Law Faculties of the University of São Paulo and the University of Münster hold the 2nd Joint Workshop

Back row, from left to right: Prof. Dr Gerard Mäsch, Prof. Dr James Fowkes, Prof. Dr Michaela Hailbronner, Prof. Dr Ronaldo Macedo Junior, Prof. Dr Niels Petersen, Prof. Dr Stefanie Kemme, and Prof. Dr Luis Fernando Massoneto. Front row, from left to right: Prof. Dr Virgílio Afonso da Silva, Prof. Dr Juliana Kruger Pela, Prof. Dr Helena Regina Lobo da Costa, Prof. Dr Alberto Amaral, Prof. Dr Nils Jansen, and Prof. Dr Oliver Lepsius.
© Brazil Centre

On 20 and 21 August 2025, the Faculty of Law at the University of São Paulo welcomed professors from the University of Münster for the second edition of their joint workshops, this time held in Brazil. The event, entitled “Interinstitutional Seminar – A Dialogue between Brazil and Germany on Relevant Issues of Contemporary Law”, offered a valuable opportunity for representatives from both faculties to present their current research projects, with the aim of identifying new topics for collaboration and strengthening the existing cooperation between the two institutions.

The two-day programme was open to law researchers from USP and other universities in São Paulo, fostering an environment for exchanging ideas and experiences.

On the Brazilian side, Professors Alberto Amaral, Ana Nusdeo, Helena Regina Lobo da Costa, Juliana Krueger Pela, Luís Fernando Massoneto, Ronaldo Porto Macedo Júnior, and Virgílio Afonso da Silva discussed a wide range of relevant topics, including the role of the Brazilian State and the implementation of climate policies, competition law and environmental protection, Wittgenstein’s contribution to law, equality beyond socio-economic rights, and the defence of democracy within the context of criminal law.

From Münster, Professors Gerard Mäsch, James Fowkes, Michaela Hailbronner, Niels Petersen, Nils Jansen, Oliver Lepsius, and Stephanie Kemme presented research on the political fragmentation of the European Parliament, global customary law, the political function of constitutional jurisprudence in Germany, focus group studies on hostility and prejudice within the German police force, democratic backsliding and the legitimacy of outcomes, among other topics.

To conclude the week’s activities, on 22 August part of Münster’s law delegation visited the German Centre for Research and Innovation São Paulo (DWIH-SP), which also hosts the Liaison Office of the Brazil Centre of the University of Münster. During the meeting, the professors reflected on the activities carried out in Brazil, while colleagues from German institutions present at DWIH-SP shared various funding opportunities to strengthen research cooperation between Brazil and Germany, and debated the challenges faced by the current Brazilian and German scientific landscape.

We extend our sincere thanks to all those involved in the organisation and in the activities in São Paulo!

Law Faculties of the University of São Paulo and the University of Münster hold the 2nd Joint Workshop

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