Register now: Big inclusion festival for everyone on July 6th in Cham!

Register now: Big inclusion festival for everyone on July 6th in Cham!

The second inclusion and integration festival will be held in the picturesque city park of Cham on Sunday, July 6th, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. As Florian Gruber, chairman of the Life Without Barriers (LoB) association, announced on Friday, a total of 41 institutions took part this year. At the preliminary meeting, which was attended by almost 40 representatives from various organizations, it quickly became clear: There is great anticipation throughout the district, and the festival should send a strong signal for inclusion and integration.

The first festival, which took place on June 25, 2023, had already attracted attention with 21 stands and received positive feedback. The doubling of participating institutions to 41 shows how important the topic is for both the institutions and the population. Gruber emphasized that planning was easier this year because many participants already had valuable experience. Despite certain social challenges, the message is clear: everyone should be part of the community.

Diverse offers for everyone

There will be numerous information stands and activities on the festival grounds that appeal to people of all ages. The participating organizations include the children's cancer self-help group, the Malteser, the social association VdK and the aid organization Weißer Ring. The medbo Cham and the Cham midwives will also present their services. Other highly valued groups include the Queer Cham and Kunterbunt Amberg clubs.

The little visitors are well catered for: a carousel, a bouncy castle and a cotton candy stand are waiting to make children's eyes shine. The festival is accompanied musically by the family band Eibers & Friends and various dance groups. Accompanied by so much fun and entertainment, inclusion comes to life here.

The Stadtwerke Cham is also actively supporting the festival by supporting the development of its own power grid. Important proceeds from donation boxes are passed on to local institutions such as the JUZ youth center, the Schönthal Montessori School and the Cham Alliance Against Depression. Renate Hecht, the district representative for people with disabilities, emphasized the importance of such festivals in breaking down barriers and underlined how important a sense of community is for those affected.

Legal framework and social integration

The Inclusion and Integration Festival is part of a larger trend in Germany that advocates for the rights and well-being of people in social institutions. According to the Social Code (SGB), numerous laws such as SGB IX and the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) aim to promote accessibility and inclusion. These legal frameworks create the basis for organizing events like the festival, which in many cases enable both education and intercultural exchange.

Historical developments show that inclusion is becoming more and more important. From the tradition of exclusion to integration and finally to inclusion, the road is long, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. The discourse on inclusion has changed from a purely personal to a societal perspective, in which institutions are required to open up and take individual needs into account. Through participatory planning and the involvement of residents, barriers of both a physical and social nature can be broken down.

Ultimately, the goal is to create a sense of belonging, not only among people with disabilities, but also throughout society. As the Third Participation Report 2021 shows, a commitment to inclusive coexistence can not only improve the quality of life of those affected, but also contribute to strengthening democracy.

These days, the festival shows that a strong bond for an inclusive community can be created through networking initiatives and the active participation of everyone. Everyone is invited to take part and be part of this colorful diversity.

Further information can be found at Central Bavarian, Living Quarter and Federal Agency for Civic Education.