From 6 to 12 September, the German Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection jointly with the Polish Ministry of Justice held the first Polish-German Rule of Law Summer School. Guided by the conviction that the only way to counteract democratic backsliding is investment in the civil society and pro-democratic education, this Summer School brought together 30 students and doctoral students from both countries to explore topics most pertinent to rule of law and inshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union. The International Nuremberg Principles Acadcemy (Nuremberg Academy) was chosed by the German Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection to participate with a contribution on Transitional Justice and Lawless Law. Project Officer Astrid Walter represented the Nuremberg Academy at the Summer School at Cracow, held at the premises of the Cracow Court of Appeal (Sąd Apelacyjny w Krakowie).
The Summer School was structured around ten key-themes, each discussed by the students together with one expert moderator from both countries. The topics covered a wide range of issues relevant to rule of law and contested at a time shaped by democratic backsliding across European countries. Topics included questions of judicial independence and struggles over the jurisdiction of European and national courts; minority rights including LGBTQ+ issues and migrant societies; freedom of speech and further human rights. Astrid Walter represented the Nuremberg Academy by co-moderating the discussion of the matters of “Lawless Law and Civil Disobedience” that challenged the legitimate authority of “lawless law” imposed by an anti-democratic or authoritarian regime. A visit to the memorial sites of the Auschwitz I and II concentration camps, closely related to the “Lawless Law” session, completed the programme und highlighted the importance of striving to uphold the rule of law.
The Polish-German Rule of Law Summer School was organised for the first time in 2026, and it is planned to hold this event annually in different locations, alternating between a venue in Germany and in Poland. The initiative is based on the understanding that “[t]here is no better way to build-up and strengthen resilience of rule of law and liberal democracy, than to promote education to democracy,” as expressed by both Ministries. Moreover, bringing together 30 students and 20 experts from both countries fostered a unique and special exchange to learn from each other and to bring both countries closer together. (aw)