo , ILO Director-General Guy Ryder, the Executive Editor of US National Public Radio, Robert Smith, andthe Director General of Consumers International, AmandaLong. The debate will be moderated by Julie Gichuru, TV host and news anchor. A special message from Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, and His Holiness Pope Francis will also be transmitted.

Day 2 will be opened by Axel Addy, Liberia’s Minister of Commerce and Industry. This will be followed by a debate on “what trade means for Africa” with Frank Matsaert, CEO of Trademark East Africa, Razia Khan, Managing Director of Africa Macro Global Research at Standard Chartered, Issam Chleuh, Founder and CEO of Africa Impact Group, and Paul Brenton, Lead Economist at the World Bank.

The Public Forum will also feature numerous workshops and other discussions on the themes of “trade and consumers”, “trade and jobs”, and “trade and Africa”. The atrium of the WTO’s headquarters will contain the Trade & People Fair showcasing concrete examples of how international trade is making positive improvements to the lives of people around the world. Also in the atrium will be a “trade around the world” display showing the stories of people from around the world who are using trade as a tool to improve their lives. Other special features of the Forum include author spotlights, where a number of writers will discuss their latest publications, and wish trees dotted throughout the building where participants can write their own accounts of why trade matters to them.

We welcome you to the start of the Forum. The full programme is available here. And please do not forget to #pf14 when you post any comments on social media!