The Diversity Group celebrates its birthday: one year of collaboration, learning and growing together
Bestwig. The Vielfalt group organised a celebration in the parish hall of the Protestant church in Bestwig that was more than just a simple birthday: a celebration for people who, despite all their cultural and linguistic differences, have spent a year sharing wonderful moments and creating memories together.
The Diversity group, whose name comes from the cultural diversity of society, celebrated the first anniversary of their weekly meetings in the parish hall with an energetic, colourful and heartfelt programme. The event began in the church, where participants were taken on a journey through a year of togetherness with live music, contributions about the group's journey and a short film with impressions from the past year. African rhythms, sounds from different migrant cultures and reviews of challenges and successes formed a picture of diversity and cohesion.
Guests from the Protestant church were invited, including Pastor Burkhard Krieger and representatives of the refugee work of the Protestant church district of Soest-Arnsberg, employees of the Bestwig municipal administration, committed volunteers from the field of integration as well as members of migrant communities and local German residents. A lively atmosphere of exchange and encounter was created.
After the official part, the guests were invited to a buffet: A colourful table with dishes and flavours from different countries of origin of the participants. The evening was accompanied by traditional music and dances from different cultures - each group brought their own joy and movement, creating lively moments of togetherness.
- From an idea to a living community
The Diversity group was founded in October 2016. Meetings were no longer possible during the pandemic. The group was revived in the autumn of 2023 and has been able to offer weekly meetings since 25 June 2024. This was made possible with the support of the Hochsauerland district's municipal integration centre, volunteers from the Bestwig community and the refugee work of the Protestant church district of Soest-Arnsberg. The Protestant church community made the community hall available so that the group could meet every Thursday in a safe and stable environment. The financial and moral support of the community of Bestwig and the local Protestant parish also played an important role in the start.
The first meetings began with just a few participants. However, thanks to the open atmosphere, targeted offers and the response to the real needs of refugees, the group steadily grew into an active and diverse network.
The weekly meetings created a space for discussions about integration issues in Germany: looking for work, legal issues, language development through conversations with locals, sharing experiences and dealing with challenges in everyday life. A play area was set up for children to spend time together.
The group continued to grow with small parties, birthday celebrations and happy moments. What once began with just a few people now often has over 50 participants - a community of togetherness, hope and learning.
- A look back at a year of togetherness
The first birthday of the Diversity Group was an opportunity to look back on a journey that began with small steps and has led to a strong, diverse community. In addition to the weekly meetings every Thursday from 6 pm to 8 pm, where refugees and volunteers lovingly prepare food and cakes and celebrate birthdays, there have been many special events over the past year.
On 13 November 2024, a group took part in a day trip to the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament in Düsseldorf. The trip was organised by Diakonie. The visit included attending a plenary session, a discussion with a Green Party MP and discussions on issues affecting refugees - an encouraging insight into political participation.
On 19 December 2024, we celebrated a cosy Christmas party with music, culinary diversity and an introduction to German Christmas traditions - an opportunity for migrants to get to know the culture of the host country better. On 20 March 2025, we organised the Nowruz festival, a traditional New Year's celebration from the Middle East. With typical food, music and dance, it was a moving celebration, especially for refugees from the regions where Nowruz is celebrated.
On 24 April 2025, a group of employees from the Municipal Integration Centre of the Hochsauerland district visited us. Questions about training, work and further education were answered in an open dialogue. On 6 June 2025, we hosted representatives from Caritas Meschede, who presented their work and discussed opportunities for collaboration. On 1 May 2025, we went on a joint excursion to the Heringhausen barbecue site. A day full of discussions, games, walks and a delicious barbecue lunch - an opportunity to relax, share and be together.
Over the course of the year, we also regularly took part in interfaith meditation events, which take place every two months in various places of worship in the Sauerland region. Our visit to the Meschede Synagogue on 13 March 2025 was particularly noteworthy. We attended these events in Catholic churches, Protestant parishes and Muslim mosques. The aim was to promote understanding and dialogue between the religions.
- Together for an open future
Over the past year, the Diversity Group has shown how bridges can be built between people and cultures through encounters, listening and co-organisation. It created a safe space in which voices were heard, experiences shared and perspectives developed together - not through big goals, but through constant presence and mutual respect. Our weekly meetings take place every Thursday from 6 to 8 pm in the parish hall of the Protestant church in Bestwig - a place to meet, share and grow together.
We believe that integration is not a destination, but a journey - a journey that we take together, with trust, openness and mutual respect. Diversity is a place for dialogue, friendship and learning - and the door remains open to all who wish to join us.
We hope that with further support from institutions and organisations in the field of migration and refugee aid, we will be able to offer even more diverse and effective programmes in the future - programmes that create space for encounters, education and living together.