Visit of the Foundation and screening–debate at the Lieu d’Europe (20 February 2026)

Two highlights in tribute to René Cassin: a visit to the Foundation followed by a screening and debate at the Lieu d’Europe

Two joint events in tribute to René Cassin: a visit to the Foundation followed by a screening and debate at the Lieu d’Europe

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the death of René Cassin, the René Cassin Foundation – International Institute of Human Rights, the Lieu d’Europe, the Lieu documentaire, and the European Court of Human Rights are offering, on 20 February 2026, a two-part tribute: a visit at the heart of the Foundation, followed by a public screening and debate.

René Cassin (1887–1976) remains one of the great French and international figures in the defense of human rights. His life path, shaped by the tragedies of the 20th century, bears witness to a constant conviction: rights and freedoms endure only if they are transmitted, understood, and protected by strong institutions. This Strasbourg evening is part of that spirit—linking a living memory to collective reflection and making tribute a moment of relevance for today.

1) Visit of the René Cassin Foundation

Presented by Valérie Baud-Candau, Deputy Director

This first highlight offers a visit of the René Cassin Foundation, presented by Valérie Baud-Candau, Deputy Director.

Throughout the visit, you will discover the history of the Foundation, its roots in Strasbourg, and the way it has been extending René Cassin’s legacy for decades through concrete actions:

  • the promotion of human rights and the dissemination of a culture of the rule of law;

  • training programmes and educational activities, in France and internationally;

  • the networking of institutional, academic, and civil society actors;

  • raising awareness among diverse audiences (students, professionals, the general public) of contemporary human rights issues.

This visit is conceived as a gateway: understanding what the Foundation is, what it does, and why its role remains essential today.

Registration – Visit of the Foundation (reservation required)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScAzHMTHluEZ3P9q-Og4-0Ku2dcxXI3QDNJfkf2uzBLnrrKbA/viewformhttps://culture.strasbourg.eu/sit/visite-de-la-fondation-cassin-564923038/

2) Screening and debate at the Lieu d’Europe

“René Cassin, a Life in the Service of Humanity” (documentary) + discussion

The evening continues at the Lieu d’Europe with a screening and debate around the film:
René Cassin, a Life in the Service of Humanity (Aubin Hellot, 2009, 56 minutes).

This documentary retraces René Cassin’s life and the scope of his commitment, situating his actions within the history of the 20th century and the construction of the major contemporary benchmarks of human rights. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the announced speakers, extending the film through dialogue: what does Cassin’s legacy tell us about our present? What challenges does the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms face today? How can a culture of human rights be concretely transmitted?

Information and access – Screening and debate (Lieu d’Europe)

https://culture.strasbourg.eu/conferences/rene-cassin-une-vie-au-service-de-lhomme-564923047/

A two-part tribute: discover, understand, discuss

This evening has been designed as a coherent journey:

  • the visit to situate the Foundation’s current activities and its role in promoting human rights;

  • the screening to shed light on René Cassin’s journey;

  • the debate to keep this legacy alive and place it within contemporary challenges.

Registration links and practical information

Categories: Commemoration