Impressions from our mediation cooperation in Leipzig
Three intensive project days on „Ecological Transformation in Law" with the Gerda Taro School and the University of Leipzig
The ecological transition is a topic that resonates with many young people. But what challenges does it pose to the rule of law? And what exactly defines the rule of law? Students in grades 9 through 11 at the Leipzig school addressed these timely and important questions: Gerda Taro School during three project days from June 28 to 30, 2023. They were accompanied and supported by two teachers, the Team of the Chair of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, European Criminal Law and Philosophy of Law (Prof. Dr. Diethelm Klesczewski, jura.uni-leipzig.de) the University of Leipzig as well as the outreach team at the Forum Recht Foundation. This extraordinary collaboration gave the young participants the opportunity not only to gain knowledge about ecological transformation and the rule of law, but also to take an active role and demonstrate their own communication and analytical skills.
Visiting the Court – Day 1
The project’s kickoff offered the students at the Gerda Taro School an exciting and unique opportunity to attend a hearing at the Leipzig District Court. This experience gave them a firsthand introduction to the world of court proceedings and allowed them to observe directly how the law is applied and administered in practice.
During their visit to the district court, the students not only had the opportunity to observe the course of a court hearing, but also to see the various participants in the legal system in action. They were able to learn about the roles of judges, attorneys, prosecutors, and defendants, and see how they interacted with one another to reach a fair decision.
These impressions were reinforced during a subsequent visit to the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig, one of the most important institutions in the German legal system. There, they were welcomed by an experienced judge who took the time to explain the connection between law and sustainability specifically for them. To illustrate this, she chose a concrete example familiar to everyone: the best-by date on food products. The judge guided the group through the complex legal aspects underlying the establishment and enforcement of best-by dates. She highlighted how the legal system plays a crucial role in ensuring that food is produced and consumed safely and sustainably. The practical example of food allowed the students to better understand the importance of law and the legal system for the topic of sustainability, thanks to its strong connection to everyday life.
Be the Judge for a Day – Day 2
On the second day of the project, the participants put their theoretical knowledge into practice during a simulated court hearing. This allowed them to delve deeply into the topic of „dumpster diving“ and gain practical insights into the proceedings of a court hearing. That morning, each of them took on a different role in court—whether as a lay judge, a judge, or a witness. This day marked the highlight of the project, as the students now had the opportunity to administer justice themselves.
Safeguarding Freedom Across Time – The Federal Constitutional Court’s Climate Ruling – Day 3
To conclude the project, on the third day, Dr. Katja Rath, an expert from the Institute for Business Law at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, visited the group at the Forum Recht Foundation. In a presentation, she used selected examples to illustrate the extraordinary significance of the Federal Constitutional Court’s climate protection ruling and emphasized its relevance across generations. During the subsequent discussion session with the expert and the foundation’s facilitation team, the participants were able to reflect on possible courses of action and potential solutions. This exchange not only gave the young people a deeper understanding of the complex legal issues surrounding climate protection, but also inspired them to reflect on their personal responsibility toward future generations and to discuss concrete steps toward a more sustainable future.
The project enabled the students to deepen their understanding of the complex interrelationships between sustainability and the law, and encouraged them to ask critical questions and discuss innovative solutions with one another. The participants gained many new insights and perspectives from the three days of the project. The collaboration between Gerda-Taro-Schule, the University of Leipzig, and the Forum Recht Foundation was a complete success. We look forward to more exciting collaborations in the future!
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