UpRight – Solidarity in times of authoritarianism
INVITATION
Juridical-political congress of the RAV from June 13th – 15th in Leipzig
After our “Rights-for-All” congress in 2023 we will get together once more for the “UpRight” congress in 2025!
Again in Leipzig, again with a fully packed and wide-ranging program and, of course, again with a party on Saturday! And also with a little bit more time for networking and exchange – by extending the congress until Sunday.
Conditions have not improved since 2023.
Democracy and the rule of law are under massive pressure, and that’s not only the case in Germany. Authoritarian and right-wing extremist attacks on our society based on solidarity continue to increase everywhere. In our daily work, we as lawyers are very aware of the effects of policies that incite hatred against marginalized groups, such as migrants, women and trans people. We see the concrete results that racist debates on migration and asylum have on our clients. We represent people who are subject to state prosecution as anti-fascists, or who have to live in constant fear in “nationally liberated zones”. We also deal with people who are exposed to anti-feminist violence or who are persecuted as members of sexual minorities. However, the authoritarian escalation does not only affect particularly vulnerable and marginalized people.The current crisis in capitalist societies also reveals itself in other areas. Social rights are coming under severe pressure, colleagues are increasingly representing people who are acutely affected by homelessness and the fight for workers‘ rights is essentially being reduced to a meek defensive battle in court.
Our daily view into this abyss must not make us fall into a fear-ridden passivity. On a long weekend together, we want to find ways out of isolation and despondency. We also want to self-critically reflect on our own role: Where do we stand in our own way? Why can’t we always join forces and stand up against the attacks together? It is, after all, more important than ever to present our emancipatory legal battles in all their diversity.
The “UpRight” congress aims to build on our experiences from 2023. This time, too, we will do much more than just sharing knowledge. We want to provide ourselves with inspiration in difficult times and find out how we can use our knowledge as lawyers to stand alongside social movements and support them. How we can fight together for the proactive defense of human rights and democratic participation. Fear is not an option („Bange machen gilt nicht“, translated quote from Adorno)
What exactly can you expect?
After the kick-off on Friday evening, we want to highlight current legal battles for justice, the access to justice, as well as reflect on our roles, alliances and networks in joint struggles in a total of 24 interactive workshops and discussion formats on Saturday.
The workshops and panels will be offered jointly by critical lawyers from various fields of work, legal activists and civil society actors.
Afterwards, there will be a fun party at Conne Island on Saturday evening.
On Sunday, we will say good-bye whilst closing the circle in another larger discussion.
Sounds good? Scroll below for more information on the program and on how to register.
The congress is organized by the Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein e.V. (RAV) and the Werner Holtfort Foundation. We would like to thank the Leipziger Strafverteidiger e.V. for their support.
Exclusion clause:
In accordance with Section 21 (1) SächsVersG, persons who belong to right-wing extremist parties or organizations – including the AfD -, who belong to the right-wing extremist scene or who have already made racist, nationalist, anti-Semitic or other inhuman statements in the past are excluded from the assembly. We reserve the right to exercise our domiciliary rights.
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PROGRAM
Most of our workshops and events are in German.
However, the award ceremony and opening of the event on Friday evening, June 13th, 7 to 9 p.m. will be held in English. You can see the description here:
https://www.rav-kongress.de/veranstaltung/begruessung/
Friday, June 13th
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Internal qualificational workshops
1 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. Historical Walking Tour: The „Leipziger Meuten“ and against the Nazi Regime (donation based/ in German)
1 p.m. – 2.30 p.m. Historical Walking Tour: Forced labour during the Nazi regime in Lindenau donation based/ in German)
3 p.m. Welcoming and registration
3.30 – 5.30 p.m. Member meeting – RAV members only
5.30 – 7 p.m. Dinner (included in ticket price)
7 – 9 p.m. Opening event and award ceremony (in English!)
Saturday, June 14th
The workshop „Sea Rescue now“ on Saturday, June 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. is the only workshop to be held entirely in English. You can see the workshop description here
You can see the entire schedule on the German version of the website.
Good to know:
12 – 2 p.m. lunch break
4 – 5 pm. coffee/tea break
7 – 9 p.m. dinner
8 p.m. – 3 a.m. Party (at Conne Island)
Sunday, June 15th
10 – 11 a.m. open space – networking
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Closing event of the RAV congress „The role of lawyers in the struggle for a solidary society“
Disclaimer:
This event is hosted by the RAV (Republikanischer Anwältinnen- und Anwälteverein) and the Werner-Holtfort-Foundation. We thank the Leipziger Strafverteidiger e.V. for their support.
REGISTRATION
Please register via e-mail to „kongress25@rav.de“ and add the following information:
– First and last name
– billing address
– e-mail address
– indication of pricing category
– vegetarian or vegan? (relevant for our order, we will not offer meat)
Please transfer only after you have received the bill and indicate the bill number on your transaction
Pricing categories
- 80 € for students and people without income
- 110 € for legal apprentices (Referendar*innen) and people with little income
- 200 € for RAV members and members of Leipziger Strafverteidiger e.V.
- 250 € general contribution
- 300 € soli ticket (e.g. for people with no or little income)
In case of financial difficulties contribution prices can be reduced, please contact the RAV office.
We have planned a total of 100 places (60/40) for categories 1 and 2 and ask for your understanding for this limitation:
The content of the congress has been planned primarily with RAV members in mind, so that we can facilitate an intensive professional exchange, especially from a lawyer’s perspective. For this reason, the number of students and legal apprentices is limited and our financial planning is also geared towards this.
Registration deadlines
Categories 1. and 2.: Registrations must be received by 7.4.25. Places will be drawn by lottery.
Categories 3-5: Registrations must be received by 16.5.25.
The price includes participation in all events (Friday evening, workshops and panels on Saturday, the evening event on Saturday evening, closing event on Sunday morning).
Also included are the joint dinners on Friday and Saturday, lunch on Saturday, a small breakfast snack on Sunday, as well as the drinks provided. Drinks at the party on Saturday evening are not included.
Cancellations
Note: There is no right of withdrawal for consumers. We will voluntarily grant a cancellation policy:
No cancellation fees will be charged if you cancel by 5.6.25.
Cancellations in the period from 6 – 12.6.25 will be charged half of the participation fee.
If you cancel after 12.6.25 / 15 h, the full price must be paid.
PRACTICAL INFOS
Location
Campus of the Faculty of Sports Science at Leipzig University
Jahnallee 59
04109 Leipzig
How to get there
The campus can be reached from Leipzig main station as follows:
Streetcar line 3 (direction: Knautkleeberg)
Streetcar line 7 (Böhlitz-Ehrenberg)
Streetcar line 15 (in the direction of Miltitz)
Get off after four stops at “Sportforum Süd”, directly in front of the entrance to the campus grounds. The map below illustrates the route to the premises, and there will also be appropriate signage on site to lead you the way.
We look forward to seeing you!
Sleeping place exchange
We are organizing a sleeping place exchange for the congress. Please send us an e-mail to schlafen.kongress@rav.de if you need or can offer a place to sleep.
If you need a place to sleep, we need to know:
– How many people are you?
– Your cell phone number as contact
– If applicable, your needs (animal hair allergies, no cis men, accessibility)
If you offer sleeping accommodation, we need to know
– How many people can you accommodate?
– Do the guests still need sleeping mats/sleeping bags etc.?
– Your cell phone number as a contact
– Whether you can cater to any needs (no pets, no cis men, accessibility)
By registering with the exchange, you expressly agree that we may pass on your data.