"Landtag local" in Beckum
State parliament presidium promotes democracy and voluntary work
André Kuper, President of the North Rhine-Westphalia state parliament, and his Vice Presidents Rainer Schmeltzer and Christof Rasche took a whole day to visit Beckum.
The strong roots of our democracy lie where citizens meet in everyday life, where they live together and help to shape urban society. The state parliament reaches out to local people and encourages those who are committed to their local communities. State policy is created through direct dialogue between members of parliament and the people of our state. The decisions of the state parliament shape our everyday lives when it comes to schools, daycare centres, the police or the environment," says André Kuper, President of the state parliament.
The programme for the guests from Düsseldorf started with talks in schools in Beckum: "Landtag macht Schule" (Parliament goes to school) is aimed at pupils of all ages. At the Mitte primary school, the Albertus Magnus grammar school and the Rosa Parks comprehensive school, members of the Presidium answered questions about current politics, how democracy works and their work in the state parliament. The state parliament provided information about its work in interactive exhibitions.
The afternoon of the visit to Beckum was dedicated to the democracy school for integration course participants and volunteering. During visits to the initiatives "Anders ackern", "Be-lebt" and "BE Ukraine", the state parliament presidium got to talk to the volunteers. The day culminated in an evening reception for volunteers in the foyer of the municipal theatre. After the Presidium signed the town of Beckum's Golden Book, André Kuper presented the "Be Ukraine" team with the State Parliament's Medal of Honour in the presence of Mayor Michael Gerdhenrich.
Both emphasised how important volunteering is for social cohesion as a whole and praised the special commitment of "Be Ukraine".
BE Ukraine was born out of necessity and has grown incredibly quickly. You have already helped countless people in need, and you have done so in an extremely energetic, creative and professional manner. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in your organisation," said the mayor in his welcoming speech.
Today has shown how Beckum is perceived from the outside. He continued: "I was reinforced in my conviction that we are extremely well positioned in terms of volunteering. And I am very pleased that this is also recognised at state level!"
A video of the award ceremony as part of the reception can be found on our social media channels:
Social media channels of the city of Beckum
Local parliament
Every year, more than 100,000 visitors come to the parliament building in Düsseldorf for the state parliament's visitor programmes and events. "Landtag macht Schule" is a successful programme in which the Presidium engages in dialogue with more than 50,000 children and young people at home in the state's schools. With "Landtag lokal - Demokratie vor Ort", the State Parliament Presidium strengthens the presence of parliament in North Rhine-Westphalia and takes up impulses from society for the work of the members of parliament.
"We are living in a time in which our parliamentary democracy and its values are under attack from within and without. As democrats, we must counter these attacks with a strong message of cohesion - where democracy grows and thrives: in our families and circles of friends, on our doorsteps and in our neighbourhoods," says Parliamentary President André Kuper.
"Landtag lokal" started as a pilot programme in the constituencies of the Presidium members and visited the cities of Cologne, Erwitte, Lünen, Höxter (including the State Garden Show), Werdohl, Schloß Holte-Stukenbrock and Monschau in 2023. The visit to Beckum was the first appointment of "Landtag lokal" in 2024. The next appointment will take place on 24 June in Ennepetal. Visits to Lennestadt, Windeck and Willich will follow.