On 13.05.24, we had the honor of attending the Bavarian Integration Award 2024 ceremony in Munich. The event was chaired by the President of the Bavarian State Parliament Ilse Aigner, Bavaria's Minister of the Interior and Integration Joachim Herrmann, and the Bavarian State Government's Commissioner for Integration, Karl Straub.

The motto of this year's ceremony was "Integration - Women in Focus" and honored four outstanding projects that have made a special contribution to the integration of women.

State Parliament President Ilse Aigner emphasized the important role of women in integration and stressed that they tend to adapt quickly to everyday life, work, and society if they speak German and are familiar with German values. However, she added, it is crucial that they are supported, included in the dialogue, and encouraged by those who embody the ideals of emancipation, freedom, and democracy.

This is what GAaNF is all about - we are committed to empowering and fostering integration into German society. We believe in providing support, facilitating meaningful dialogue, and offering encouragement to individuals from migrant backgrounds, thereby promoting inclusivity and diversity within our communities.

However, we noticed that migrant or BIPoC organizations were not represented at the award ceremony. While organizations that advocate for migrant women were awarded, there was no representation from "migrants for migrants". These organizations play a crucial role in the integration process as we often have first-hand knowledge of the specific needs and challenges and can respond accordingly.