About Mounir
Mounir Samuel works on the cutting edge of politics, climate change, media, gender, language, art, culture, religion and society. He provides answers to the major questions of the day and offers concrete action plans and practical interventions. Both in his personal life and public work, Mounir embodies action and radical change. He is a political scientist, prominent journalist, renown author, performance artist, theater maker, museum curator, (TV) host and cultural entrepreneur. Winq magazine called him the change maker of the decade.
Mounir is a strong advocate of social justice and sustainable system change. He is the proud recipient of the Emma Goldman Award, that he received on March 13 2025 in Vienna, Austria. This European prize, supported by the FLAX Foundation, is awarded to talented and passionate scholars residing in Europe to support their research and development. Each year, the foundation selects between 5 to 10 individuals based on the following criteria: extraordinary expertise on, and engagement with, scholarship in the field of feminist and inequality issues; substantial contributions to knowledge on feminist and inequality issues in Europe; track record of collaboration and solidarity; public spirit; originality; great insight into their chosen field; and potential for future contribution to knowledge.
© Roger Anis (2024)
Mounir studied political science, international relations & diplomacy, Middle Eastern studies and Islamic law at University of Leiden and UC San Diego. As a(n) (undercover) journalist, researcher and correspondent, Mounir travelled to the remotest places on earth and presents decolonized, marginalized and neglected perspectives on social issues and international affairs.
He is a fierce critic of the rise of extreme right, fascism and authoritarianism. His latest book Nederland voor de Nederlanders (The Netherlands for the Dutch) deals exclusively with the rise of nationalism and xenophobia in the Netherlands. The book Is both extremely personal as well as political and considered a must read by many.
In earlier books such as Je mag ook niets meer zeggen (You can’t say anything no more) and Jona zonder walvis (Jonah without the wale) Mounir challenges issues such as the political power of language, the problems with contemporary notions of d&I and imminent climate chaos.
© Emma Goldman Award (2025)
"Mounir deals with the major questions of the day and advocates social justice and sustainable system change."
Mounir is the inventor of public participatory models such as the Privilege Pyramid in Wereldmuseum Amsterdam. This public interaction makes issues like privilege and intersectionality visible, if not tangible. It helps deconstruct pre-fixed notions and (un)conscious bias and is a great conversation starter. Mounir developed more social participatory models to research and reveal systematic in- and exclusion. Many of which are used in museums, schools and work offices
Mounir keeps challenging socio-political norms. He reflects deeply on the broken relationships between humanity, planet earth, the other and one’s self. He is a frequent guest in talkshows and a great public speaker and performer who knows how to move his audience with humor, authenticity and zeal.
© Roger Anis (2024)