In mid-February 2025, the Egyptian Public Prosecutor General’s Office invited a delegation of 40 students of the University of Vienna, the British Norhumbria University as well as the German University in Cairo to a study visit to Cairo. Our Scientific Director and Professor of Fundamental and Human Rights at the University of Vienna, Michael Lysander Fremuth, supervised the Viennese students.

The aim of the trip was to give the students an understanding of the Egyptian legal system, which serves as a benchmark in the Arab world. In particular, interesting insights into criminal law and court proceedings were provided. The agenda also included relevant specialist presentations and discussions with high-ranking politicians on current national and global issues and challenges. Furthermore, the students were given the opportunity to exchange ideas with participants from other cultures and legal traditions. The prospective lawyers were able to take home a variety of enriching cultural experiences.

At a ceremony in Egypt, Michael Lysander Fremuth emphasised the importance of intercultural exchange and cooperation in solving urgent problems of transnational nature. In his opinion, it is not about negating or levelling out differences, but rather about listening to each other and argue respectfully. The aim should be to identify common values and ideas on the basis of which concerted action is possible. The hope rests in particular on the young generation. ‘Bringing them together was one of the central aims of this study visit,’ says Fremuth. He is also pleased that lecturers from Egypt are teaching in the Human Rights Master’s programme of the University of Vienna, which contributes to a better understanding of international human rights protection for students.

You will find more detailed insights into the study visit in the travel report in the download section.

You can find the Ceremonial Speech by Michael Lysander Fremuth here on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/E1ZDezI6gXw