May 11, 2026
Study Tour: International and European Law
From October 17 to 25, 2026, the itinerary will take travelers from Karlsruhe through Strasbourg, Luxembourg, and Brussels to The Hague.
With this year’s study tour on the topic of „International Law,“ the Forum Recht Foundation offers thought leaders a unique professional development experience: practical, international, and networking-oriented. From Saturday, October 17, through Sunday, October 25, 2026, participants can look forward to an intensive, varied program featuring exclusive insights, expert input, and opportunities for discussion.
Over the course of nine days, the journey will take us through five key centers of European and international law. It begins with Karlsruhe, the „Residence of Justice.“ Here, a themed city tour, introductory activities, and workshops provide a solid foundation of knowledge. Afterward, the tour continues to Strasbourg including visits to the European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe. In Luxembourg The program includes, among other things, a look inside the Court of Justice of the European Union. In Brussels Exclusive access to the European Commission and the ARD’s international studio enables an in-depth examination of European legal policy and a media perspective. The program concludes with The Hague – including visits to key institutions such as the International Court of Justice and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
Insights, Exchange, Perspectives
Guided tours led by on-site experts provide access to institutions that are often off-limits to the public. Lectures from both academic and professional perspectives delve deeper into the subject matter, while workshops and discussion groups offer opportunities for reflection and knowledge transfer.
The study tour combines current issues related to law in everyday life with historical developments, such as those in international law. The common thread is the role of law in Europe and the world—and the question of how the rule of law can be effectively communicated.
There is a special emphasis on interaction among the participants. Different professional perspectives come together and foster the development of concrete ideas and approaches for participants’ own professional practice.
Purpose of the study trip
The bus tour is aimed at teachers, educators and social workers, media professionals, decision-makers, lay judges, and other stakeholders involved in legal education and the promotion of the rule of law.
Participants are empowered to initiate and facilitate informed discussions on law and the rule of law in their respective fields of work. The program focuses on issues of international law—particularly in the context of the European Union and the United Nations.
Information at a Glance
Travel dates:
Start: Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. in Karlsruhe
End: Sunday, October 25, 2026, around 1:00 p.m. in The Hague
Target audience: This training program is aimed at multipliers from the education sector (schools, political education, adult education centers, other educational institutions), the social sector (e.g., volunteer youth leaders, social workers), as well as media professionals, decision-makers, (local) politicians, and individuals with a professional interest in the subject (e.g., lay judges).
Travel Arrangements and Itinerary: The nine-day study tour will be led by staff members of the Forum Recht Foundation. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to Karlsruhe. The return trip from The Hague is to be arranged individually. The study tour is organized with the support of a bus company.
Languages: Proficiency in German and English is required. The tour guide and, to the extent possible, the program are conducted in German. Part of the program, particularly the visits to international organizations, may take place in English; translation into German is not provided.
Tour operator: to be announced
Overnight stay: By default, participants will be booked into double rooms (or, where possible, twin rooms) with breakfast included; room assignments will be made by the foundation during the application process. Upon request, a single room with breakfast included can be booked for an additional fee. The hotels are expected to be the following:
Karlsruhe: Premier Inn at the Water Tower
Luxembourg: Novotel Luxembourg Kirchberg
Brussels: Hotel du Congrès
The Hague: Holiday Inn The Hague – Parliament
Costs: Personal contribution in the amount of 450 euros when staying in a double or twin room occupied by two people. The Single-room surcharge is 885 euros (Total cost: 1,335 euros). Participants are responsible for their own lunch and dinner expenses.
If you don't need a hotel in Karlsruhe, we'll try to arrange a small price reduction in consultation with the tour operator.
Participation Scholarships: The Forum Recht Support Association The Forum Recht Support Association awards three scholarships of 600 euros each (450 euros toward tuition and 150 euros as a travel allowance for travel to and from the event) to enable individuals who would otherwise have difficulty affording it to participate in the study trip. You can apply for the scholarship directly on the registration form.
Capacity & Selection Process: The number of participants is limited to 25 people is limited, and the participant’s own contribution covers only a portion of the costs. We therefore reserve the right to select participants based on a number of criteria. These include, in particular: serving as a multiplier in the context of political education/legal (and constitutional) education, a connection to the theme of the study tour or opportunities for implementation within the scope of their role as multipliers, representation of various employers and institutions, quantitative gender balance, regional diversity among participants, and participation in past training programs offered by the Forum Recht Foundation.
Schedule for the Study Trip*
| Tag | Location | Time | Planned Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Karlsruhe | 12:30 | Arrival, Getting to Know Each Other, City Tour „Quite Urban!" – European Edition |
| 17:00 | Workshop: What Is International and European Law? (Featuring: Vanessa Schweitzer, Forum Recht Foundation) | ||
| 19:15 | dinner together | ||
| Sunday, October 18, 2026 | Karlsruhe | 09:15 | Workshop: Teaching Law and the Rule of Law |
| 11:30 | Lecture: The European Court of Human Rights and the Council of Europe (Featuring: Prof. Dr. Marten Breuer, University of Konstanz) | ||
| 13:30 | Film and Discussion: „Nuremberg" at the Schauburg Movie Theater (Featuring: Philipp Graebke, FAU Nuremberg) | ||
| Monday, October 19, 2026 | Strasbourg | 09:15 | Visit to the European Court of Human Rights |
| 13:30 | Visit to the Council of Europe | ||
| Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | Luxembourg | 09:00 | Visit to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) |
| starting at 2:00 p.m. | Presentation: „The European Public Prosecutor’s Office" at the „Erlebnis Europa“ visitor center, as well as a role-playing activity about the European Parliament | ||
| Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | Brussels | 09:00 | Visit by the European Commission |
| 13:30 | Visit to the Council of the European Union | ||
| 15:30 | Visit to the ARD Studio in Brussels | ||
| Thursday, October 22, 2026 | The Hague | 09:40 | Visit to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) |
| 13:30 | EUROJUST | ||
| 16:00 | Visit to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) | ||
| Friday, October 23, 2026 | The Hague | 10:00 | Visit to the International Criminal Court (ICC) |
| 16:00 | The Hague Humanity Hub | ||
| Saturday, October 24, 2026 | The Hague | 09:30 | City Tour |
| 13:00 | Lecture & Workshop | ||
| 18:30 | dinner together | ||
| Sunday, October 25, 2026 | The Hague | 09:30 | Closing Workshop and Feedback Session |
| 13:00 | End of the Program and Return Trip | ||
| * Subject to change. The program presented here is only an excerpt. Once accepted, participants will receive access to our engagement platform, which contains additional information. | |||
Application to Participate in the Study Tour
A binding registration or application was due through Sunday, August 9, 2026, Possible. Participants will receive a confirmation from us with additional information regarding registration and payment of the participation fee. If you have any questions about our training courses, please feel free to email us at fortbildungen(at)stiftung-forum-recht.de.
Study Trip Registration Form
Review
Here you can find highlights from the 2025 study trip.
Review of the 2025 Study Trip
The Forum Recht Foundation’s first study tour on the topic of „The Rule of Law in Germany“ took place from October 19 to 25, 2025. The central theme of the tour was the rule of law in all its dimensions—from the past to the present.