The Integration Award ceremony marked the end of the Intercultural Week, which took place under the motto "Diversity. The best against diversity". During this week, associations, churches and institutions presented their offers. An entertainment program with various artists rounded off the integration award ceremony in the Kulturscheune in Lebenstedt.
The laudatory speech for Anne-Rose and Hans-Jürgen Kothe was given by Dincer Dinc, integration guide for the city of Salzgitter, who hosted the evening together with Kevin Anton from the Integration and Skilled Workers Department. Dincer Dinc emphasized that the Kothe couple is an outstanding example of how compassionate action promotes integration, helps to shape the coexistence of people with and without a migration background and contributes to intercultural encounters. The Kothes' initial wish to "see how we could help" at the Mütterzentrum in Salzgitter-Bad resulted in a sponsorship with a family connection, as Hans-Jürgen Kothe put it. The couple have been looking after a Syrian refugee family of five for months. They support the family in dealing with the authorities, teach the family, accompany them to the doctor and develop career prospects with them.
The Kothe couple expressed their gratitude for the award. They gave the other nominees 100 euros each from the prize money of 1,000 euros. The remaining 700 euros will go to the Syrian friends for special wishes.
The integration prize was awarded by a jury made up of a representative of the Citizens' Service for Migrants, the head of the social affairs department, the children and family representative of the city of Salzgitter, two members of the Salzgitter Integration Network and a member of the City of Salzgitter's Social Affairs and Integration Committee. As a token of appreciation, city councillor Christa Frenzel presented all applicants with a certificate of recognition on behalf of the jury.
The Citizens' Service for Migrants, which initiated the awarding of the Integration Prize, and the city of Salzgitter have honored volunteers with the Integration Prize for the fourth time. The award recognizes outstanding achievements that promote integration. The Integration Prize was first awarded in 2013 to the couple Edith and Christel Otto Tietge. In 2014, the Mütterzentrum was honored. Last year, the BC Tigers received this award.
