Carmen Stadelhofer was awarded the Order of Merit of Baden-Württemberg
On Friday, April 19, 2024, Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann awarded 22 personalities with the Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg in Stuttgart (Germany). Among them was the Director of ILEU e.V. Carmen Stadelhofer (76).
“Her name is also inextricably linked with the Center for General Academic Continuing Education at Ulm University (ZAWIW). As Managing Director and Academic Director, she is considered a pioneer in the field of lifelong learning. She was quick to focus on the digitalization of society in relation to older people. She is also committed to social participation and dialog across generations and borders. This applies in particular to the Danube region. She initiated the “Danube Networkers”, a European informal education network, and is a co-founder and board member of a civil society platform in the Danube region. Numerous projects, some of which have received top-class awards, such as „The wanted Danube“, are thanks to her. During the coronavirus pandemic, she initiated digital meeting formats for low-threshold cultural exchange. Carmen Stadelhofer also campaigned for Ukrainian refugees in the greater Ulm area under the motto “Together in Ulm”, according to the award.
In his speech, Minister-President Kretschmann emphasized: “Freedom and responsibility belong together”. In a democratic state, in a liberal society, it is crucial that people take on responsibility of their own free will, that citizens use their freedom and opportunities to shape their community themselves.” After all, we owe our country’s cohesion, prosperity, progress and social temperature in our country are primarily due to the free and responsible work of people.
“The people honored today are among them in a special way. They have
with their achievements, their commitment, their talents and their personality, their professional ethos and understanding of their office for our community and Baden-Württemberg,” emphasized Kretschmann. They are role models through their special achievements.” (SWP)
Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg
The Order of Merit of the State of Baden-Württemberg – until June 2009 the “Medal of Merit” – is awarded by the Minister-President for outstanding services to the state of Baden-Württemberg, particularly in the political, social, cultural and economic fields. The Order of Merit is usually awarded once a year as part of a ceremony. The number of recipients is limited to a total of 1,000 living persons. Since 1975, the Order of Merit has been awarded to a total of 2,052 people. An award can be requested, for example, from mayors’ offices, district offices or directly from the Minister-President.
All groups of the population and all areas of the country should be considered as equally as possible. The Order of Merit is in the form of a stylized cross with a medallion in the middle, on which the large state coat of arms with the lettering Baden-Württemberg is depicted. It is worn on a folded ribbon in the state colors. Instead of the order, a black and yellow rosette or a miniature can be worn, which are also presented. In addition to the insignia of the order, the recipients also receive an award certificate signed by the Minister-President. In addition, the new recipients of the State Order of Merit will in future receive a pass entitling them and an accompanying person to permanent free admission to the state museums, the Center for Art and Media and numerous objects of the State Palaces and Gardens in the state. In addition to this group of people, those who have been awarded the state’s Rescue Medal will also receive a corresponding pass from this year onwards.
Information on Carmen Stadelhofer’s fields of activity