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: Best Western Plus Grand Hotel Victor Hugo
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.

Registration: A binding registration or application must be submitted by Sunday, August 9, 2026, possible. If you are selected for the trip, you will receive a confirmation from us with further information regarding registration and payment of your contribution.

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	Planned Activities
Saturday, October 17, 2026	Karlsruhe	Arrival, Getting to Know Each Other, City Tour
Sunday, October 18, 2026	Karlsruhe	Presentations and Workshops
Monday, October 19, 2026	Strasbourg	European Court of Human Rights, Council of Europe
Tuesday, October 20, 2026	Luxembourg	ECJ, „Erlebnis Europa“ Visitor Center“
Wednesday, October 21, 2026	Brussels	European Commission, European Council, ARD Studio in Brussels
Thursday, October 22, 2026	The Hague	International Court of Justice, EUROJUST
Friday, October 23, 2026	The Hague	International Criminal Court, OPCW
Saturday, October 24, 2026	The Hague	Presentations and Workshops
Sunday, October 25, 2026	The Hague	Conclusion, Departure
* 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.

Sunday, October 19: Karlsruhe: Independent travel to Karlsruhe; in the afternoon: Get-together at the Forum Recht Foundation, „Law in the City!“ walking tour of the city, Lecture 1: Dr. Detlev Fischer (former judge on the Federal Court of Justice): „The Early Years of the “Residence of Justice„“; Lecture 2: Jörg Müller (President of the Higher Regional Court of Karlsruhe): “Can the Judiciary Save Democracy?”
Monday, October 20: Karlsruhe: Visit to the Federal Constitutional Court; lecture by Maximilian Hohmann (attorney specializing in constitutional complaints, among other areas); guided tour of the Federal Court of Justice and discussion with Judge Dr. Christiane Schmaltz; visit to the ARD legal news desk at SWR and meeting with Frank Bräutigam
Tuesday, October 21: Visit to the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office in Karlsruhe; trip to Stuttgart; visit to the Stammheim Correctional Facility and meeting with facility director Matthias Nagel; bus transfer to the State Archives in Ludwigsburg; lecture by Dr. Peter Müller and Dr. Elke Koch: „Stammheim and the RAF“; dinner in Ludwigsburg; onward travel to Nuremberg
Wednesday, October 22: Visit to the Nuremberg Trials Memorial, guided tour of the Nuremberg Palace of Justice, and, if possible, attendance at a criminal trial and a Q&A session with experts; visit to the Nuremberg-West Police Station and a Q&A session; transfer to Leipzig
Thursday, October 23: Guided tour of the Federal Administrative Court & discussion with a judge at the Federal Administrative Court, city walking tour „Law in the City,“ visit to the Institute of Forensic Medicine, Keynote Lecture 1: Prof. Dr. Fabian Michel: "Teaching the Rule of Law: Democratic Law and Its Teaching,“ Keynote Lecture 2: Dr. Anselm Hartinger: „Teaching the Rule of Law at the Leipzig Museum of City History," Transfer to Berlin
Friday, October 24: Discussion with Bärbel Kohake, Head of the Foundations Division at the Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, and a discussion with attorney Dr. Lilja Székessy (who provides legal counseling to young people through the Berlin Bar Association), Visit to the Society for Civil Liberties, presentation of Bijan Moini’s project „AfD Expert Report,“ visit to the Topography of Terror Documentation Center with a seminar titled “Political Justice under National Socialism”
Saturday, October 25: Visit to the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, closing session/evaluation, 3:30 p.m. bus departure for Karlsruhe/individual departures
*(Subject to change; as of May 4, 2026)

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Application to Participate in the Study Tour

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

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Need for Scholarships

I am hereby applying for one of the three participation scholarships awarded by the Forum Recht Support Association for the 2026 study trip.

I acknowledge that there is no legal entitlement to be awarded a scholarship. Should I be selected, I agree that my name and my institution may be publicly mentioned in connection with the study trip. I agree to write a brief report for the Friends of the Forum Recht Foundation following my participation in the study trip, which the Foundation may use for internal and external communications.

Scholarship Application Letter (at least 200 words)

Additional Information

Accommodation Preferences(Required)

Standard: Double room or, if possible, twin room, including breakfast (Room assignments are made by the foundation.)

Single room, including breakfast, for an additional charge of 885.00 EUR

I do NOT need a place to stay in Karlsruhe (Oct. 17–18, 2026) — discount of 128.00 EUR

Additional information, if applicable

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