Photo by Mateusz Byczkowski
‘The strength of our university is cooperation.’ On the day of the University of Gdańsk's anniversary, 20 March 2025, a solemn meeting of the UG Senate was held. This year, it was part of the celebrations of the 55th anniversary of the University. A special event during the ceremony was the awarding of an honorary doctorate from the University of Gdańsk to prof. dr hab. Piotr Hofmański, an outstanding lawyer, promoter of European values and European standards of human rights protection.
The Main Library of the University of Gdańsk hosted a unique event. In addition to the rector's authorities, members of the Senate of the University of Gdańsk and the academic community, the event was attended by representatives of the diplomatic corps, parliamentarians, representatives of ministries, and representatives of the authorities of Pomeranian cities and local governments. The University of Gdańsk Day was also attended by representatives of the judiciary, the world of science, culture and business - as well as rectors and vice-rectors of universities from all over Poland. Among them was the most important guest: prof. dr hab. Piotr Hofmański, surrounded by family and friends. All were welcomed by the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. dr hab. Piotr Stepnowski.
The speech of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk focused mainly on this year's anniversary. ‘On 20 March 1970, exactly 55 years ago, the University of Gdańsk was established,’ recalled prof. Piotr Stepnowski. He then quoted the words of the first Rector of our University, prof. Janusz Sokołowski. In an interview with the press, prof. J. Sokołowski presented the most important assumptions of the new university, which ‘should have a profile clearly referring to the tasks resulting from its geographical location and the needs of the national economy’ - in the case of the University of Gdańsk, mainly the maritime economy.
Describing the current situation of our university, the Rector referred to historical data concerning various aspects of the University's operation: e.g. the number of premises (which has grown significantly since the University was founded), the number of units (initially there were 6 faculties, now there are 11), the number of employees (500 people when the University was founded, compared to approx. 3,300 people currently employed) or students. ‘We are celebrating the anniversary of the University of Gdańsk in conditions that our professors of the 1970s and the first generations of students certainly never dreamed of’ emphasised prof. Piotr Stepnowski.
The rector of the University of Gdańsk talked about what the University of Gdańsk can be proud of: from 11 faculties conducting research in 21 scientific disciplines (he pointed out the unique nature of the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG), through specialised research centres (and two International Research Agendas), employing several dozen scientists from all over the world, to the thriving sports and cultural centres. He emphasised the value of the University's employees, many of whom are winners of prestigious scientific awards (e.g. the Foundation for Polish Science Award or the City of Gdańsk Jan Hevelius Science Award). He thanked both the employees and graduates of the University of Gdańsk for passing on the ‘university gene’: ‘(...) we know, we feel that you are proud of your Alma Mater, and we make every effort to ensure that it always remains that way,’ said prof. Piotr Stepnowski.
The speech of the UG Rector also focused on cooperation: both at the local level (a prime example of which is the Daniel Fahrenheit Association of Gdańsk Universities) Daniel Fahrenheit), as well as international cooperation with scientists from all over the world (e.g. within the framework of the Visiting Professors programme at the University of Gdańsk), and the University of Gdańsk's activities in the SEA-EU alliance, which brings together 9 European universities. The rector mentioned, among other things, two international oceanographic campaigns carried out within the framework of the alliance and recognised by the European Commission. As prof. P. Stepnowski stated: ‘(...) we are proud that our motto In mari via tua has been taken to an international level.’
The last part of prof. P. Stepnowski's speech referred to prof. Piotr Hofmański, who - according to the Rector - embodies values that are not only close to the idea of the University of Gdańsk, but are also universal and indispensable in the modern world. ‘It takes courage to fight for just causes, for a better, more conscious society. Professor Piotr Hofmański certainly has that courage. For me, as the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, it is a real honour that on the 55th anniversary of our University, we are accepting an outstanding scientist, a courageous and independent judge, a Pole speaking at the International Criminal Court with the voice of all the wronged nations, as an honorary doctor. (...) I also wish us, on the 55th anniversary of the University of Gdańsk, may our University develop in this world and may it educate and shape citizens who will support and build this vision of a world based on the best models and ideas presented by our outstanding honorary doctors, including Professor Piotr Hofmański.’
After the speech of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, Marcin Iskra, Director General of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, took the floor on behalf of the Minister of Science and Higher Education dr Marcin Kulasek . After reading the Minister's letter of congratulations on the 55th anniversary of the University of Gdańsk, Marcin Iskra shared his personal wishes and those of the entire Ministry team.
Presentation of the Professor Karol Taylor Scientific Awards of the University of Gdańsk and the Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz ‘Teacher of the Year’ Awards
Fot. Mateusz Byczkowski
Photo by Mateusz Byczkowski
Another item on the agenda of the University of Gdańsk Day was the awarding of the Professor Karol Taylor Scientific Prizes of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk (awarded to employees of the University of Gdańsk for their overall scientific or research and development achievements). This part of the ceremony was hosted by prof. dr hab. Wiesław Laskowski, Vice-Rector for Research.
Four people were awarded the Professor Karol Taylor Scientific Prizes of the Rector of the University of Gdańsk.
In the fields of humanities and social sciences:
- prof. dr hab. Jerzy Szyłak
- prof. dr hab. Stanisław Rosiek
In the field of science and life sciences:
- prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Liberek
- prof. dr hab. Marek Żukowski
Then, the Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz ‘Teacher of the Year’ Awards (given for special didactic achievements) were presented. As emphasised by prof. dr hab. Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy, prof. UG, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs (who led this part of the ceremony), the uniqueness of the ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards lies in the fact that it is students who nominate the candidates.
This year, the Krzysztof Celestyn Mrongowiusz ‘Teacher of the Year’ awards and a symbolic statuette were presented to:
- dr Aleksandra Bielicka-Giełdoń from the Faculty of Chemistry
- dr Ewa Ignaciuk from the Faculty of Economics
- dr n. med. inż. Dorota Pomorska from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG
In addition, one honourable mention was awarded to dr Marta Jurczyk from the Faculty of Social Sciences.
The profiles of the award winners were presented in short video materials. All the awards were presented to the winners by the Rector of the University of Gdańsk, prof. Piotr Stepnowski.
Awarding the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Gdańsk to prof. dr hab. Piotr Hofmański
Photo by Mateusz Byczkowski
An important part of this year's celebration of the University of Gdańsk Day was the awarding of an honorary doctorate from the University of Gdańsk to prof. dr hab. Piotr Hofmański.
The profile and merits of prof. Piotr Hofmański were presented in a laudation by dr hab. Sławomir Steinborn, prof. UG, the promoter in the proceedings for awarding the title of doctor honoris causa of the University of Gdańsk to the hero of the ceremony. Prof. Sławomir Steinborn outlined 45 years of prof. Piotr Hofmański's professional career, emphasising his commitment to actively promoting fundamental European values, including European standards of human rights protection. This dedication to these values was visible both in prof. P. Hofmański's academic work and in his activity as a judge. His achievements in both these areas have been recognised and appreciated. His authority in the academic community is evidenced by the fact that he was appointed to the Chair of Criminal Procedure at the Jagiellonian University (which does not often entrust similar positions to ‘external professors’).
Prof. P. Hofmański's competence, knowledge and achievements have also gained international recognition: in 2015, he became the first Pole in history to be appointed to the International Criminal Court in Hague for a nine-year term. On March 11, 2021, prof. Hofmański was elected as the President of the ICC, the first judge from Central Europe to hold this office. In the history of international tribunals, only two Poles have managed to obtain the position of president, as emphasised by prof. Leszek Garlicki in his review.
Prof. Steinborn pointed out that prof. Piotr Hofmański's term as president of the ICC coincided with an exceptionally difficult time. All the more important is the announcement by prof. Piotra Hofmański as President of the ICC, the Court issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin and the Russian spokesperson for children's rights, Maria Lvov-Beleva (due to suspected war crimes in Ukraine in the form of unlawful deportations of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia). This event was truly historic: ‘It was clear evidence that the Tribunal does not intend to remain a court for prominent figures of collapsed regimes in exotic countries and will not shy away from cases where the charge of a war crime concerns representatives of one of the great powers, and the lack of ratification of the Rome Statute by a given state does not automatically exclude the jurisdiction of the Court,’ emphasised prof. Sławomir Steinborn. He summarised the entire activity of prof. Piotr Hofmański with the following words:
‘In every aspect of Piotr Hofmański's work – as a lawyer, scientist, expert, codifier, judge – his unwavering devotion to European values and human rights stands out. They are characterised by an admirable axiological unity, and his person and achievements are an inspiration for future generations of scientists and judges. However, perhaps everything I have said so far could be summarised in one short statement: Piotr Hofmański is simply a wonderful, good man who has devoted his entire life to the highest values: goodness, truth, human dignity, freedom, and justice.’
After the speech by prof. Sławomir Steinborn, prof. Piotr Stepnowski, Rector of the University of Gdańsk, presented the Senate's Resolution of 21 November 2024 on awarding prof. Piotr Hofmański with an honorary doctorate from the University of Gdańsk ‘for his commitment to European values and standards of human rights protection based on the subjectivity of the human individual, inalienable human dignity and freedom, and the importance of striving for truth in human activity, as well as for his work towards realising the idea of a global system of accountability for international crimes’. The content of the honorary doctorate was read out by dr hab. Wojciech Zalewski, prof. UG, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration.
The new honorary doctor of the University of Gdańsk expressed his gratitude for the title: ‘I think that the people awarded usually consider it undeserved. I have always treated everything I did during my professional career as a matter of course. I did what we all do. I am extremely happy that the decision was made here at the University of Gdańsk. It is a great honour. I have always felt close to Gdańsk - I feel at home here.’
Afterwards, prof. Piotr Hofmański - already an honorary doctor of the University of Gdańsk - gave a lecture in the form of reflections aimed at answering the question: Does international criminal justice still make sense?
He presented a series of historical events that led to the establishment of the International Criminal Court. He recalled, among other things, that 2025 marks exactly 80 years since the famous trials of war criminals in Nuremberg. However, he pointed out that a favourable political climate was needed for the International Criminal Court to be established, and this emerged with the end of the Cold War in the 1990s. It was then that the international community began working on the creation of the first permanent international court, which was tasked with prosecuting crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes, and later also crimes of aggression. The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court was opened for signature in 1998. Four years later, after the Statute had received the 60 required ratifications, the Court began to fulfil its mission. Currently, 125 countries worldwide are parties to the Rome Statute.
The University of Gdańsk awarded him an honorary doctorate and recognised the establishment of the ICC as a milestone in the history of international and criminal law, as well as a great success for the international community: ‘For the first time, a court has been established not only to try the criminals of fallen regimes, but a permanent court with global jurisdiction ‘for the future’. A court that tries perpetrators of international crimes in accordance with universally accepted standards of human rights protection. A court that cannot be accused of violating the prohibition of retroactivity, which was the Achilles heel of all its predecessors. A court that has brought hope for justice to millions of victims of atrocities on all continents,’ said Prof. Piotr Hofmański.
Despite the compromise solutions adopted in the Tribunal, many countries that participated in the negotiations did not submit ratification documents. Unfortunately, these included major world powers, including the USA, China, India and Russia. Prof. P. Hofmański also pointed to the Tribunal's weaknesses, which in many cases block its actions. One of them is the mechanism for activating the jurisdiction by the UN Security Council, which has never functioned as expected and has been completely blocked when one of the countries that are permanent members of the Council (and have the right of veto in this Council) has itself committed aggression against a sovereign country. ‘Political interests prove stronger than the desire for justice’, noted prof. P. Hofmański.
Another weakness of the ICC is the lack of its own executive apparatus. This missing element of the system has been replaced by the obligation to cooperate fully with the Court, as enshrined in the Rome Statute. This obligation includes, among other things, assistance in gathering evidence, securing property, and above all, executing arrest warrants issued by the Court's judges. Without the close cooperation of the States Parties, the Court is therefore unable to fulfil its mission. ‘The worst thing is that support for the ICC can be selective,’ noted prof. P. Hofmański, giving examples of countries supporting the Court's activities depending on their own interests. 'The ICC needs absolute support to survive (...). You have to be with it for better or for worse.’
So, does it still make sense in view of the crisis of international justice? ‘Perhaps the international community is not yet mature enough to put the pursuit of justice above short-term political interests? Perhaps the concept of state sovereignty needs to be redefined; in my opinion, it must also mean shared responsibility for international peace and order?’ - wondered the doctor honoris causa of the University of Gdańsk.
However, prof. P. Hofmański gave arguments in favour of maintaining the Rome Statute. One of them is positive complementarity - the ICC can boast of some success in mobilising domestic judiciaries to act. The second reason, perhaps the most important one, is the expectations of the victims of international crimes and the hope that the Court's efforts bring. ‘I had the opportunity to see crowds of people watching the broadcast from the Hague courtroom in Bangui (Central Africa) on the only TV set they have there. These people have not only been waiting for years to be compensated for the harm done to them. They want to see their perpetrators brought to justice. We must not disappoint this hope.’
Prof. Piotr Hofmański's speech was received with resounding applause.
The last item on the agenda of the University of Gdańsk's 55th-anniversary celebrations was a performance by the University of Gdańsk Academic Choir (conducted by prof. Marcin Tomczak); the artists presented songs by Pink Floyd. The repertoire was specially prepared for prof. Piotr Hofmański, who appreciates 1970s rock music.
