Recht Lebendig!
Join the Action Days in Herne
How realistic is the German TV series "Tatort"? How does law affect our everyday life? And is the German Basic Law ready for the future? The rule of law is exciting, multifaceted and quite lively - which is also the meaning of the action days' title „RECHT LEBENDIG“! We encounter the law and rule of law (almost) always and everywhere. Law shapes the way we live together in many different ways, whether in discussions on basic rights or when questioning everyday rules.
Together with cooperation partners from North Rhine-Westphalia, we are inviting you to five-days event on the rule of law from November 10 to 14, 2024 in the city of Herne. In addition to several school projects, there will be a varied programme open for everyone at various locations in the city, including the H2Ö district center, the Herne-Wanne district court and the auditorium of the Strünkede secondary school. The event will kick off with a film evening at Hülsmann Kulturkneipe with the screening of an ARD "Tatort" episode followed by a reality check with experts from the public prosecutor's office and criminal investigation department. The following days, the programme offers exhibitions, workshops, discussions and an interactive quiz on the rule of law at free entry. At table talks, there will be the opportunity to exchange ideas and ask questions in a relaxed atmosphere with representatives of the judiciary.
Programme Schedule
Sunday, November 10, 2024
20:00
Hülsmann Kulturkneipe, Eickeler Markt 1, 44651 Herne
"Tatort" Public Viewing with reality check by experts from the public prosecutor's office and criminal investigation department
ARD crime thriller meets reality: we watch the most recent Tatort episode "Borowski und das ewige Meer" from Kiel and then discuss with people from the field whether TV crime thrillers have anything to do with the reality of police and judicial work. We will be assisted by senior public prosecutor Martin Helm and a representative of the criminal investigation department.
Monday, November 11, 2024
14:00
Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne, Hauptstraße 129, 44651 Herne
Lecture: Recht sicher! Nachlassrecht und Grundbuchrecht
Vorgesorgt für den Ernstfall: Wie verfasst man ein Testament? Und: Wer erbt bei gesetzlicher Erbfolge? Der Vortrag gibt Antworten auf diese und weitere Fragen.
Immobilienerwerb und Grundbuch: Vor dem Erwerb einer Immobilie gibt es viele Fragen: Bestehen Rechte an dem Grundstück? Wer ist als Eigentümerin oder Eigentümer im Grundbuch eingetragen? Kann ich Einsicht ins Grundbuch nehmen? Im Vortrag wird die Rolle des Grundbuchs thematisiert.
15:00
Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne, Hauptstraße 129, 44651 Herne
Public guided tour through the photo exhibition: SPRAWIEDLIWOŚĆ - GERECHTIGKEIT
An exhibition with photographs about justice in Poland
The right-wing conservative government of the PiS ("Prawo i Sprawiedliwość" / "Law and Justice") party fundamentally restructured the Polish judicial system between 2015 and 2023. In doing so, it de facto abolished the independence of the judiciary in Poland. Judges, public prosecutors and lawyers opposed these interventions. Photojournalist Piotr Wójcik took this commitment as the starting point for the photography project, which can be seen at the Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne from October 29 to November 13. The one-hour guided tour will highlight some of the images, provides background information on the events in Poland and address the question of whether the German constitutional state is also vulnerable.
18:00-20:00
Aula der Realschule Strünkede, Bismarckstraße 41, 44629 Herne
Fishbowl discussion: In guter Verfassung? The future of the German Basic Law
with interactive quiz, discussion and music by "Orient-Express"
Under the moderation of Clemens Pfeifer (legal journalist), the audience is invited to discuss with the following guests:
- Dr. Benjamin Limbach, Minister of Justice of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
- Gudrun Schäpers, President of the Hamm Higher Regional Court
- Dr. Frank Dudda, Lord Mayor of the City of Herne
- Gesa Plenter, Board Member of GrundGesetzVerstehen e.V.
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
14:00
Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne
Lecture: Recht sicher! Custody law: The health care proxy
What you need to know about the advantages of a health care proxy and information about the law on guardianship. Also: The difference to a living will - explanations and tips.
15:00
Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne, Hauptstraße 129, 44651 Herne
Public guided tour through the photo exhibition: SPRAWIEDLIWOŚĆ - GERECHTIGKEIT
An exhibition with photographs about justice in Poland
The right-wing conservative government of the PiS ("Prawo i Sprawiedliwość" / "Law and Justice") party fundamentally restructured the Polish judicial system between 2015 and 2023. In doing so, it de facto abolished the independence of the judiciary in Poland. Judges, public prosecutors and lawyers opposed these interventions. Photojournalist Piotr Wójcik took this commitment as the starting point for the photography project, which can be seen at the Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne from October 29 to November 13. The one-hour guided tour will highlight some of the images, provides background information on the events in Poland and address the question of whether the German constitutional state is also vulnerable.
17:00
Erinnerungsort Polizeigefängnis Herne, Karl-Brandt-Weg 7, 44629 Herne
Guided tour through the memorial site Police Prison Herne
The Nazi era has also left its mark in Herne and shows what it means when law and the rule of law are undermined and state power is used against its own citizens. One example of this is the former Herne police prison. Numerous social democrats, communists and church representatives were imprisoned there, as were Herne citizens who were later deported to concentration camps. As part of the Action Days in Herne, the "Förderkreis Mahn- und Gedenkstätte Polizeigefängnis Herne e. V." offers a special guided tour of the otherwise inaccessible building. Registration via "Förderkreis Mahn- und Gedenkstätte Polizeigefängnis Herne e. V." at info@erinnerungsort-herne.de.
19:00
Stadtteilzentrum H2Ö, Hölkeskampring 2, 44625 Herne
Lecture: Stasi in the West. Goals, strategies, methods
The State Security of the GDR is regarded as a symbol of surveillance and injustice. However, it was not only active within the borders of the GDR, but also in the Federal Republic of Germany. Professor Dr Daniela Münkel from the Stasi Records Archive offers a fascinating insight into this and sheds light on the goals, strategies and methods of the Stasi in West Germany in an entertaining lecture.
20:15
Stadtteilzentrum H2Ö, Hölkeskampring 2, 44625 Herne
Table talk with guests from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the Local and Labor Court and the Stasi Records Archive
What does a constitutional protector actually do? What goes through a judge's mind when they pass judgments? And what are the tasks of the Stasi Records Archive? Our table talks give the opportunity to meet people who play a special role in the German constitutional state through their profession. There is no stage or microphone, just a small round table and drinks.
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
9:00-16:00
Stadtteilzentrum H2Ö
Workshop for pedagogical professionals
POSTPONED! The workshop will take place at a later date. We will announce more details here soon!
14:00
Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne
Lecture: Recht sicher! Allgemeines zur Zwangsvollstreckung und Zwangsversteigerung
Experts explain the process of foreclosure proceedings and provide information on foreclosure.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
18:00
Stadtteilzentrum H2Ö, Hölkeskampring 2, 44625 Herne
Lecture with discussion: The USA after the election: rule of law under pressure?
Speaker: Prof Dr Jörg Fedtke, University of Passau
Live guest: Jana Keck, German Historical Institute Washington, D.C.
On November 5, the USA will elect a new president. Donald Trump or Kamala Harris. A convicted felon or a former prosecutor. Either way, the result will have significant consequences for the rule of law in the US and beyond. Jana Keck, an Americanist from the German Historical Institute in Washington, joins us from the USA to report on the mood in the country shortly after the election. Professor Dr Jörg Fedtke from the University of Passau then talks about how and why the rule of law is under pressure in the USA and the significance of the result of the presidential election. He will also address the question of why we in Germany should also take an interest in events in the USA.
19:30
Stadtteilzentrum H2Ö, Hölkeskampring 2, 44625 Herne
Table talk: Meet with guests from the district and labor court and a law firm
Why do you actually become a lawyer? What goes through a judge's mind when she passes judgment? Our table talks give you the opportunity to talk to people who play a special role in the German constitutional state through their profession. There is no stage and no microphone, just a small round table and drinks. At the tables today you will meet guests from the local and labor courts and a law firm.
Supporting Programme
photo exhibition SPRAWIEDLIWOŚĆ - JUSTICE
From October 29 to November 13, 2024, the photo exhibition SPRAWIEDLIWOŚĆ - JUSTICE will be on display at the Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne. The right-wing conservative government of the PiS party ("Prawo i Sprawiedliwość" / "Law and Justice") fundamentally restructured the Polish judicial system between 2015 and 2023 and changed the working conditions for public prosecutors and judges with judicial reforms. From 2018, for example, they had to expect forced transfers and suspensions by a newly created disciplinary chamber. PiS thus de facto abolished the independence of the judiciary in Poland.
Various judges, public prosecutors and lawyers opposed these interventions. Piotr Wójcik, a long-standing photojournalist for the Polish daily newspaper Gazeta Wyborcza and university lecturer, took this commitment as the starting point for the photography project Sprawiedliwość. The images and interviews with the Polish lawyers were taken between 2020 and 2021. The Stiftung Forum Recht has also created a virtual exhibition.
In cooperation with the Fundacja Picture Doc
October 29 to November 13, 2024
Photo exhibition SPRAWIEDLIWOŚĆ - JUSTICE
An exhibition with photographs about justice in Poland
Public guided tours:
Monday, November 11, 2024, 15:00
Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 15:00
Location: Amtsgericht Herne-Wanne
Public court hearings
Public court hearings are held from Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 13:00 all year round. Find current dates via the following links:
www.ag-herne.nrw.de/behoerde/sitzungstermine
www.arbg-herne.nrw.de/behoerde/sitzungstermine
www.ag-hernewanne.nrw.de/behoerde/sitzungstermine
A cooperation of the Stiftung Forum Recht with the Ministry of Justice of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Herne (Department of Integration, Municipal Integration Center) and the Stasi Records Archive (Federal Archives).