The Walter Hallstein Institute for European Constitutional Law at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin (HU) invites you to the Humboldt Speech on Europe with the President of the European Court of Justice, Prof Dr Koen Lenaerts. The title of his speech is "Citizenship in Motion: Striking the balance between Union and Nation". The speech will take place on Friday, 30 January 2026, at 1 p.m. in the Senate Hall of Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin.
Koen Lenaerts
Prof Dr Koen Lenaerts has been the President of the European Court of Justice since October 2015. Born in Belgium in 1954, he first studied law in Leuven and later completed a Master of Laws and a Master of Public Administrations at Harvard. After obtaining his doctorate in 1982, he became Professor of European Law in 1983. In addition to teaching at the College of Europe in Bruges and as a visiting professor at Harvard, Lenaerts began working as a law clerk at the European Court of Justice in 1984. After a brief period as a lawyer, he became a judge at the First Court in 1989 and a judge at the European Court of Justice in 2003, where he first served as President of the Chamber from 2006 and then as Vice-President of the Court from 2012, before being elected President of the Court in 2015.
At a glance
When: Friday, 30 January 2026, 1 p.m.
Where: Main building of Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10117 Berlin, Senate Hall
Programme and registration
Participation in presence is no longer possible. The event is fully booked.
Admission begins at 12.30 pm. Please note that no visitors will be admitted to the room after 12.55 pm. After the lecture, the audience will have the opportunity to discuss with Prof Dr Koen Lenaerts. The speech will be held in English.
About the Humboldt Speeches on Europe
Heads of state and government as well as high-ranking players in the judiciary and executive are invited to speak at the Humboldt Speeches on Europe. The event series is sponsored by Stiftung Mercator and organised by the Walter Hallstein Institute.
Information for representatives of the press
Seats have been reserved for representatives of the press.
Pleaseregister by 25 January 2026 at: pr? Please insert an @ at this point ?hu-berlin? Please insert a period at this pointde.
Please note: As places in the event room are limited, you will receive a confirmation of registration after your registration if you can attend the event in person. Please have your press card ready at the entrance. Your equipment may be subjected to a brief security check. Please note that we will exercise our domiciliary rights if you do not comply with our instructions.