In his ceremonial address for the tenth anniversary of the scholarship and mentoring programme “Geh Deinen Weg”, Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced that he would assume the patronage of the integration foundation “Deutschlandstiftung Integration”.

“I would like to live in a country in which everyone can develop according to his or her wishes; in which everyone is accepted as an individual; and in which no distinction is made between ‘us’ and ‘them’. This is precisely the country for which I am Federal Chancellor. With a government which has committed to venturing new paths of progress,” said the Federal Chancellor. That’s why he was particularly pleased to take on this patronage and honour the impressive life journeys and commitment of the young people who have been aided by Deutschlandstiftung Integration for many years.

Successful funding programme for young people with a migration background

The Chairman of the foundation council of Deutschlandstiftung Integration, former Federal President Christian Wulff, recalled the responsibility which the Deutschlandstiftung holds, particularly given the frequent new waves of migration: “The Geh Deinen Weg programme by Deutschlandstiftung Integration shows the vast potential that lies in immigration: a diverse, clever, cosmopolitan and creative society brings our country forward if we are all mindful of strengthening our cohesion.” This is also shown in the great willingness to help Ukrainian refugees. The scholarship holders should be proud of having such a positive effect on society with their success stories, he said.

At the subsequent podium discussion, which was moderated by “Tagesthemen” anchor Aline Abboud, Minister of State and Integration Officer Reem Alabali-Radovan, Vice President of the Federal Centre for Political Education Cemile Giousouf, DSI Managing Director Mikolaj Ciechanowicz, Member of the Board of Trustees and Managing Director of Hertha BSC Fredi Bobic, and GDW alumnus and Member of the Executive Board of Rocket Internet Soheil Mirpour spoke about the current challenges and plans of Deutschlandstiftung Integration.

For ten years, Deutschlandstiftung Integration has promoted young and particularly gifted migrants with the scholarship programme “Geh Deinen Weg”, which is one of the most successful funding programmes for young people with a migration background in Germany. The aim of the programme is to enable the scholars to become role models of successful integration in Germany. The young migrants are supported by more than 800 mentors from politics, business, academia, culture and the media. Deutschlandstiftung Integration was founded in 2008 by the Verband Deutscher Zeitschriftenverleger [Association of German Magazine Publishers].