Academie voor de Rechtsstaat

The nitrogen crisis, the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis, the childcare benefits scandal: an accumulation of crises is placing democratic institutions under growing pressure. Slowly but surely, we appear to be heading towards a crisis of democracy and the rule of law. To turn the tide, a sound knowledge and understanding of how the rule of law functions is indispensable. This is never solely a question of effective and efficient government. Above all, it is about public administration that upholds the rule of law and is transparent, diligent, legitimate and therefore authoritative.

The Academie voor de Rechtsstaat is a course run by the Montesquieu Institute and the Centre for Professional Learning at Leiden University, offering in-depth knowledge of the founding principles, institutions and processes of democracy and the rule of law. Across seven teaching days, each day places a different principle or institution centre stage. The group of participants consists of professionals in a range of roles within this process: civil servants, administrators, politicians, lawyers and journalists.

Stichting Democratie en Media was involved in developing the journalistic component of the programme. Each edition, we enable five journalists to take part. If journalism is to hold power to account and inform the public, an understanding of our constitutional system is essential. We also believe it is important that the role of journalism in the functioning of democracy and the rule of law is taken seriously by other actors in this field.