Jena celebrates "10th Day of Diversity"

20 Jena stakeholders invite you to a city-wide day of action on 31.05.2022

German Diversity Day will take place for the 10th time on 31.05.2022. Jena has been taking part since 2013 and this year is celebrating the diversity of its residents with a city-wide day of action under the motto "Diversity connects" with around 20 stakeholders from Jena's integration landscape. With numerous information stands in the city center, activities and a demonstration procession through Jena's city center, participants are offered a varied program.

"Jena is colorful and diverse - and on Diversity Day, we once again want to set an example for more diversity and against discrimination and exclusion. Action days like this help to raise awareness of this important issue. But our claim is that we live diversity every day",

says Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche and emphasizes that important steps have already been taken with initiatives such as the anti-discrimination office, the 10-point plan against racism and the prize for civil courage.

"The fact that we can always rely on a broad and diverse network of partners in civil society makes us very proud as a city. This is what defines and promotes the diversity of Jena," said Nitzsche.

Action stands from Jena institutions

Diversity should be lived in the most diverse realities of life and be reflected in all aspects of life, be it in the family and social environment, in leisure time or at work. This is what the Jena institutions are promoting at their campaign stands. This year, a multi-part and decentralized rally is planned, says Maria Brückner, Intercultural Opening Office of the AWO Regionalverband Mitte-West-Thüringen e.V., describing the concept of the day of action.

"Together with initiatives and associations in Jena, we are inviting people to talk about their own attitudes and privileges and want to set a positive example for diversity. We are doing this with action stands from the Holzmarkt, via the Johannistor, along the city church and on the market."

Finally, from 17:00 - 18:00, there will be a demonstration through Jena's city center, during which all the action stands will be passed.

"The meeting point and start of the tour is Holzmarkt. We look forward to welcoming many participants",

Brückner invites all interested parties to join the parade.

The range of participating institutions successfully reflects the theme of diversity: there will be counselling services for migrants, inclusion and combating discrimination, clubs for young and old, organizations that provide information on leisure activities and careers. From sports activities to handicrafts and design activities as well as brainteasers and puzzles, all age groups can get to know the dimensions of diversity in a creative and playful way, discuss grievances and expectations, form an opinion and articulate it.

An overview of the action stands and program points can be found on the "Diversity Day" website.

Ibrahim Othman experiences every day that not everyone in Jena sees diversity as an asset. He works at an advice center for migrants and reports:

"At WeltRaum, we talk to people who experience discrimination every day. People who are employed by temporary employment agencies have particularly many difficulties."

One of the goals of the recently opened "Welcome Center Jena" is to make companies even more aware of the issue of diversity in the world of work. The aim is to create equal access to the job market for skilled workers, regardless of their cultural or social background.

"In the end, both sides benefit from this"

says Wilfried Röpke, Managing Director of the Jena Economic Development Agency.

"Among other things, diversity provides a variety of perspectives on strategic challenges, promotes innovative strength and is therefore a basic prerequisite for the sustainable and long-term success of companies,"

emphasizes Röpke.

Background to German Diversity Day

German Diversity Day takes place every year on 31.05.2022. The day of action was launched by the employers' initiative "Diversity Charter" to promote diversity in companies and institutions. This year marks the 10th anniversary of German Diversity Day (DDT).

You can find out more about German Diversity Day on the Diversity Charter website.