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The Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law is a non-profit organization based in Heidelberg that has been operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Max Planck Society since its founding in 2013 [1][2]. Its core mission is to provide targeted support to state institutions in countries undergoing profound political upheaval through legal advice and capacity building. The focus is particularly on countries seeking to reorganize their legal systems after civil wars, radical constitutional changes, or in the context of new foundations (e.g. South Sudan) [5][6].
The foundation's range of services comprises two central pillars:
Advice and technical support in the development or revision of constitutions, legislation and institutional reforms.
Training and further education of parliamentarians, judges, ministerial officials, as well as representatives of civil society, lawyers and academics. The further education content covers topics such as constitutional law, international law, human rights and humanitarian international law, legal pluralism, as well as principles of fair trial and legal professionalism [2][5][6].
The foundation combines these practice-oriented projects with in-depth academic research from a comparative perspective in order to further develop theoretical foundations for the promotion of peace and the rule of law [1][2]. Research fields include in particular constitutional developments, anti-corruption measures and the interfaces between national and international law. This is also reflected in the publication of the "Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law" [2].
The Max Planck Foundation pursues the overarching goal of promoting international peace, the rule of law and sustainable state order. It is guided by the values of independence, the rule of law, the protection of human rights and global cooperation. The activities are designed according to the principle of political neutrality and thrive on the professional exchange with local partners on several continents, including Latin America, Asia, the MENA region and Sub-Saharan Africa [1][5][7].
Ecologically and socially sustainable action is also an integral part of the foundation's work, in particular through the promotion of stable states governed by the rule of law and just societies as a prerequisite for long-term peace and sustainable development. Through international cooperation, including with the International Law Association, the foundation is also specifically committed to the transfer of knowledge and experience in a global context [8].
The team consists of internationally experienced lawyers and scientists, under the leadership of the managing directors Johannes Krusemark-Camin (Latin America, Asia) and Dr. Kathrin Maria Scherr (Caucasus, MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa), as well as the honorary chairman Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Wolfrum. In addition to their professional expertise, they rely on innovative project approaches that combine both legal practice and scientific findings [3].
Overall, the Max Planck Foundation combines professional excellence, targeted capacity-building measures and sustainable peace promotion, making an important contribution to strengthening rule-of-law structures in politically fragile contexts worldwide.
