Adelaide-based Holocaust survivor Andrew Steiner OAM has received global recognition for his lifelong dedication to building a more compassionate society, receiving the inaugural Éva Fahidi Award in late November 2025.
The 92-year-old survivor, who has made South Australia his home, used the occasion to deliver a sobering warning about current global conditions that he finds disturbingly familiar from his childhood experiences in the 1930s.
A Lifetime of Advocacy Recognised
Andrew Steiner, at 92 years old, continues his remarkable work as a Holocaust educator and human rights advocate from his base in Adelaide. The prestigious Éva Fahidi Award represents international acknowledgment of his decades-long commitment to creating what he describes as "a fairer, more compassionate society."
The award ceremony took place in late November 2025, with Steiner being honoured as the first recipient of this distinguished international prize. Named after the late Hungarian Holocaust survivor and human rights activist Éva Fahidi, the award recognises individuals who demonstrate extraordinary dedication to human dignity and social justice.
Echoes of History in Modern Times
In accepting the award, Steiner shared his profound concern about current global developments. The nonagenarian survivor observed that the world is experiencing what he called "severe cracks" in social cohesion and humanitarian values.
Steiner drew direct parallels between contemporary global tensions and the environment he witnessed as a child during the 1930s, a period that ultimately led to the horrors of the Holocaust. His warning carries particular weight given his personal experience of one of history's darkest chapters.
"Having lived through the unimaginable, Steiner's perspective on current events demands our attention," noted one observer at the award ceremony.
The Legacy Continues
Despite his advanced age, Steiner remains actively involved in educational work, sharing his testimony with younger generations. His presence in the Adelaide community has made South Australia an important centre for Holocaust education and human rights advocacy.
The Éva Fahidi Award not only honours Steiner's past contributions but also acknowledges his ongoing work. His message of compassion and vigilance resonates with particular urgency in today's increasingly divided world.
Steiner's family, with whom he lives in Adelaide, continues to support his mission, ensuring that the lessons from history are not forgotten as new challenges emerge in the 21st century.
