Intercultural work in Dortmund

10 Steps to a better intercultural policy

Working paper of the Dortmund City Council

First step

The culture department Dortmund is initiating an intercultural exchange fair along with immigrant associations, the advisory council for immigration and other interested cultural associations to take place every year in the Dietrich-Keuning-Haus. Planned are information stands for culturally active institutions and groups/associations, specialised presentations dealing with topics in immigration, media rounds, presented cultural programme contributions  from the different cultural institutions as well as from the associations of immigrants.

Second step

The dialogue between those in charge of culture for the city of Dortmund and international associations should be intensified!
The secretariat of culture of the city and the advisory council for immigration will host an intercultural forum twice a year, in which representatives of the public- and independent cultural institutions as well as those of the immigrants participate and an exchange of views regarding common objectives and planned projects can take place. Information concerning forms and partners in the cooperation can also be exchanged.

Third step

Enhance the responsibility of the district representatives in dealing with intercultural needs at district level!
The district representatives will hold talks with the advisory council for immigration and appoint contact persons for respective cultural projects. They will open the promotion of cultural associations and cultural projects at district level, also for intercultural activities.

Fourth step

The share of intercultural offers in public-run and public-supported cultural institutions should be increased.
The cultural institutions in Dortmund will put up proposals on how to consider intercultural approaches more significantly in their programmes and how they can reach the immigrants as an audience. This should also be a matter of consideration at big open-topic events such as the theatre- and music nights.

Fifth step

The culture office will set up a workshop, which can be repeated when necessary to optimise knowledge of existing funded programmes for culture for the associations of immigrants.

Sixth step

The artistic and cultural education and support of young immigrants should be particularly encouraged.

Seventh step

- communicate information regarding aspects of the life of immigrants in Dortmund that goes beyond just social documentation.
- working together with journalists, who have immigration background
- professionally edited intercultural and multilingual newspaper supplements
- set-up of a comprehensive distributor for international media and publications by the press office of Dortmund city

Eighth step

The city of Dortmund will express its valuation to the citizens with immigration backgrounds by giving them official invitations for cultural anniversaries and special events.
The advisory council for immigration office will make the addresses of the immigrant associations and their representatives available to the cultural institutions for protocol invitations.

Ninth step

The advisory council for immigration appoints cultural representatives from its team, who engage in regular dialogue with the secretariat of culture and the culture department.
A jour fixe will be established every three months for that purpose.

Tenth step

Intercultural activities that are important for the whole city will be published on the internet platform, the central information medium of Dortmund city.
In association with the Dortmund agency, the internet platform will be examined  regarding which form and languages a permanent forum for intercultural activities can be made available, in order to improve exchange generally and also among each other.