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New Prize for the Rule of Law: Honor for Rainer Arnold in Santo Domingo!
The University of Regensburg honors Rainer Arnold with a prize that strengthens the rule of law worldwide. Awards ceremony 2025.
New Prize for the Rule of Law: Honor for Rainer Arnold in Santo Domingo!
The World Jurist Association (WJA) and the World Law Foundation (WLF) have launched a new award that recognizes outstanding achievements in constitutional research in the legal field. The “Rainer Arnold Prize for Strengthening the Rule of Law” was named after the late Professor Dr. Rainer Arnold, who died in early 2025 at the age of 81. Professor Arnold was an important lawyer and long-time holder of the chair for public law at the University of Regensburg. He leaves an important legacy in European constitutional development and was particularly committed to the rule of law in Central and Eastern Europe.
Barbara Arnold, the wife of the deceased, received the award at the 29th Congress of the World Law Association in May 2025 in Santo Domingo. The prize is awarded every two years by the WJA and the WLF and is intended to continue the legacy of Arnold, who was not only involved in drafting the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in 2000, but also emphasized the importance of the European Union as a community based on law and common values.
Honors and awards
The inaugural Rainer Arnold Prize went to Georgetown University for its global contributions to strengthening the rule of law. The winners are selected by the WJA Board of Directors and the WLF Board of Trustees. Numerous high-ranking personalities were present at the ceremony, including the President of the Federal Constitutional Court and Felipe VI, King of Spain.
The prize is aimed at universities, institutions, research groups, judges, professors and prominent personalities who have contributed to improving the rule of law worldwide. This highlights the global majority committed to promoting democratic values and legal integrity, which is important to both the national and international communities.
Symbol of hope and spirituality
As part of this honor, a sculpture entitled “FLAME” by artist Carlos Albert will be erected. This sculpture, symbolizing spirituality and hope, consists of two steel arches that rise like wings and will be placed in the 30 de Mayo Park in Santo Domingo. It not only serves as a reminder of Professor Arnold, but also as a sign of commitment to strengthening the rule of law.
In a broader context, the rule of law situation in the European Union remains tense. The debate about adherence to core values is more important than ever, especially given the current challenges caused by political developments in countries such as Hungary and Poland. Reports about corruption and the handling of media freedom are increasingly viewed critically, as recent reports from the European Parliament and the European Commission show. These tense circumstances illustrate the importance of the work that Professor Arnold and the new prize are trying to promote.