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Award of the Prize for Democracy and the Rule of Law Bonn
On December 7, 2025, the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the federal city of Bonn and the "Bonn International Democracy Prize" association awarded the International Prize for Democracy and the Rule of Law to the independent Belarusian civil rights activist, presidential candidate and leader of the Belarusian opposition Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya awarded.
The event took place at the WCCB in the former plenary hall of the Bundestag. Prof. Dorothee Dzwonnek, Chairwoman of the Bonn International Democracy Award Association, presented the award together with the Lord Mayor of the City of Bonn, Guido Déus, and Minister Nathanael Liminski.
Discussion event
Prof. Dr. Norbert Lammert, former President of the Bundestag and Chairman of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, spoke on the topic in front of an audience of 700 in the packed auditorium of the University of Bonn on December 3, 2025: "Democracy needs democrats - what shape is our country in?"
After the welcome address by the Rector, Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch, the Chairwoman of the IDP, Prof. Dorothee Dzwonnek, opened the event with an analysis of the situation of democracy and the rule of law, which has prompted the association "Internationaler Demokratiepreis Bonn e.V." to develop additional activities, such as the lecture series "Demokratie lebt vom Mitmachen" (Democracy thrives on participation) and the IDP School Prize.
Right at the beginning of his speech, Lammert was impressed by the great response - especially as the formula "democracy needs democrats" sounds banal at first. He proved that it is not by taking a look at political participation in Germany: on average, only around two thirds of those entitled to vote take part in elections, and one third do not make use of this "royal right of democracy".
School competition 2025
The International Democracy Prize Bonn e.V. (IDP) awarded its school prize for the second time on July 8, 2025. This year, the aim was to encourage young voters to take part in the local elections on September 14 using suitable means. Around 100 pupils from all types of secondary schools took part in the competition in four categories: podcast, poetry slam, digital poster and video. Certificates and prize money totaling 3,000 euros were awarded.
Photos, text and now also a video of the event can be found on the "School Prize 2025" event page.
Discussion event
Prof. Dr. Isabel Schnabel, Member of the Executive Board of the European Central Bank (ECB)
speaks on the subject:
"Financial education and monetary policy"
Friday, May 23, 2025, 6 p.m.
School of Finance and Management, Simrockstrasse 4, 531113 Bonn
IDP Board of Trustees
The newly composed Board of Trustees began its work on May 19, 2025. The constituent meeting took place in the Sternzimmer of the Old Town Hall under the direction of the two chairpersons, Lord Mayor Katja Dörner and Minister Nathanael Liminski.
The Board of Trustees advises the activities of the Bonn International Democracy Award Association.
Press release
"Important and valuable contribution"
Internationaler Demokratiepreis Bonn e.V. on the plans to strengthen Bonn as a place to promote democracy
In the Letter of Intent signed today (January 24, 2025), which sets out the key points agreed to date between the federal government and the city and region of Bonn ...
Together with the city of Bonn and the state of NRW for democracy and the rule of law
Together for democracy: Lord Mayor Katja Dörner (front left) and Professor Dorothee Dzwonnek, Chair of the Board of the Bonn International Democracy Prize Association, have now signed the cooperation agreement on the sponsorship of the prize of the same name in the presence of the other members of the Board ...
The 2024 school competition was successfully completed.
We congratulate the award winners who were honored at the award ceremony on July 2, 2024 at the German Federal Council in Bonn.
