Tonhalle Düsseldorf’s Human Rights Prize Announces 2025 Winner

Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann will be honored for their work talking to schoolchildren about the conflict in the Middle East

Established in 2016 by Adam Fischer, principal conductor of the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra and artistic advisor to the Tonhalle since 2015, the annual Tonhalle Human Rights Prize honors a person or organization particularly committed to human rights.

Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann have been named as the 2025 winners for their Trialog Project. Since October 2023, they have been speaking at schools about the Middle East conflict, anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim racism in order to make Palestinian and Jewish suffering visible.

A further goal in this endeavor is to show that the suffering of both groups can be recognized at the same time. By bringing together different perspectives, they promote understanding and dialogue, conveying a message of peaceful coexistence grounded in humanity.

Outside of this initiative, Hassoun works as a social services manager and mental health counselor. She is also a diversity trainer for organizations and managing director of the Transaidency Association. Hoffmann works as a social entrepreneur, activist, speaker, and moderator.

The pair will receive a cash prize of 10,000 Euros, which will be presented by Adam Fischer at a ceremony on January 19, 2025, at the human rights concert with the Düsseldorfer Symphoniker.

"Hate is like oxygen for every warmonger," Fischer said. "Fighting hate is more important than ever. In times when populism and prejudice are on the rise and politics is becoming increasingly emotionalized, Jouanna Hassoun and Shai Hoffmann make sure that people stay in touch and show empathy for each other."

(PC: Achim Pohl)