The German-Cameroonian Samaritans Association was founded in 2007 as a student initiative and has since been working to foster a society in which people of different backgrounds and cultural traditions can connect with one another, learn from each other, and participate as equals. The association is convinced that cultural diversity is not a problem to be managed, but rather a resource that can help strengthen our society and make the community more vibrant. Therefore, the association’s work focuses on encounters, education, cultural exchange, and engaging with socially relevant issues.

One example of this is the collaboration with the Museum Wiesbaden, in which Dekasa brings the perspectives of the Cameroonian diaspora to the table, thereby creating spaces for encounter and a nuanced exchange on history, memory, and the colonial past. 

Through its diverse range of programs, the association brings together a wide variety of people and provides a space and opportunities for exchange and social participation. With cooking classes, family festivals, cultural events, community-based projects, and creative gathering formats, Dekasa e.V. creates spaces where people can learn from one another and experience diversity together. 

The twelve-member jury, consisting of representatives from the Social Affairs Committee, the Foreign Residents’ Advisory Council, the three religious communities —the Christian churches, the Jewish community, and the Muslim community—as well as a representative from the migration counseling centers, chaired by Milena Löbcke, Head of the Integration Department, was once again very impressed by the applications and nominations submitted this year: