TEDDY KOLLEK AWARD 2013Sonja Dinner, President of THE DEAR Foundation, received in Jerusalem on May 2, 2013 The International Teddy Kollek Award for her longstanding work in Jerusalem for a peaceful coexistence between Jews, Muslims and Christians.Former award winners have been among others the late Swiss banker Hans J. Baer and former Chancellor Helmut Kohl.Sonja Dinner's philanthropic work, as an individual and as President of the Board of The DEAR Foundation in Switzerland, transcends religious and ethnic divisiveness. Sonja knows that the grim face of poverty is the same worldwide. Sonja's philanthropy started in 2000 and using her business connections, she created awareness and raised funds for the causes she holds dear. After a successful career as CEO and primary shareholder of the information technology company Heyde AG until 2002, Sonja used her skills to independently advise Swiss Banks and its customers on philanthropic and huminatiarian investments. Sonja lives by the motto that education and improved living conditions are the only way to change the fate of those who are poverty stricken. Sonja has ambitious goals: give as many children as possible a meaningful childhood and empower the poor to live a dignified and independent existence, free from charitable handouts. This work takes her not only to Israel and the Middle East, but also to all parts of Africa, Asia, Russia,Central and South America. It is these very goals that drives Sonja and the DEAR Foundation's committment to some of the most needy of Jerusalem's children and women. Sonja resides in Switzerland. She is a frequent visitor to Jerusalem and is personally involved with the projects the DEAR Foundation supports. The price ceremony was held in the presence of many distinguished guests andNir Barkat, Mayor of JerusalemSallai Meridor, International Chairman of the Jerusalem FoundationMark Sofer, President of the Jerusalem FoundationThe Jerusalem Foundation, 2013