As the cradle of the Basic Law and the most stable democracy on German soil, the city is committed to the topic of democracy. It wants to help strengthen democratic awareness in the city's society. "Bonn has an important role to play in the history of our country. We should see this role as an obligation to make a special contribution to the appreciation and stabilization of democratic structures," says Mayor Katja Dörner.

This is the background to the city council's decision to financially support the IDP in 2024, the 75th anniversary of the promulgation of the Basic Law and thus the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany. The award is a symbol of the commitment of people who are fighting or have fought for freedom, democracy and human rights worldwide. In Bonn, the place where the Basic Law was written, it aims not only to keep alive the memory of Germany's path to democracy, but also to arouse passion to keep democracy alive as an attitude, a form of government and a way of life.

The IDP strengthens the image of the international city of Bonn, which is the city of the Basic Law. The prize commemorates the contributions of the city and its people to the history of democracy in Germany and at the same time underlines Bonn's claim to have an international impact in the future.

Background "Bonn International Democracy Prize" (IDP)

Since 2009, the association has honoured individuals and civil society organizations worldwide who are committed to democracy, freedom and the rule of law. The IDP is awarded to natural or legal persons who have made an outstanding contribution to democratization and human rights in their country. Past winners include former Czech President Václav Havel, Iranian human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, the organization "Reporters Without Borders" and Polish lawyer Malgorzata Gersdorff.

Further information on the IDP is available online at  https://www.demokratiepreis-bonn.de/. (opens in a new tab)