East German perspectives on 75 years of the Basic Law – Discussion at the European University Viadrina

In May 2024, the Basic Law will celebrate its 75th birthday – but what support does it have in East Germany? The European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) invites you to a discussion entitled "75 years of the Basic Law and a non-event" on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:15 p.m. Among other things, it will address the question of why it was not possible to agree on an all-German constitution after 1989.

The event is part of a campus tour organized by the Gesellschaft für Freiheitsrechte (GFF) to draw attention to the anniversary of the Basic Law. Interested parties are cordially invited to take part in the discussion in the Viadrina Senate Hall, Room 109 in the main building, Große Scharrnstraße 59.

Among other things, the questions of whether legal strategies in Brandenburg can enforce better protection of fundamental rights and what is often overlooked in discussions on fundamental rights from an East German perspective will be discussed:

• Dr. John Philipp Thurn, member of the board of the GFF and judge at the Berlin Social Court
• Prof. Dr. Kerstin Brückweh, Professor of Historical Urban and Spatial Research at the Viadrina, head of the research focus "Contemporary History and Archive" at the Leibniz Institute for Spatial Social Research, Erkner and editor of the book "Die Wiederbelebung eines "Nicht-Ereignisses"? Das Grundgesetz und die Verfassungsdebatten von 1989 bis 1994"
• Prof. Dr. Jan Thiessen, Professor of Civil Law, Contemporary Legal History and the History of Economic Law, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
• Katarzyna Witoszek, Trade Union Secretary

Moderated by Viadrina labour law expert Prof. Dr. Eva Kocher, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Labour Law Studies.

When and where?

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 | 6.15 p.m.
Senate Hall of the Viadrina, Room 109 in the main building 
Große Scharrnstraße 59, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)

After the event, there will be the opportunity for further exchange over a small snack.