Companies in the region promote openness to the world and diversity

Companies from Jena and the region are taking a clear stand for cosmopolitanism and intercultural teams in a campaign by the Jena Economic Development Corporation (JenaWirtschaft). Today saw the launch of a communication campaign with posters, large billboards, social media and - in the long term - a corresponding image film. At the same time, the "i-work Intercultural Company Award 2024" competition was launched at the exchange of experiences for companies.

"Open-mindedness and diversity in the team are important building blocks to ensure that companies in Jena and the region can continue to develop well. Our economic prosperity depends on whether we manage to attract international skilled workers to companies in the Jena region,"

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

"We want to encourage companies of all sectors and sizes to show their own commitment to these goals and are delighted to be launching our campaign together with six entrepreneurs from Jena and the region."

On posters, on the business development website and in social media posts, the so-called "testimonials", i.e. "advocates", describe the benefits that intercultural diversity has brought to their companies.

For Stephanie Hänsch, Managing Director of the digital company Accenture in Jena, an international atmosphere in the digital economy has long been a basic prerequisite for successful work:

"For us, it goes without saying that people from all parts of the world develop efficient solutions together. The cultural diversity in our team also enables us to interact more consciously with our customers from all over the world. Our international team members know special expressions and behaviors and can communicate in a targeted and sensitive manner."

Bettina Limpert, Managing Director of Active Fiber Systems GmbH, also sees similar advantages and gave important impulses for successful cooperation in international teams at the i-work community network meeting:

"Regardless of the origin of the individual, social interaction within the team must be the top priority. The internationalization of the workforce has a positive effect on everyone. On the team itself, and also on the approach to challenges of all kinds."

People develop a broad understanding of each other - this enriches the company in all facets, says Limpert.

Anke Siegmeier, Managing Director of the photonics network OptoNet e.V. and jury member of the i-work Intercultural Business Award, also sees intercultural commitment as a decisive factor in the attractiveness of Jena as a business location:

"The regional economy, especially the high-tech companies, has a strong international orientation and is integrated into global markets with an export rate of over 70 percent. In order to continue to grow successfully in the manufacturing industry, companies and we as a society must actively promote intercultural diversity in the team and take a stand on values such as cosmopolitanism and tolerance."

At JenaWirtschaft's first i-work community event on Thursday, company representatives shared their experiences on key internationalization topics and strengthened their joint commitment to cosmopolitanism and diversity. This commitment is also honored each year by the intercultural company award i-work, which has been awarded by JenaWirtschaft since 2017. "We are delighted that we are now launching the next round of the competition and hope that numerous companies from Jena and the region will once again apply," says Wilfried Röpke. The cities of Hermsdorf, Kahla and - a new addition in 2024: Stadtroda - are official partners of i-work, demonstrating that cosmopolitanism and diversity are also important issues beyond Jena's city limits.

The award is intended to show how actively companies are shaping intercultural diversity at a regional level. Even small steps along this path are recognized, according to the head of JenaWirtschaft. After all, cosmopolitanism and diversity must remain the strengths of the location - only with these values can a sustainable working world be created.

All information about the campaign and i-work 2024 HERE.