Liz Mohn receives Germany's Great Cross of Merit

Liz Mohn

Photografer: Arne Weychardt, Hamburg

"Liz Mohn has achieved numerous successes in her own life, but her efforts for helping those who have been less successful remain one of her highest priorities," Rüttgers said in presenting the award, one of Germany's highest honors, in Düsseldorf. Mohn has been active at the Bertelsmann Stiftung since 1984, primarily dedicating her efforts since 2005 to the areas of health, social affairs and culture. One of her other focus areas has been using music and culture to increase tolerance and understanding among cultures. As part of those efforts she launched the "Neue Stimmen" International Singing Competition in 1987.   In his presentation speech, the NRW premier also emphasized Mohn's involvement in various institutions such as the Verband Deutscher Musikschulen (Association of German Music Schools), which supports up-and-coming musical talent, and the Liz Mohn Foundation for Culture and Music.   Rüttgers also cited Mohn's participation in various organizations such as the Stiftung Kunst und Kultur des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (Foundation for the Arts and Culture of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia), the World Childhood Foundation and the Jerusalem Foundation.   He also recognized the work carried out by the Deutsche Schlaganfall-Hilfe (German Stroke Foundation). Founded by Mohn and financed by donations, the organization now has an endowment of almost €50 million, largely thanks to Mohn's efforts. In addition, Mohn serves as patron of the Joint and Bone Decade's German network, an organization set up to combat musculoskeletal disorders, one of the major disease groups worldwide.   Finally, Mohn is also active in Stiftung RTL -- Wir helfen Kinder (RTL Foundation -- We Help Children), where she helps select the projects that receive support. In recent years the foundation has collected €71 million on behalf of programs designed to help socially disadvantaged children.