On this special day, political and community leaders from both the local and state levels gathered in Wiesbaden. The politicians thanked the volunteers and emphasized the importance of volunteer work for social cohesion. 

Katrin Hechler, State Secretary at the Hessian Ministry of Labor, Integration, Youth, and Social Affairs, and City Council President Dr. Gerhard Obermayr personally presented the Volunteer Cards for the first time. In doing so, they honored people who have been actively involved in Wiesbaden for many years. This year, more Volunteer Cards were awarded than ever before. In the future, the presentation will always be accompanied by a personal ceremony, held twice a year—on Volunteer Day on May 23 and on December 5.

In his welcoming remarks, Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende emphasized the central importance of civic engagement: “Civic engagement and social commitment are indispensable for the city’s social cohesion.” He also emphasized that civic engagement in Wiesbaden takes many different forms—in clubs, initiatives, and neighborly cooperation. Hechler represented Minister of State Heike Hofmann and highlighted the social significance of civic engagement in Hesse. She praised the diversity of the people who volunteer their time. The President of the Hessian State Parliament, Astrid Wallmann, highlighted the democratic relevance of civic engagement and emphasized the connection between the Basic Law and active responsibility in society. Dr. Obermayr particularly praised civic engagement at the local level and the importance of direct dialogue between the urban community and politics.

Mende, Hechler, and author and lawyer Ronen Steinke discussed civic engagement, democracy, and social responsibility. In his keynote address, Steinke emphasized the role of the Basic Law as the foundation of an active democratic community. 

Ashkan Nekoueian, the Commissioner for Civic Engagement for the State Capital of Wiesbaden, explained: “Through regular events, the City of Wiesbaden creates a framework to honor the long-standing commitment of holders of the Volunteer Card.”

Details about the Volunteer Card are available at www.wiesbaden.de/leben-in-wiesbaden/gesellschaft-soziales/engagement/ehrenamtskarte (opens in a new tab). Information about volunteering and civic engagement in Wiesbaden can be found at www.wiesbaden.de/engagement (opens in a new tab). Nekoueian can be reached at mitwirkenwiesbadende. You can subscribe to the Engagement Newsletter at wiesbaden.de/newsletter-engagement (opens in a new tab).