Academy for the rule of law: ‘Indispensable in populist times’
Around fifty civil servants and journalists have jointly delved into rule of law issues since the launch of the Academy for the Rule of Law, a Dutch course from the Centre for Professional Learning. With the fourth edition approaching, the course has been refined and shaped through past iterations.
The building blocks of the course
A key feature of the course is its structure of seven modules, each comprising a full day, where foundational knowledge, practical dilemmas, and in-depth discussions converge. Each module focuses on a specific rule of law theme, such as rule of law principles, citizen engagement, fundamental rights, transparency and oversight, trust, learning from mistakes, ministerial responsibility, and integrity. Throughout the sessions, theory and practice alternate: scientific presentations and reflections provide knowledge, while participants collaborate on case studies in groups. Practical experience is central, as nearly every course day includes a visit to a different institution of the constitutional state, such as the Senate or House of Representatives, the Council of State, the Ombudsman, or the King’s Office.
'This course should be mandatory for everyone working in the public domain' - former participant
Highly rated and widely endorsed
'This course should be mandatory for everyone working in the public domain' and 'indispensable in populist times' are just two of the enthusiastic endorsements from participants. With an average final score of 8.1, the course succeeds in its mission to strengthen the rule of law culture by immersing those who contribute to democracy in knowledge and debate. 'An interactive course with a steep learning curve' and 'a solid foundation for my civil service skills' were the verdicts of two civil servant participants. Journalists were equally positive: 'Spot on in terms of relevance and direct application in my daily work,' one commented.
From expansion to refinement
After eighteen months, the course has settled into its final form. The second edition expanded from five to seven modules; the third edition focused on refining and updating content. Some participants previously noted a lack of overview regarding the coherence of the rule of law, leading to a stronger emphasis on processes linking various institutions, such as the legislative process and policy cycle. 'Good to have that clearly mapped out step by step for once,' one participant noted.
Bringing theory to life: more visits, deeper insights
The balance between academic insights and practical application has been further improved by increasing the number of institution visits from four to seven. 'Thanks to these visits, I now view institutions like the Ombudsman and the Council of State differently. They used to feel distant, but that changed after speaking with the passionate people working there,' one participant shared. Another remarked, 'The visit to the House of Representatives really brought the connection between theory and practice to life.'
Broadening horizons: a diverse group
The diverse mix of journalists and civil servants was widely seen as a major strength of the course. 'Great to step outside your own bubble. The diversity of participants was valuable for everyone,' one participant reflected. The participation of journalists, supported by the Democracy and Media Foundation, provided new insights: 'Fantastic that journalists in the group took the time to explain their work. It gave us a valuable behind-the-scenes look and sparked great discussions!' Since the third edition, an expert by experience—someone with first-hand experience of governmental failures—has also joined the course, further enriching the group’s diversity. The aim is for participants to gain new perspectives by learning from one another.
This article was written by Carola Schoor from the Centre for Professional Learning. It was recently published in the February edition of De Hofvijver, the monthly publication of the Montesquieu Institute, featuring analyses, opinions, columns, and background articles from The Hague and Brussels.
Evaluations and current events continuously inspire fine-tuning of the course. The next edition of the Academy for the Rule of Law (in Dutch) kicks off on 9 May.