26th February 2021:
Local Communities
Online Workshop of the
Jean Monet Chair EUKom
Takers and Shapers of the EU Decision Making Process
The event will be kicked off by a quick introduction by Prof. Dr. Joachim Beck, rector of the Kehl University.
Prof. Dr. Eppler will present her research on the EU Multi- Level System and the role of local communities
and the guidingquestions of the workshop.
The main guiding questions for the online Workshop include:
-
What position do municipalities have in the respective national system?
-
What role do municipalities play in the implementation of legislation initiated by the European level?
-
What changes result for municipalities from their integration into the EU system?
-
Do municipalities set up their own EU departments and, if so, where in the municipal administration?
-
Do municipalities become active in EU affairs on their own initiative?
-
Do municipalities raise EU funds and if so, in which areas?
-
Do municipalities maintain (joint) offices in Brussels in order to exert influence?
-
What possibilities do municipalities have nationally to influence the EU policy of the member state?
-
How do municipalities network with each other (across national borders)?
20th September 2019:
3rd Jean Monnet Seminar
Grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit nach
dem Aachener Vertrag
Territoriale Entwicklungssteuerung im Kontext
rechtlich-institutioneller Flexibilisierung
Coopération transfrontalière après le Traité d'Aix-la-Chapelle
Gestion du développement territorial dans un contexte
de flexibilisation institutionnelle et juridique
Centre d'excellence Jean Monnet Franco-Allemand, Hochschule Kehl
16th May 2019:
Yours is my Heart - Europe
Theater play & panel discussion
Prof. Dr. Beck, rector of the university welcomed the numerous spectators, including many interested students and citizens of Kehl. Prof. Dr. Eppler introduced the event with thoughts on the upcoming election of the European Parliament and described its importance in the context of the development of the European Union. Then she welcomed the actors and left the stage to them
In the following play "Dein ist mein Herz - Europa" ("Yours is my heart - Europe") by the ensemble "Dein Theater" from Stuttgart, the tyrant king's daughter Europa, after whom the continent is named, takes the floor herself. The multilingual mother of three sons comments on current political debates with female intelligence, humor and foresight. Kalliope, the muse of science, philosophy and string playing, also gets her turn, presenting the musical diversity of a unique continent in a mashup of various languages.
The subsequent panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Eppler, between Prof. Dr. Larat from the École Nationale d'Administration Strasbourg, Dr. Zoller, Ministry of Justice and Europe Baden-Württemberg, Felix Kolb from the political department of the university and Uwe Fromm for the JEF Kehl was focused in particular on the following questions: Why is the 2019 European election of great importance to us? Why should we vote? The future of Europe and the growing importance of the Parliament were also topics of discussion.
Impressions:
"Dein ist mein Herz
- Europa"
25th October 2018
Jean Monnet Kick-Off
Inaugural Lecture and Panel Discussion
A lecture by Dr. Eppler followed by a discussion round heralded the award of the Jean Monnet Chair to her at the University of Public Administration in Kehl.
Prof. Dr. Witt, then rector of the university, acknowledged in his welcome to the audience the importance of the chair for the research location at the German-French border.
The following lecture by Dr. Eppler, who was awarded the Jean Monnet Chair in 2018, was also her inaugural lecture at Kehler University. Previously, Eppler conducted research in Insbruck, among other places, where she also completed her habilitation. In her lecture, she described the rule of law mechanisms of the EU and the development of an EU multi-level rule of law system.
She also spoke about the role of the municipal level in this system. She also critically examined the developments in individual member states that are scaling back their rule of law systems and the measures taken by the EU to protect the rule of law system.
This was followed by a panel discussion on the topic of future challenges facing the EU. Participating in this were:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Maurer (University of Innsbruck), Prof. Dr. Oliver Schlumberger (University of Tübingen), Dr. Doris Dialer
(then Head of Office in the European Parliament ), the Vice President of the European Parliament, Rainer Wieland MEP, as well as Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler and Prof. Dr. Andreas Pattar (University of Kehl).
The audience - about 350 interested listeners from the Kehler students, civil society as well as EU experts from Kehl and Strasbourg listened intently and had the opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Thus, they were also able to participate in the discussion.
The discussions continued afterwards at a champagne reception in the foyer of the university.
Conferences & Workshops
3rd June 2025 // Hybrid Workshop
„Internal Border Regions – Motors of European Integration?“
This hybrid event, featuring students and experts from Kehl and Innsbruck Universities, explored European integration through three main formats:
Keynote: Opening address by Rector Prof. Dr. Joachim Beck.
Hybrid Fish-Bowl Discussion: A multi-perspective debate on regional governance and EU integration with representatives from Brussels, Strasbourg, and various research institutes.
Hybrid World Café: Interactive sessions focusing on interparliamentary cooperation, economic interests, cultural drivers, and the legitimacy of cross-border institutions.
The program was moderated by Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler and Tobias Schied, emphasizing the link between academic theory and civil society.
29th Mai 2025 // Discussion
World Café „Funktionen von Grenzen“
Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler (Jean Monnet Chair) and Chiara Pricken, EURIS-Beraterin, Arbeitsamt Freiburg im Breisgau, hosted a "World Café" at Studienhaus Wiesneck (Buchenbach). As part of a trinational summer school, students and professors from Denmark, France, Germany and Poland discussed the personal and political impact of borders.
The 90-minute interactive session focused on four key themes:
-
Historical Resonance: How past events shape current borders and identities.
-
Security & Control: The legitimacy and consequences of border enforcement.
-
Bridges & Connection: Transforming borders into elements of cooperation.
-
Transgression: The social and physical aspects of crossing boundaries.
The event concluded with a plenary discussion on the visionary question: "If you could wish for a border—what would it look like?"
26th Mai 2025 // Discussion
„Local Communities in Ukraine: Status, History, and Current Challenges“
Prof. Dr. Natalia Mishyna is a well-known expert in the field of comparative law and municipal law in Ukraine. She serves as full professor and has been the head of the constitutional department of Odessa Academy of Law. When the Kehl students met her, she was placed at Université de Strasbourg, where she held a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action for Ukraine (MSCA4Ukraine). She also acts as expert within the Council of Europe Programme on Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP). The visit and discussion at Strasbourg university was organized by Prof. Dr. Anngret Eppler Kehl, Prof. Dr. Patrick Terry, Dean of the Law Faculty of Kehl University, and Prof. Dr. Verena Hansch-Hervieux, Université de Strasbourg.
20th Mai 2025 // Excursion & Discussion
The French-German Fireboat on the River Rhine: „EUROPA 1“
An Interreg-funded Franco-German fireboat ensures safety on the Rhine between Kehl and Strasbourg. Previously, fireboats from Basel or Mannheim took up to eight hours to arrive due to numerous locks and weirs. The Interreg III Upper Rhine program enabled the construction of a dedicated vessel, now jointly operated by the Kehl Volunteer Fire Department and the Strasbourg Professional Fire Department.The Interreg project also included training sessions for the binational crew. Students from Kehl University, together with Prof. Dr. Jörg Röber and Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler, discussed with Feuerwehrkommandant Victor Liehr and explored the boat.
15th Mai 2025 // Studium Generale
„Eine neue Bundesregierung in Deutschland – welche Perspektiven für die deutsch-französische Zusammenarbeit in Europa und am Oberrhein?“
Kehl University of Applied Sciences hosted a strategic discussion on Franco-German cross-border cooperation following the German federal elections. The discussion featured Dr. habil. Marie-Christine Aquatias (Sciences Po Strasbourg), Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler (Jean Monnet Chair, HS Kehl), Bernd Mettenleiter (Member of the subnational parliament of Baden-Wuerttemberg (Landtag), GRÜNE, and President of the Upper Rhine Council), Prof. Dr. Birte Wassenberg (Vice-President, University of Strasbourg), and Florian Ziegenbalg (Head of the unit for European Politics (Leiter des Referats Europapolitik), State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg). Participants argued that the Upper Rhine region must function as a "living laboratory" for legal innovation to overcome administrative obstacles, while stressing that future cooperation depends on fostering a shared regional identity and strengthening legal creativity within the European multi-level system.
31th March 2025 // Discussion
„Europa im Fokus: Kommunale Landesverbände und Hochschule
Kehl im Dialog“
EU-Expertinnen der kommunalen Landesverbände Baden-Württembergs diskutieren an der Hochschule Kehl mit Prof. Dr. Joachim Beck, Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler, Prof. Dr. Jörg Röber und Kathrin Schindler über eine engere Verzahnung von Lehre und Praxis. Im Fokus standen der Ausbau europaspezifischer Kompetenzen in der Verwaltung sowie die Integration aktueller Bedarfe in die Lehrangebote der Hochschule Kehl.
Die Veranstaltung legte den Grundstein für eine langfristige Kooperation zur Stärkung der europäischen Handlungsfähigkeit in den Kommunen.
26th June 2024 //Discussion
Hochschule für Kids II:
"Europa und grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit"
On June 26, 2024, Kehl University once again welcomed third-graders from Kehl-Goldscheuer. Accompanied by their principal and teachers, the group was greeted by Prof. Dr. Eppler, Prof. Dr. Röber, and several students. After an introductory Q&A session about the life of a professor, the children enjoyed a shared breakfast before starting a campus scavenger hunt.
Divided into four groups, the students visited various stations, including the press office, the cafeteria, and the International Office. They also had the chance to see the large auditorium and the library, even meeting the University Rector, Prof. Dr. Joachim Beck, by chance. The visit concluded with a mini-lecture on European cooperation, where the children discussed the importance of international neighbors. The highlight of the day was a surprise visit from the university mascot "Öffi," making it an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.
8th June 2024 // World Café
World Café: „Deutsch-Französische Beziehungen“
Studienhaus Wiesneck, Buchenbach, trinational Summer School "Die Zukunft Europas"
The history of Franco-German relations – a history of wars followed by nearly 80 years of peace, characterized by increasing cooperation and openness. This is evident on a large scale, as seen in President Macron’s state visit to Germany in May 2024, but also on a smaller scale, for example here in the border region. The Trinational Summer School in the border area is an excellent place to reflect on Franco-German relations with professors and students from France, Germany and Switzerland. The World Café within the Summer school was organized by Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler, Jean Monnet Chair, Chiara-Sophie Pricken, INFOBEST Vogelgrun-Breisach, and Konstantin Kümmerle, Master student (MEPA) and staff member of the Jean Monnet Chair ELEMENT.
The world café had 4 tables:
-
Franco-German Relations: Personal and Cultural
-
Franco-German Relations: Cross-border Cooperation
-
The “Franco-German Engine” of EU Integration
-
Germany and France Facing Global Challenges
11th April 2024 // Seminar
„Resilience and cross-border assymetry“
Prof. Dr. Annegret EPpler war mit ihrem Jean Monnet Lehrstuhl "ELEMENT" Mitveranstalterin eines internationalen Forschungseminars zu administrativen und rechtlichen Asymmetrien in der grenzüberschreitenden Zusammenarbeit, das im Rahmen des Deutsch-Französischen Jean Monnet Exzellenzzentrums Kehl-Strasbourg an der rechtswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Straßburg stattfand. Nach einer Keynote von Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler diskutierten Michel Deneken, Jeanne-Marie Tuffery-Andrieu, Birte Wassenberg, Joachim Beck, Frédérique Berrod über „Horizontal Governance“ und Resilienz in Grenzregionen. Neben wissenschaftlichen Panels zu rechtlichen Werkzeugen bot die Veranstaltung einen kreativen Zugang zum Thema: Die Grenzen und Asymmetrien wurden unter anderem durch eine Flamenco-Darbietung künstlerisch interpretiert.
24th September 2023 // Borderwalk
Fachprojekt „Grenzräume“ und Erasmus Studierende, Leitung Anne Eppler und Klaus Gras
Already one day before the semester started, on Sunday, 24th of September 2023, a group of students ("Fachprojekt "Grenzräume") explored the boarder area between Strasbourg and Kehl, together with the leaders of the "Fachprojekt", City Guide Klaus Gras and Prof. Anne Eppler, and with new incoming Erasmus students from Türkiye, doing a larg half day stroll in Kehl and Strasbourg and learning about the common history.
28th June 2023 // Discussion
Hochschule für Kids I: Europa und grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit
Around 35 third-grade children from the primary school in Goldscheuer visited Kehl University of Applied Sciences on 28 June 2023, which hosted its first "University for Kids Day" on that day.
The half-day event included a guided tour and rally through the campus and thus a great insight into university life in Kehl. In addition, the children had the opportunity to discuss with Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler and Prof. Dr. Jörg Röber about European integration and the boarder region between France and Germany.
9th May 2023 // Discussion
Public Administration and Energy Change in a Cross-Border Environment
Discussion with Delegation from National Jean Monnet Center of Excellence, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel and Jean Monnet Center of Excellence “EU in Global Dialoque” (CEDI), University of Darmstadt, Germany
26th February 2021 // Online Workshop
Local Communities - Takers and Shapers of the EU Decision Making Process
The event will be kicked off by a quick introduction by Prof. Dr. Joachim Beck, rector of the Kehl University.
Prof. Dr. Eppler will present her research on the EU Multi- Level System and the role of local communities
and the guidingquestions of the workshop.
The main guiding questions for the online Workshop include:
-
What position do municipalities have in the respective national system?
-
What role do municipalities play in the implementation of legislation initiated by the European level?
-
What changes result for municipalities from their integration into the EU system?
-
Do municipalities set up their own EU departments and, if so, where in the municipal administration?
-
Do municipalities become active in EU affairs on their own initiative?
-
Do municipalities raise EU funds and if so, in which areas?
-
Do municipalities maintain (joint) offices in Brussels in order to exert influence?
-
What possibilities do municipalities have nationally to influence the EU policy of the member state?
-
How do municipalities network with each other (across national borders)?
20th September 2019 // 3rd Jean Monnet Seminar
Grenzüberschreitende Zusammenarbeit nach
dem Aachener Vertrag
Coopération transfrontalière après le Traité d'Aix-la-Chapelle
Territoriale Entwicklungssteuerung im Kontext
rechtlich-institutioneller Flexibilisierung
Gestion du développement territorial dans un contexte
de flexibilisation institutionnelle et juridique
Centre d'excellence Jean Monnet Franco-Allemand, Hochschule Kehl
16th May 2019
Theatre play and panel discussion
Yours is my heart - Europe
In cooperation with the Europa Zentrum Baden-Württemberg and the State Ministry of Baden-Württemberg, the Jean Monnet Chair held an information event before the European elections. The event was co-financed by the Federal Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Prof. Dr. Beck, rector of the university, welcomed the numerous spectators, including many interested students and citizens of Kehl. Prof. Dr. habil. Annegret Eppler, Jean Monnet Chair, introduced the event with thoughts on the upcoming election of the European Parliament and described its importance in the context of the development of the European Union. Afterwards, she welcomed the actors and left the stage for them.
In the following play "Dein ist mein Herz - Europa" ("Yours is my heart - Europe") by the ensemble "Dein Theater" from Stuttgart, the tyrant king's daughter Europa, after whom the continent is named, takes the floor herself. The multilingual mother of three sons comments on current political debates with female intelligence, humor and foresight. Kalliope, the muse of science, philosophy and string playing, also gets her turn, presenting the musical diversity of a unique continent in a mashup of various languages.
The subsequent panel discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. habil. Eppler, Jean Monnet Chair. Prof. Dr. Larat from the École Nationale d'Administration Strasbourg, Dr. Zoller, Ministry of Justice and Europe Baden-Württemberg, Felix Kolb from the politics club of the university and Uwe Fromm for the JEF Kehl were debating the following questions: Why is the 2019 European election of great importance to us? Why should we vote? The future of Europe and the growing importance of the Parliament were also topics of discussion.
Impressions:
"Dein ist mein Herz
- Europa"
25th October 2018
Inaugural Lecture and Panel Discussion
Jean Monnet Kick-Off
A lecture by Dr. Eppler followed by a discussion round heralded the award of the Jean Monnet Chair to her at the University of Public Administration in Kehl.
Prof. Dr. Witt, then rector of the university, acknowledged in his welcome to the audience the importance of the chair for the research location at the German-French border.
The following lecture by Dr. Eppler, who was awarded the Jean Monnet Chair in 2018, was also her inaugural lecture at Kehler University. Previously, Eppler conducted research in Insbruck, among other places, where she also completed her habilitation. In her lecture, she described the rule of law mechanisms of the EU and the development of an EU multi-level rule of law system.
She also spoke about the role of the municipal level in this system. She also critically examined the developments in individual member states that are scaling back their rule of law systems and the measures taken by the EU to protect the rule of law system.
This was followed by a panel discussion on the topic of future challenges facing the EU. Participating in this were:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Maurer (University of Innsbruck), Prof. Dr. Oliver Schlumberger (University of Tübingen), Dr. Doris Dialer
(then Head of Office in the European Parliament ), the Vice President of the European Parliament, Rainer Wieland MEP, as well as Prof. Dr. Annegret Eppler and Prof. Dr. Andreas Pattar (University of Kehl).
The audience - about 350 interested listeners from the Kehl students, civil society as well as EU experts from Kehl and Strasbourg listened intently and had the opportunity to ask questions afterwards. Thus, they were also able to participate in the discussion.
The discussions continued afterwards at a champagne reception in the foyer of the university.