Contact point for victims of discrimination

Following the city council resolution "Jena is a city against racism" from July 2020, a 10-point plan against racism is currently being developed in a participatory process with the administration. One of the first plans is already being implemented. On July 1, 2021, the independent anti-discrimination office of the city of Jena will begin its work. This makes it the first in Thuringia. Organizationally, the office is attachedto the Office for Migration and Integration.

This will create a contact point for people who have been victims of discrimination themselves or want to report discrimination they have observed. The municipal anti-discrimination office can become active if residents of Jena are affected or if the case has occurred in Jena.

Discrimination is defined as any disadvantage, exclusion or harassment due to

• racial or ethnic attribution
• Religion or ideology
• language
• age
• a physical, mental or psychological impairment
• gender
• sexual identity

The employees are bound by legal confidentiality and act independently. They offer a safe space for discussions, provide support in conflict resolution and establish contact with support services. Incidents of discrimination are documented anonymously. The anti-discrimination office will report on these publicly.

Jena has a diverse urban society that experiences difference and diversity as enrichment. People from different cultures characterize the cityscape and the working environment of companies, universities and institutes.

For Lord Mayor Thomas Nitzsche, the position is an important offer:
"The broad consensus in our civil society for tolerance is omnipresent. Should incidents of discrimination nevertheless occur, they must not be concealed and we will pursue them consistently. That is why I am asking you: Take advantage of the offer and help to strengthen Jena as a place of openness and mutual consideration."

Wilfried Röpke, Managing Director of Jena Business Development, is also concerned about this issue:

"The Economic Development Agency supports the arrival of employees with an international background with the Welcome Center's welcome service and is therefore in close contact with people who are exposed to an increased level of discrimination. We very much welcome the establishment of the Jena Anti-Discrimination Office and support it by informing those affected by discrimination and encouraging them to contact the Anti-Discrimination Office. It is important that the various forms of discrimination are dealt with by one office and that an overall picture emerges from which options for action can then be derived."

The Economic Development Agency sensitizes companies to discrimination in the world of work. This also includes information on diversity-oriented application procedures and diversity in the workplace in general. In the Welcome Blog, topics relating to arriving in Jena are described in concrete terms and good examples are communicated (www.work-in-jena.de(link is external)), which in turn can serve as a role model for others.