Recognition bestowed upon Waltraud Beyen by the City of Neuss and the Merit Order of the State: An advocate for increased acceptance and generosity.
Respected resident Waltraud Beyens, a pioneering figure in the district of Derikum, Neuss, has been honored for her relentless contributions to the community. With around 5,000 inhabitants, Derikum boasts a high migration rate, a aspect Beyens has significantly influenced since the 1980s.
Beyens, who founded the non-profit association "Best," has been a dedicated volunteer for Derikum, organizing events such as "intercultural breakfasts" and fostering "interreligious dialogue" for many years. Her tireless efforts also saw the construction of a mosque in Neuss. Beyens emphasizes the importance of conversation and empathy in her community work.
The city of Neuss annually presents the Heimatpreis to local commitments that strengthen and preserve the sense of home. In 2019, Beyens won the award, and this year, she was one of three winners. The jury, which included Mayor Reiner Breuer, city council members, and last year's winner Ingrid Schäfer, received 28 proposals from the public. Alongside Beyens, the "Runde Tisch Hoisten" and the "Runde Tisch Barbaraviertel" were selected as runners-up.
The North Rhine-Westphalia state government and the city of Neuss provided additional funding to support local volunteering. Beyens received 3,750 euros for her first prize, while runners-up received 1,875 euros each.
Minister President Hendrik Wüst congratulated Beyen on receiving the Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia for her decades of commitment in Derikum. Beyen has also been actively involved in local politics as a CDU city councilor from 1989 to 1994 and 2009 to 2020. She has made significant contributions in the youth and social sector, advocating against drug abuse, vandalism, and promoting leisure activities for children.
Beyen played a key role in the integration of migrant children and young people, founding homework support and German courses, and setting up a successful multicultural dance group. Her focus on integration has helped shape Derikum into a more inclusive community that values diversity and collaboration.
Waltraud Beyen's impactful work in networking, volunteering, and integration within the community in Neuss continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of its residents.
- Waltraud Beyens, the recipient of the Heimatpreis, has made voluntary contributions to the community of Derikum, Neuss, for over four decades, particularly in financing the construction of a mosque and organizing intercultural events.
- Beyens' efforts in business and politics have extended to fostering diversity-and-inclusion, as she played a significant role in integrating migrant children and young people through the establishment of homework support and German courses, and a multicultural dance group.
- A pioneer in lifestyle and home-and-garden initiatives, Beyens has emphasized the importance of conversation and empathy in enhancing the sense of home and community among Derikum's diverse population.
- In addition to her involvement in local politics, Beyens has been recognized with the Order of Merit of North Rhine-Westphalia for her voluntarywork in Derikum, which has contributed to general news discourse about community development and integration.
