A house where the open society works.
Run by the non-profit VielRespektStiftung. We see ourselves as enablers: we provide spaces, technology and visibility – the content comes from the community.
Our journey
The VRZ opens on 19 January, founded by Reinhard Wiesemann and Ali Can.
Respect-guide workshops, launch of EvA, Zentrum60+ moves in.
Ukraine aid: weekly “Meet & Info” with 60+ participants.
5 years of the VRZ: dialogue bench, “Germany 2035”, 76 partnerships.
Repositioning as an enabler: new leadership, website relaunch.
Five values that carry us
Respect is the foundation
Every encounter happens at eye level. A clear stance against every form of exclusion.
Diversity is a resource
Difference is not a threat but an enrichment – and a sustainability factor for democracy.
Open and low-threshold
Multilingual, welcoming and without barriers. A migrant-friendly living room in the heart of the city.
Enable, don't dictate
We provide resources and trust the people who are committed. We don't lead, we accompany.
Reliable & solid
Clear processes, fixed contacts, balanced finances. A place you can count on.
Team & Board
Newly set up since 30 June 2026 – a full-time team and a voluntary board.
Moutasm Alyounes
Managing director of the foundation
Since May 2026
Sabine Humuza
Administration & accounting
Darius Küller
Chair of the board
On the board since 2019, chair since July 2026
Christoph Zeckra
Deputy chair
On the board since 2019, deputy chair since July 2026
Reinhard Wiesemann
Founder
On the board since 2019
Monika Rintelen
On the board since 2019
Janina Krüger
On the board since 2019
Ingo Wichmann
On the board since June 2026
Moutasm Alyounes
Author · social activist · managing director of the foundation
Moutasm Alyounes is a Syrian-German author and social activist from Essen. He came to Germany from Syria in 2015, at the age of 17. What he does in this house today, he has been through himself: arriving, finding a footing, being heard.
In 2021 he published his autobiographical book “Die Wahrheit aus meiner Sicht” (“The truth as I see it”) about war, flight and arriving in Germany. Since then he has been touring Germany with readings, talks and workshops, and develops his own social and media projects.
He has been running the VielRespektZentrum since May 2026: allocating rooms, bringing groups together, keeping the house open.
Bring people together, break down prejudice and find shared paths across different perspectives.
VielRespektStiftung
The non-profit foundation promotes international understanding, tolerance, the democratic state and civic engagement. It is the sender for funding agreements, authorities, donations and scholarships – and provides the VRZ's foundation: spaces, infrastructure and visibility.
Rottstraße 24–26, 45127 Essen · Foundation supervision Düsseldorf