“Stronger Together – 30 Years of ARBES e.V.”: Successful Conference at Europa-Park

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Working Group on Civic Engagement (ARBES), a conference under the theme “Stronger Together” was recently held at the Europa-Park Resort. Prominent figures from politics and society honored the work of ARBES members and discussed the future challenges of civic engagement in Baden-Württemberg.

30 Years of ARBES: Recognition and Exchange at Europa-Park

For the 30th anniversary of the Working Group for Civic Engagement (ARBES), volunteers, political representatives, and ARBES members gathered at Europa-Park to celebrate the achievements of the organization. The conference took place at the Hotel “Santa Isabel” and was hosted by Mauritia Mack, wife of Europa-Park owner Jürgen Mack. In her opening remarks, Mack emphasized the importance of volunteer work: “Through your engagement, you improve the quality of life for countless people. Your tireless efforts deserve the utmost respect and gratitude.”

ARBES serves as an umbrella organization for about 130 initiatives and associations across Baden-Württemberg, working to promote and strengthen civic engagement. This crucial role of the network was particularly highlighted during the conference.

Political Support and High-Profile Messages

The significance of the event and ARBES' work was underlined by the participation of several prominent figures from politics and society. Dr. Kai-Achim Klare, Mayor of Rust, attended along with Edith Schreiner, former Mayor of Offenburg and Chairwoman of the Kinderschutzbund Ortenau e.V. Toni Vetrano, former Mayor of Kehl, moderated the conference and guided attendees through the program.

In addition to the personal attendance of these political figures, written messages from high-ranking political representatives were delivered. Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, along with Manfred Lucha, Minister for Social Affairs, Health, and Integration, and Marion Gentges, Minister of Justice and Migration, all sent their greetings, emphasizing the immense value of civic engagement to society.

Inspiring Keynote by Paralympics Champion Matthias Berg

A highlight of the conference was the keynote speech by Matthias Berg, who moved the audience with his inspirational life story and views on volunteerism. Berg, who has won a total of 27 medals at the Paralympics, stressed the importance of civic engagement and encouraged the attendees to continue actively shaping society.

His speech perfectly aligned with the theme of the conference, “Stronger Together,” underscoring the unifying power of volunteer work, which brings people together to achieve common goals.

Opportunities and Challenges for Volunteerism in Baden-Württemberg

During the conference, participants discussed in depth the current opportunities and challenges of civic engagement in Baden-Württemberg. The key focus was on how to foster volunteerism in the future and create sustainable structures that ensure the continued vitality of this essential pillar of society.

Mauritia Mack highlighted the need for greater societal recognition of volunteer work. She noted that the Mack family, owners of Europa-Park, has long been committed to supporting social initiatives and actively promoting networks like ARBES.

ARBES: A Strong Network for Volunteerism

ARBES e.V. is a coalition of around 130 civic initiatives and associations operating throughout Baden-Württemberg. Over the past 30 years, the organization has established itself as a central resource for volunteer organizations, offering its members numerous opportunities for networking and exchanging best practices.

By closely collaborating with political decision-makers and other social actors, ARBES helps strengthen and develop civic engagement in the region. The anniversary conference at Europa-Park provided an ideal platform for this exchange, highlighting the vital role that ARBES members play in shaping society.

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