On Thursday 28 November, Toulouse Capitole University celebrated Franco-German friendship by welcoming Dieter Grimm, an eminent figure in constitutional law, for a rich day that ended with the award of the prestigious title of Doctor honoris causa by the President of the University, Hugues Kenfack.

The day began with a rich scientific morning co-organised by the IMH and the CTHDIP and attended by renowned legal experts Olivier Beaud, Marta Cartabia, Christoph Grabenwarter, Otto Pfersmann and Michel Troper. Dieter Grimm was then invited to participate in the symbolic planting of a tree in front of the future Rempart building, a lasting tribute to his time in Toulouse.
The day ended with a solemn ceremony at which Dieter Grimm was awarded his title, with speeches by Hugues Kenfack, President of the university, Aurore Gaillet, university professor and specialist in Franco-German public law, and Matthieu Poumarède, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Science.

Dieter Grimm, a leading voice in public law

Dieter Grimm, a leading figure in world constitutional law, is a former judge of the German Federal Constitutional Court and Professor Emeritus of Public Law at Berlin's Humboldt University. Renowned for his international reputation, he has taught at the most prestigious universities, from Yale to Harvard and New York University, as well as in Calcutta, Seoul and Beijing.
Throughout his career, he has been honoured with numerous distinctions, including the Grand Cross with Star and Epaulette of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 1999 and the title of Commandeur de l'Ordre national du Mérite in France in 2004. A member of several renowned academies, including the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences, Dieter Grimm enjoys a special relationship with France, which began in his high school years and is reflected in his scientific work, which strengthens intellectual exchanges between the two countries.
 

By honouring Professor Dieter Grimm today, our university is showing its admiration for a career that embodies the perfect alliance between public commitment and academic excellence.

Hugues Kenfack,  President of Toulouse Capitole University.

 

The close relationship between Germany and Toulouse Capitole University

In February 2023, Toulouse Capitole University and its Faculty of Law celebrated the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Franco-German Friendship Treaty, in the company of Dieter Grimm. By awarding him the title of honorary doctor on 28 November 2024, UT Capitole is once again demonstrating its close collaboration with Germany.

Your career is also emblematic of a beautiful construction, the friendship that has brought together two countries scarred by three terrible wars, two countries that were described as irreducible enemies: the Franco-German friendship.
 

Hugues Kenfack, President of  Toulouse Capitole University.

This founding friendship of Europe plays an essential role in the range of courses and research offered at UT Capitole. The European School of Law (ESL) offers three international double degrees with links to Germany:
 

• Bachelor of Law - Certificate in German Law (University of Passau)
• Bachelor of Law - Certificate in German Law (University of Mannheim)
• Bachelor of Law - LL.B. Bachelor im Deutschen und Französischen Recht

  As a member of the ENGAGE.EU alliance, of which the University of Mannheim is the coordinator, UT Capitole shares its European values and is developing numerous collaborations with Germany, such as Expedition Week for students and Think Tanks on various themes for lecturers and researchers.

I would like to take advantage of the honour you have conferred on me with this honorary doctorate to emphasise the role of our university community and the importance of the links between France and Germany in Europe. It is also these links, and the commitment of our students, the commitment of the academics and universities working alongside them, that enable us to look to the future together.

Dieter Grimm

Several lecturers at the Faculty of Law are involved in Franco-German links: Aurore Gaillet, Quentin Guiguet-Schiele, Zoe Jacquemin, Grégory Kalflèche, Sébastien Ranc, Lukas Rass-Masson.