Workshop zur Deutsch-Französischen Zusammenarbeit
Dialogue workshop to strengthen Franco-German cooperation under the patronage of the French Ambassador
Organised by Alumni & Friends of the University of Würzburg e.V. and the University of Würzburg Community, in cooperation with the University of Caen Normandy, under the patronage of the French Ambassador, François Delattre
« L'Europe et en son sein, le couple franco-allemand se trouvent investis de cette obligation de ne pas laisser le monde glisser dans le chaos et de l'accompagner sur le chemin de la paix » (President Macron, 18 November 2018)
The Franco-German friendship has proved to be an impressive model of success. It has made Germany and France lasting partners and friends following devastating wars. Over the past decades, the close cooperation between the two nations has developed into a powerful driving force for Europe. Yet for some time now, this driving force has been lacking in momentum. This is all the more worrying given that Europe is currently facing particularly significant challenges due to political developments in China and the USA, as well as armed conflicts in its immediate neighbourhood. With our Franco-German Dialogue Forum, we therefore aim to provide impetus for a revival and consolidation of cooperation between Germany and France.
The event aims to bring together leading German and French academics, students and the interested public for dialogue and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. It is embedded within the vibrant cooperation network between the University of Würzburg and the Université de Caen, as well as other French partner universities. The forum is designed to facilitate active discussion between students, alumni and academics, as well as the interested public. Three thematic focal points are planned (defence policy, the future of democracy, artificial intelligence), which are of particular relevance to both countries.
The academic programme will be enriched by interdisciplinary discussions, cultural events and workshops. These activities are intended to deepen the intellectual and emotional bonds between participants and promote a better understanding of German and French culture.
To promote direct Franco-German exchange, the Forum will form tandems between citizens, students, alumni and lecturers, which will be presented in a gallery on the Forum’s website. A follow-up forum in Caen will continue the dialogue on further key topics. Parts of the programme are organised and run by tandem partners.
You are warmly invited to join the programme!
You can take part in individual events or the entire programme.
Thursday, 8 May 2025 – Get-together and warm-up
Schelling Forum, Klinikstraße 3, 97070 Würzburg
7 pm ‘Getting to know each other and short presentations’ “What kind of Europe do I want and how can Franco-German cooperation contribute to this?”
• Professor Doris Fischer, Vice-President for International Affairs and Alumni at the University of Würzburg
• Prof. Dr Eric Leroy du Cardonnoy, Vice-President for International Affairs at the University of Caen
• Martin Heilig, Deputy Mayor of the City of Würzburg and alumnus,
• Dr Lars Lehmann, Schelling Forum
• Dr Emmanuelle Delille, Attaché for Science and University Cooperation for Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg
• Students from Germany and France
Friday, 9 May 2025 – The practical and political dimensions of Franco-German cooperation
Schelling Forum, Klinikstraße 3, 97070 Würzburg
9.30 am: Introduction: ‘Challenges and opportunities in cooperation: The European Economic Code, experiences in Franco-German cooperation (within the framework of the Association Henri Capitant), followed by a joint exchange of experiences’
• Professor Dr Christoph Teichmann, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Würzburg
10.15 am: “Working in Germany and France: What makes the difference?
• Alumna Kerstin Schleifnik, Senior Business Expert at Commerzbank AG and University of Würzburg alumna,
• Alumna Mathilde Berhault is a Senior Consultant at D2 – Diversity Think Tank, Würzburg
11.00 am Networking with coffee and biscuits
11.30 am ‘Foreign language acquisition in France and Germany – review and prospects’
• Dr Hildegard Haberl, Head of the Institute of German Studies at the University of Caen Normandy
• Dr Matthias Erhard, Head of the Professional School of Education, University of Würzburg
(Prof. Dr Esme Winter-Froemel and Prof. Dr Matthias Hausmann)
Following the presentations, there will be an exchange of experiences and ideas for the further development of teaching.
1.00 pm: Networking lunch at the Schelling Forum
2 pm: Networking walk from the Schelling Forum to the Hubland Campus, organised and prepared by Erasmus students Elissa Haouas and Anna Traurig (German Studies, Würzburg)
2.30 pm Visit to the Jean Paul Archive (presentation of an autograph by the philosopher Jean Paul); led by: Prof. Dr Barbara Hunfeld & team
3.30 pm Guided tour of the Centre for Philology and Digitality by Anna Traurig, research assistant at the Chair of Modern German Literature and Intellectual History
5–6.30 pm Return to the city
7.00 pm: Keynote address by Dr Theo Waigel (former Federal Minister of Finance and alumnus of the University of Würzburg), moderated by Prof. Dr Peter Bofinger, followed by a discussion with members of the public, students, alumni and academics from both universities
Saturday, 10 May 2025 – Day of Inspiration: Reflection, Discussion and Vision – History and Future
Schelling Forum, Klinikstraße 3, 97070 Würzburg
9.30 am Prof. Dr Michaela Fenske, Chair of Ethnology/Empirical Cultural Studies, University of Würzburg, France in the field post letters of the Würzburg officer Hans Schmidt (1870/71). From the work of the reading group ‘Historical Personal Accounts for Citizens and Students’
10.00 Funding opportunities and PhD support:
• Axel Honsdorf, Funding opportunities in the Bavarian-French context, BayFrance, Munich
• Dr Stephan Schröder-Köhne, Director of the Graduate School at the University of Würzburg
10.15 am Keynote address by Vice-President Prof. Dr Eric Leroy du Cardonnoy, Vice-President for International Development, University of Caen Normandy, Chair of the 12th Section of the CNU, Professor of Literature and Civilisation of German-speaking Countries (19th–20th Centuries), “The Congress of Vienna (1814–1815): Negotiating Peace in Europe. An Inspiration for Today and Tomorrow?”
11.00 am Prof. Dr Thomas Hippler, Modern History, University of Caen, research project on the conceptual history of peace at European and global levels, title tba
12 noon Keynote address by Prof. Dr Peter Bofinger, Senior Professor of Economics, Money and International Economic Relations, University of Würzburg, Chair of Alumni & Friends at the University of Würzburg, ‘Where is Europe heading?’
1 pm Networking – Lunch
2 pm: Guided tour of the city by Anna Traurig, research assistant at the Chair of Modern German Literature and Intellectual History with a focus on Romanticism
4 pm: Guided tour of the picture gallery at the Martin von Wagner Museum of the University of Würzburg, focusing on works relating to Franco-German conflicts, collaboration and cooperation to stimulate further discussion.
5.30 pm: Walk with an AI-inspired tour led by Professor Marc Latoschik’s department to the Würzburger Stein, including stops at the Welcome Centre and the Graduate School
Sunday, 11 May 2025 – Spring International
Schelling Forum, Klinikstraße 3, 97070 Würzburg
11.00 am Sharing experiences and exchanging ideas for the future
Around 12 noon Visit to the Würzburg Spring International Festival (inspired by Europe Day)
Participation in the festivities, networking and collaboration with the City of Würzburg International Office (Katja Schröder and Julia Wintzheimer) and representatives of the German-French Society (Britta Habersack)
Afternoon: Departure
We would like to thank the following for their kind support:
• Universitätsbund Würzburg e.V.
• German-French Citizens’ Fund
• Franco-German Youth Office
