Jena sets an example against racism

Jena is against any form of racism, hostility, insults or exclusion that people have to experience in their everyday lives. This is the clear message of the #JenaSchauHin campaign, which was launched today in the historic town hall.

The campaign is one of many measures being implemented as part of the ten-point action plan. This plan was the basis for Jena's accession to the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism, ECCAR for short. The city council decided in June 2020 that Jena should become a member of this European coalition of cities against racism.

"Although our urban society is constantly committed to diversity, progress, growth and togetherness, racism is by far the most common form of discrimination reported in Jena," says Kathrin Bajohr from the Office for Migration and Integration, where the first municipal anti-discrimination office in Thuringia was set up in July 2021.

The motifs of the current campaign are based on their work. It is an exemplary selection of racially motivated discrimination and hostility that people in Jena have experienced. The photo collages do not show the people actually affected, but the incidents - whether in education, when shopping or when looking for an apartment - are reproduced on the campaign website exactly as they were reported to the anti-discrimination office.

Making everyday racism visible

The #JenaSchauHin campaign aims to give a voice to those affected by everyday racism, raise awareness of racism and encourage people to take a clear stance against it.

"We call on people to recognize racism, name it and stand up against it," says Bajohr on behalf of everyone involved in the campaign.

This also includes the members of the Migration and Integration Advisory Board, who are involved in the entire process from concept to implementation. Another aim of the campaign is to draw the attention of those affected to the possibility of contacting the anti-discrimination office in the event of incidents.

17.3 percent of Jena's population have a history of migration. In 2011, this figure was only 8.3 percent and has more than doubled since then. This makes it all the more important to stand up for a diverse, courageous and supportive Jena, according to the initiators of the campaign.

Lord Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche said: "Jena stands for cosmopolitanism and diversity. Our broad commitment against racism and discrimination, Jena's strong civil society, which is also involved in the Round Table for Democracy, and not least our coming to terms with our NSU past were reason enough to include Jena in the coalition of cities against racism. Joining is an incentive for us to continue to raise awareness and educate people about everyday racism. Because one thing is clear to us: there is no place for racism and exclusion in Jena."

In addition to posters and banners around the city and social media posts, there will also be training for city administration employees and an empowerment workshop for those affected. Whether at the Day of Diversity or the International Week against Racism - wherever the Office for Migration and Integration gets involved in the near future, various campaign items will be distributed - from postcards to cooling pads. Interested parties can download materials to print out for their own events from the website. Organizers who are planning their own events on the subject of anti-racism can register them so that they appear on the campaign website. The Anti-Discrimination Agency also offers support and materials to borrow, such as banners or roll-ups. The first phase of the campaign, which has now been launched, will be followed by a second phase in September to commemorate Enver Şimşek.

The background

June 2020 - City Council resolution 20/0372-BV: City of Jena becomes a member of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism

September 2020 - Mayor's decision: municipal anti-discrimination office (opening 6/2021) starts work and organizes ECCAR membership

December 2021 - City Council resolution 21/1108-BV: Adoption of the 10-point action plan (basis for ECCAR membership)

June 2022 - Admission of the city of Jena to the European Coalition of Cities Against Racism (ECCAR)

September 20 22 - Steering group for the 10-point action plan begins work, close monitoring of the development of the anti-racism campaign (objectives, concept selection, discussion of motifs, hashtag)

12.3.2024 - Launch of the anti-racism campaign

Von links: Moderator Alexander Krampe, Oberbürgermeister Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Rea Mauersberger, Dr. Daniel Egbe, Seyed M. R. Nazari (alle drei vom Migrations- und Integrationsbeirat) und Integrationsmanager Andreas Amend. © Stadt Jena