Thank You, Dear Antonie

You left us far too soon. You wanted so much to stay—for your children, your family, your friends, and for your beloved foundation. You poured your heart into it. You shaped it, stood by it through crises, and loved it deeply. You were a true Böllian—through and through.

Your journey with the Heinrich Böll Foundation began 23 years ago. Fresh out of university and still unsure whether to fully commit to African studies and the theory of democracy, you took a leap of faith and applied for the position of Head of the Africa Department. It was the very first vacancy I had to fill. Back then, applications still arrived in a laundry basket. You came recommended by my late husband, Gero—we stayed in touch about you until his death.

You were just beginning your career, without any management experience. We were both brave: you, for diving headfirst into the complex world of international political work; I, for placing my trust in someone so early in their professional life. And it paid off. From the very beginning, your many gifts were unmistakable—sharp analysis paired with deep empathy, methodical thinking balanced with genuine warmth. You quickly became one of the most capable and inspiring political managers I have ever known. A stroke of luck—for all of us.

You found your political home at the Foundation. You stayed loyal, even when others tried to lure you away. You understood what a unique role a political foundation can play—for democracy and human rights, for the self-determination of minorities, women, and LGBTIQ+ communities, and for the ecological preservation of our planet.

Your guiding convictions were clear: the right to have rights, the rule of law, democracy, and a world free from discrimination and criminalization. You lived the Foundation’s values of dignity, solidarity, and participation alongside your teams. You were always drawn to political and human rights issues that weren’t yet on the mainstream agenda—and that is precisely what made you exceptional.

Through you, I met our first LGBTIQ+ partners in South Africa—brave activists fighting for their rights in a hostile environment, in need of solidarity and support. You organized the Foundation’s first major conference on LGBTIQ+ rights there. It was groundbreaking.

The 2000s were a period of transformation. With consistently strong election results for Alliance 90/The Greens, the Foundation expanded: new offices, new focus areas—especially in Africa. And you, Antonie, were in the middle of it all. Full of drive. Full of vision. Radiant with charisma that inspired and carried others with you.
Ours was one of the most joyful and productive working relationships I’ve ever had—built on honesty, laughter, and a deep friendship. We spoke often of our families, of films, of good food—and always, of our work at the Foundation. With boundless energy, we brainstormed new topics and developed bold ideas together. We championed gender politics and feminist work—both at headquarters and in our international offices. You were my steadfast ally, a feminist through and through.

We were united by a shared vision: to find and empower office leaders around the world who would embody the Foundation’s values and political mission. You had the idea to move the Foundation’s office from Johannesburg to Cape Town. You convinced me of its potential. We believed, together with our
local partners—including voices in the South African Parliament—that we could influence the post-apartheid agenda. That we could make a difference. 

And we did.

You established the Cape Town office with care and clarity, while raising your young family. You assembled a strong team and carried out the Foundation’s mission with responsibility, vision, and love. You embraced the full spectrum of activities—from energy policy and climate justice to social transformation and human dignity. You knew that South Africa’s coal dependence was unsustainable, and you were instrumental in highlighting the power of renewable energy.

I was especially impressed by how you innovated—finding new ways to give voice to those most affected by climate change. One of the earliest publications, Boiling Point, featured fishermen, small farmers, and women whose lives were already shaped by an unstable climate.

You understood that change can only come through partnership. Local partners were—and are—the heart of our work. You believed deeply in showing the diversity of voices, both abroad and at home in Germany. That’s how you conceived the Perspectives format—featuring only local voices, from political actors to academics. It became a hallmark of the Foundation, later adopted across all our regions.

You were a bridge-builder. You knew we needed academia to deepen our understanding and refine our work. Your connections with the Green Party and its parliamentary group ensured our and our partners’ insights were heard where they mattered—in ministries, in parliament, in public discourse. You were a trusted, respected voice. Always sensitive to context, and always aware that we operate as guests in many of the spaces we engage.

You didn’t just respect other perspectives—you truly listened. You sought understanding. Yet you always held your own stance: clear, thoughtful, principled. You were a remarkable person. Strong and open. A mediator by instinct, a diplomat by talent. You never sowed division. You compromised when it made sense—and drew firm lines when it didn’t.

When you transitioned to the Middle East Department, balancing the Foundation’s responsibilities in both Israel and Palestine, you took on a classic ‘sandwich’ role—and navigated it with exceptional skill. You remained calm, composed, and thoughtful, even when we were unreasonable.

In 2015, we co-authored a paper on the Foundation’s Middle East policy. Your input was decisive—especially in framing our stance on antisemitism. We chose to reference the Jerusalem Declaration, because it made a vital distinction: that criticism of Israeli government policy is not inherently antisemitic. Your clarity, your commitment to human rights, your understanding of international law—these shaped that position.

Taking over the Middle East and North Africa department presented new challenges. From Morocco to Iraq, you immersed yourself in complex political landscapes and responded with intelligence and care. Together, we witnessed the highs and lows of the Arab Spring. We placed our hope in the democratic movements of Morocco, Tunisia, and Egypt. Offices opened in Rabat and Tunis, filled with ambition. I remember our travels together vividly. That was foundation work at its very best: supporting and expanding civil society and democratic spaces with determination and realism.

We had longstanding connections to activists of the Damascus Spring through our office in Lebanon. We hoped to support them during the uprisings, with the belief that it might even influence the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for the better. But disappointment came quickly. In Egypt, our last partners were forced into exile. Again, you stepped up—tirelessly supporting those in the diaspora, those who still dared to dream of democracy in Egypt, Iran, and beyond.

The war in Syria was a tragedy. From Lebanon and Berlin, we searched for ways to help. When ECCHR asked us to support efforts to document human rights violations by the Assad regime, I immediately said yes. And you, Antonie, found a way. Despite legal barriers, you helped fund the groundwork for the Koblenz trials. You were a trailblazer. A testament to what political foundations can achieve when they defend human rights fearlessly.
When you became Head of the International Cooperation Department, the world was already shifting. Space for civil society was shrinking. Authoritarianism was on the rise. Our new office in Myanmar had to relocate. Crisis management became our daily rhythm. We had to close offices, protect colleagues and partners from bombs in Syria, Ukraine, and Gaza—even evacuate them. In places like Beijing, we were silenced. 

And yet, you were there. For the people. For the solutions. For safety. For new ideas. Tireless. Kind. Patient. Resilient. And always, so full of hope.

You fought for your life with the same determination that defined your work. You longed to see your children grow, to savour life, to continue supporting the Foundation you loved so dearly. Your optimism never faded, not even in illness. You believed in recovery. In a future.

Dear Antonie, you gave everything to the Heinrich Böll Foundation. I will forever be grateful for our friendship and our incredible journey together. You were my comrade. My ally. My friend.

I miss you more than words can say. But I will continue to seek beauty in this world—in memory of you.

Barbara 

Berlin, 28 May 2025