Nuremberg relies on diversity: New integration guidelines strengthen cohesion!

Nuremberg relies on diversity: New integration guidelines strengthen cohesion!

On September 24th, the Nuremberg City Council took a decisive step in integration policy. The continuation of the integration policy was decided with a strong majority, which once again shows the citizens how important the issue of integration is in the city. Mayor Marcus König emphasized the importance of this decision as a clear commitment to the Nuremberg Way in integration policy and emphasized that integration is a cross-sectional task that concerns all citizens.

What is particularly noteworthy is that the new guidelines recognize diversity as a location advantage in the global competition for skilled workers and workers. This element is not just lip service, but part of a welcoming culture that should be firmly anchored in Nuremberg. Almost 52 percent of Nuremberg's population has an immigrant background, making the city a colorful and diverse place that benefits from a wide range of experiences and perspectives.

Diversity as a strength

The federal government has similarly ambitious goals and is pursuing a holistic diversity strategy that is implemented in the federal administration and in companies with federal participation. The aim of this strategy is to bring about a cultural change and strengthen diversity through concrete support measures and targets. Migrant self-organizations play a crucial role here, as they are perceived as important partners in this process. This strategy is based not only on the coalition agreement of the current legislative period, but also on Article 3 of the Basic Law, which is intended to guarantee equal opportunities for all people.

Another central element of the initiative is the Diversity Charter, which was signed by all departments. This measure proves that the federal government not only looks at the issue of diversity in theory, but also implements it in practice. A National Action Plan for Integration has also produced a “Declaration for More Diversity” that specifically focuses on preventing discrimination.

Together against discrimination

As part of the decision in Nuremberg, the voluntary commitment against racism and discrimination was also expanded to explicitly include anti-Semitism. This expansion is a sign of the city's commitment to respectful coexistence. The guidelines, which were originally introduced in 2004 and most recently revised in 2018, are the result of intensive discussions between the “Integration Coordination Group” and the Nuremberg Council for Integration and Immigration.

The federal government's diversity measures are not only limited to administration, but are also aimed at recruiting personnel in a discrimination-conscious manner. In order to promote an appreciative and non-discriminatory administrative culture, training courses are intended to sharpen the understanding of diversity and discrimination. This also includes the creation of internships and shadowing programs that specifically target underrepresented groups.

Overall, the development of the integration guidelines in Nuremberg and the nationwide efforts to develop a diversity strategy show that integration is not just a political issue, but a responsibility for society as a whole. Only together can we succeed in using diversity as a strength and promoting harmonious coexistence in our complex society.

If you would like to read more about the progress in Nuremberg's integration policy, you can find out more on the city's official website: Nuremberg city portal. The website of the integration officer is a useful source of information for the nationwide diversity strategy initiatives: Integration officer.