Memory and Law School – Past Editions Summary | Mieroszewski Centre

The summer school "Who’s Afraid of International Law?", organized by the Mieroszewski Centre, took place from 25 to 30 August 2024 in the Masurian Lake District.

The event gathered participants from Poland, EU countries, and Eastern Europe — individuals interested in history, international law, and memory politics.

During the intensive program, participants had the opportunity to attend lectures by distinguished experts, including Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, Dr. Tomasz Lachowski, Dr. Mateusz Piątkowski, Dr. Karolina Wierczyńska, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Rafał Tarnogórski, and Dr. Ernest Wyciszkiewicz.

Topics discussed included the role of international law in history, the limits of law during war and peace, accountability for the crime of aggression, the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine for international law, and the future of the international order.

The program combined lectures, workshops, simulation exercises, and networking activities — participants also enjoyed bike tours and canoeing trips through the scenic landscapes of Masuria.

"Who’s Afraid of International Law?" was a unique summer school experience, combining theory and practice. It enabled participants to deepen their knowledge of international law, its importance in the analysis of historical and contemporary conflicts, and to build networks among young scholars from Central and Eastern Europe.

The school was part of the "Memory and Law" series organized by the Mieroszewski Centre.

The international summer school “Russia's war with Ukraine - a test for international law”, organised by the Mieroszewski Centre, took place from 27 August to 1 September 2023 in the Masurian Lake District.

The event was attended by young scholars and researchers from Belarus, Georgia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine - people interested in history, international law and the politics of memory.

The programme of the school included intensive lectures and workshops conducted by eminent experts: Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, Dr Agata Kleczkowska, Dr Karolina Wierczyńska, Dr Łukasz Adamski, Dr Tomasz Lachowski, Dr Mateusz Piątkowski, Rafał Tarnogórski and Dr Ernest Wyciszkiewicz. Anton Korynewycz, a specialist in international law, was also a special guest in the online format.

During the course, participants explored, among other things:

• the consequences of ignoring international law in world politics,
• principles of responsibility of states and individuals for violations of law,
• the use of international law in the context of Russia's war against Ukraine,
• prohibitions on the conduct of hostilities, including the use of prohibited weapons,
• the role of the International Criminal Court and the challenges of prosecuting crimes of aggression,
• the importance of international law in transitional justice processes.

The programme also included a simulation workshop on assessing the effectiveness of international law, as well as team-building activities: bicycle excursions and canoeing in the beautiful Mazury region.

The summer school was a unique opportunity to acquire practical and theoretical knowledge, as well as to build networks among young researchers from Central and Eastern Europe sharing the common experience of a difficult history.

The school was part of the “Memory and Law” series organised by the Mieroszewski Centre.

The international summer school 'Crime and Punishment: Responsibility for Violations of the Law of War', organised by the Mieroszewski Centre, took place from 28 August to 3 September 2022 in Pisz, Masuria.

The event brought together young scholars from Central and Eastern Europe with an interest in international law, history and the politics of memory.
During the intensive week-long programme, participants attended lectures and workshops conducted by eminent specialists, including Prof. Władysław Czaplinski, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, Dr. Karolina Wierczyńska, Dr. Tomasz Lachowski, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Prof. Klaus Bachmann, Dr. Łukasz Kamiński, Dr. Paweł Ukielski, Dr. Kaja Kowalczewska, Rafał Tarnogórski and Dr. Ernest Wyciszkiewicz.

The main issues discussed during the summer school included:

• the origins of armed conflicts in the light of international law,
• the responsibility of states and leaders for starting a war,
• the role of the International Criminal Court and international justice in punishing war crimes,
• the limits of human rights protection during armed conflicts,
• the challenges for humanitarian law related to new technologies and autonomous weapons,
• the memory of war crimes and their commemoration in the public space.

The programme included both theoretical lectures and practical workshops - such as on Russia's policy of denialism towards violations of international law or ways of commemorating mass crimes in museums.

In addition, participants had the opportunity to take part in team-building activities such as canoeing and cycling trips through the picturesque Mazurian countryside.

The school was part of the “Memory and Law” series organised by the Mieroszewski Centre, which aims to reflect on the place of international law in the study and interpretation of historical events.

The international summer school "Law of War and Law of Peace: About International Law in Historical Research" took place from 29 August to 3 September 2021 in the Masurian Lake District.

The event gathered young researchers from Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on the intersection between historical research and the development of international law.

Participants attended lectures and workshops led by outstanding experts such as Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, Dr. Agata Kleczkowska, Dr. Igor Gretski, Prof. Georgiy Kasyanov, Prof. Klaus Bachmann, and Prof. Christopher Coker (online).

Key topics included:

• foundations of the law of war and law of peace,
• the historical responsibility for initiating wars,
• the influence of memory politics related to World War II in Russia and Europe,
• manipulation of historical narratives by states,
• challenges for international humanitarian law in the context of modern and future wars.

The program also featured case studies, simulations, and debates, encouraging critical analysis of the interaction between law, politics, and collective memory.

Participants enjoyed integration activities such as canoeing trips, bike tours, and evening discussion sessions.

The school continued the "Memory and Law" series, fostering interdisciplinary perspectives on the role of international law in historical interpretation.

The international summer school "The Second World War on Trial: Perspectives of International Law and Historical Research" was held from 30 August to 5 September 2020 in the Masurian Lake District.

The event gathered young researchers from Central and Eastern Europe interested in international law, World War II history, and memory politics.

The program included lectures and workshops by prominent experts such as Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Dr. Patrycja Grzebyk, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Dr. Igor Gretskiy, Dr. Andrzej Jakubowski, Dr. Paweł Ukielski, Dr. Aleksandra Gliszczyńska-Grabias, Prof. Klaus Bachmann, Dr. Ivan Kurilla (online), and Dr. Łukasz Kamiński.

Key topics included:

• the influence of World War II on the development of international law,
• the legal responsibility of states and individuals for the consequences of war,
• the legal analysis of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and its contemporary interpretations in Russia,
• looting and destruction of cultural heritage during the war and issues of restitution,
• comparisons of Stalinism and Nazism in legal and historical contexts,
• memory politics concerning World War II,
• reflections on collective responsibility and historical narratives shaping contemporary societies.

The program combined theoretical lectures, practical workshops, and discussions. Participants also engaged in integration activities such as canoeing trips and communal dinners in the scenic landscapes of Masuria.

The school continued the "Memory and Law" series, examining the interplay between history, international law, and collective memory.

The international summer school "Real and Phantom Borders – Crossing the Boundaries of History, Memory and International Law" took place from 1–7 September 2019 in the Masurian Lake District.

The event brought together young researchers from Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on borders — geographical, political, and symbolic — and their impact on history, international law, and collective memory.

Participants attended lectures, workshops, and practical activities led by leading experts such as Dr. Karolina Wierczyńska, Dr. Igor Gretski, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Dr. Ernest Wyciszkiewicz, Dr. Dino Kristiotis, Prof. Georgiy Kasyanov, Dr. Patrycja Sasnal, Dr. Rafał Tarnogórski, Prof. Klaus Bachmann, and Dr. Łukasz Jasina.

Main topics explored included:

• the role of borders in international law,
• relations between states, empires, and boundaries,
• the concept of spheres of influence,
• national and cultural borders,
• the consequences of arbitrary borders in the Middle East,
• the existence of stateless nations and the legality of separatist movements,
• "phantom borders" and their ongoing impact on societies.

The program featured simulation exercises, such as redrawing historical borders (e.g., Curzon Line) and analyzing case studies like former East Prussia.

Integration activities included canoe trips, film screenings, and evening discussions.

The school continued the "Memory and Law" series, exploring how international law, politics, and memory influence historical interpretations.

The international summer school "The Past in the Present – History, Law and Memory" took place from 2–8 September 2018 in Folwark Łękuk, Masuria.

The event gathered young researchers from Central and Eastern Europe, interested in the intersections of history, international law, and memory politics.

The program included lectures, workshops, and simulations led by esteemed experts such as Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Dr. Rafał Tarnogórski, Dr. Igor Gretski, Prof. Klaus Bachmann, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, Prof. Georgiy Kasyanov, Dr. Patrycja Grzebyk, Bartłomiej Gajos, and Ernest Wyciszkiewicz.

The main topics addressed included:

• legal and political responsibility for historical narratives,
• the significance of political gestures and symbolic acts in international relations,
• memory of colonialism and its contemporary consequences,
• assessment of totalitarian regimes and mechanisms of historical reckoning,
• memory politics in Russia and controversies over historical symbols,
• self-determination rights and interpretations of occupation in international law,
• the boundary between memory and politics in shaping national identities.

The program also involved workshops and simulations on memory disputes and discussions following film screenings.

The summer school promoted integration through activities such as kayaking and evening discussions.

The school was part of the "Memory and Law" series, focusing on how law, history, and memory shape the modern world.

The international summer school "Memory & Law: Legal Perspective in Historical Assessments" took place from 19–27 August 2017 in the Masurian Lake District.

Young researchers interested in the intersection of history, international law, and memory politics participated in the event, particularly within the context of Central and Eastern Europe.

The program included lectures, panel discussions, workshops, and simulations led by prominent experts such as Dr. Sławomir Dębski, Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Prof. Stefan Oeter, Dr. Georgiy Kasyanov, Dr. Ivan Kurilla, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Dr. Łukasz Jasina, and Dr. Andriy Portnov.

Participants explored topics such as:

• the impact of memory politics on international relations and law,
• legal assessments of historical actions and mechanisms of historical accountability,
• the right to self-determination and historical territorial disputes,
• the role of the European Court of Human Rights in dealing with Nazi and Soviet legacies,
• how states shape collective memory through laws, declarations, and education,
• the challenges of decommunization, denazification, and controversies around monuments and sites of memory.

The program also featured practical workshops on drafting "historical resolutions," memory site disputes, and a field trip to the Mamerki Wehrmacht headquarters.

Beyond intellectual pursuits, the school promoted integration through kayaking trips, film screenings, and evening discussions.

The school was part of the "Memory and Law" series, encouraging interdisciplinary research on memory, history, and international law.

The international summer school "History on Trial" was held in August 2016. The event focused on analyzing the relationships between international law and history, and the role of law in the study of the past.

The program included thematic lecture blocks led jointly by lawyers and historians from Poland, Germany, Ukraine, and Lithuania. Among the lecturers were Prof. Władysław Czapliński, Prof. Marek Kornat, Dr. Anna Czaplińska, Prof. Oleksandr Zadorozhnyi, Prof. Šarūnas Liekis, Prof. Stefan Oeter, Dr. Łukasz Adamski, Prof. Ireneusz Kamiński, and Dr. Andriy Portnov.

Participants explored topics such as:

• the essence and sources of international law,
• the influence of law on the development of history and historical methodology,
• the role of international treaties in state relations and conflict generation,
• the law of armed conflicts, occupation, and war crimes,
• the significance of the right to self-determination in the 19th and 20th centuries,
• transitional justice, retroactivity of international law, and legal interpretations of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The school integrated legal and historical perspectives, encouraging critical reflection on how law shapes historical interpretation.

The school was the first edition of the "Memory and Law" cycle, promoting interdisciplinary approaches to the study of history, memory, and international law.