Diversity as strength – vhs Frankfurt facilitates diversity competence

Frankfurt am Main is one of the most dynamic and most international cities in Germany; its citizens are connected to more than 180 different nations and the influence of diverse cultures and lifestyles. The city has set itself the task of recognising this diversity as a strength and using it as a locational advantage. But for this to succeed, intercultural understanding and appreciation of diversity must be both supported and required daily in the ‘melting pot’ on the River Main. The Frankfurt Adult Education Centre (Volkshochschule – vhs) has created its own range of offers for this purpose.

“Diversity competence is a necessary basic element. It helps us to understand others better. It generates empathy – and compassion.” Danijel Dejanović, Director of the Volkshochschule Frankfurt.

A unique range of offers for diversity competence

At the centre of the activity of the vhs Frankfurt is the conviction that dealing positively with diversity is an integral component for a strong community. Because, through cultural, social and language differences, each person brings not only new strengths, but also a variety of needs to the table. And that is exactly why it is imperative to inculcate sensitivity in order to advance collective cooperation of the citizenry in Frankfurt.

“In a city that is getting more cosmopolitan all the time, it’s important to foster mutual understanding,” says Franziska Fandrich, Programme Planner at the vhs Frankfurt. She was responsible for the offers “Diversity Competence and Racism-Critical Education,” which was first introduced two years ago at the vhs in the metropolis on the Main. According to the motto “the more we get together, the more we know about each other,” it is the declared goal of the vhs programme to bring as many different people from different cultures, traditions and lifestyles together to exchange their experiences. The result – Franziska Fandrich and her colleagues are convinced – will be that “when we come together, we will tear down barriers and build bridges.”

In order to make this bridge-building possible, the vhs team seeks direct connections to the various city neighbourhoods, conceives of events in unusual locations, or cooperates with local initiatives and associations. With these grassroots engagements, the vhs hopes to sensitise as many people as possible with regard to the topics associated with diversity. Not only will this aid the empowerment of stakeholders, but by talking directly to new target groups, it will also open an intercultural pathway for them as well.

In order to reach even more people and place the topic of “diversity” at the hub of the community, the vhs Frankfurt focused on the concept of “Frankfurt Celebrates Diversity” for the Spring semester 2024.

Frankfurt celebrates diversity – Frankfurt reveals diversity

On the programme were over 70 events and courses that deal with the various dimensions of diversity, among them are highlights like the action day “Queer bar-hopping” that took an exciting journey to five different locations in the city, as well as the sequence “Frankfurt reveals diversity” in which five chosen residents guided participants through “their” Frankfurt.

The positive reactions to the topics in focus encouraged Franziska Fandrich to keep the courses for diversity and unity in play for the future as well. The offers to come have, naturally, already been planned!

More info on "Diversity competence and racism-critical education" at the vhs Frankfurt (in German)

#zukunftsort_vhs (#futurespace_vhs) – Volkshochschule as a space for democracy

The article is part of the German Adult Education Association's www.zukunftsort-vhs.de campaign. For the super election year 2024, the association is highlighting success stories from the world of adult education centres (vhs) and showing what they are doing to defend democratic values and improve people's lives on the ground.

More stories (in German) can be found at www.zukunftsort-vhs.de