The Project

Sustainable development has become a challenging and inspiring key dimension of European integration. It is a particular concern for future generations and its continued implementation counts on qualified academics as professionals and active members of society. To that end, the Chair shall equip students and young researchers with the indispensable in-depth and up-to-date knowledge in European studies.

European studies have to respond to these needs by assessing EU law and policy in the light of sustainable development, to address the accompanying “constitutional” questions as to legitimacy, participation and fundamental rights, and to analyze the interplay between the EU’s internal and external action and multilevel sustainability governance.

The Jean Monnet Chair started its work in 2018. It conducts different acitivities to improve the understanding of European issues. The activities of the Chair are structured into four main components: teaching, research, deliverables and events .

Existing lectures and seminars of the Department of International Economic and Environmental Law are substantially refurbished. The Chair introduces innovative new methodologies, tools and technologies. It develops and uses e-learning courses, engages students in debate by help of mock dispute settlement and negotiations and promotes to “European exposure” by taking them to European Universities and institutions for joint seminars.

A writing school makes seminar students, PhD candidates and researchers experts in electronic publishing and academic writing and enables them to publish lessons learned in teaching activities. Summer schools will bring together students, professionals and representatives of civil society. As an integral concluding part of such schools, public conferences stimulate discussion among decision-makers and representatives of the civil society, the private sector and the media. New academic activities include an annual conference, book publications and a Jean Monnet Papers series.

The Chair is located at the Department of International Economic and Environmental Law within the Institute of International and European Law as part of Göttingen University's Faculty of Law.

The Jean Monnet Chair ended its work in February 2022.