WIR IST PLURAL competition

On the occasion of the Federal Constitutional Court’s 70th anniversary, the Federal Agency for Civic Education advertised the nationwide WIR IST PLURAL Award 2021 aimed at strengthening democracy. Awards were handed out to the 15 most original projects dealing with the key question “How are you actively engaged in promoting the democratic values of the Basic Law?”. Justice Dr. Sibylle Kessal-Wulf sat on the jury and gave the laudatory speech at the online award ceremony on 12 November 2021.

Further information on this competition is provided on the website of the WIR IST PLURAL competition.

School competition

In 2021, the Federal Constitutional Court also participated in the annual school competition organised by the Federal Agency for Civic Education.
The special school assignment “Protect the Basic Law! - a case for the Federal Constitutional Court” allowed pupils in grades 8 to 12 to do project work in school and learn about the Federal Constitutional Court, its case-law and fundamental rights. In addition to the competition award, there was a special award for this assignment – a three-day class excursion to Karlsruhe including a visit of and a talk at the Federal Constitutional Court. Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court Prof. Dr. Susanne Baer, LL.M. (Michigan) was a member of the jury and participated in selecting the winner.

You can find further information on the competition’s homepage.

bpb:forum digital SPEZIAL

Furthermore, five Justices of the Federal Constitutional Court gave online interviews on subjects like human dignity, online hate speech, asylum and Europe as part of the event “forum digital SPEZIAL”.

Dates:

o   2 June, 6:00 p.m.: “How do you protect human dignity, Prof. Dr. Baer? – a discussion with Prof. Dr. Dr. Udo di Fabio, hosted by Gigi Deppe -> video recording

o   14 June, 5:00 p.m.: “Where does discrimination start, Prof. Dr. Langenfeld?” – a discussion with Diana Kinnert, hosted by Kerstin Anabah -> video recording

o   4 August, 6:00 p.m.: “Who is granted asylum in Germany, Dr. Maidowski?” – a discussion with Prof. Dr. Petra Bendel, hosted by Klaus Hempel -> video recording

o   8 September, 6:00 p.m.: “Are there limits to what can be said (online), Prof. Dr. Härtel?” - a discussion with Josephine Ballon from Hate Aid, hosted by Claudia Kornmeier video recording

o   21 September, 6:00 p.m.: “How do things stand with the protection of fundamental rights in Europe, Prof. Dr. Harbarth?” – a discussion with Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Dr. h.c. Angelika Nußberger, hosted by Kolja Schwartz video recording

A lesson in political studies

The Federal Constitutional Court also participated in a livestream format designed for pupils of senior grades and early-stage students. Justice of the Federal Constitutional Court Prof. Dr. Wallrabenstein addressed the question “What is the role of the Federal Constitutional Court (and what lies ahead)?” on 17 September 2021. The lesson in political studies was presented by Daniel Kraft, Head of the Press Office and the Communications Department of the Federal Agency for Civic Education. A live audience was able to ask questions via Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. video recording