Change values: Vienna's Vice Mayor pleads for new integration approaches

Change values: Vienna's Vice Mayor pleads for new integration approaches

In the impressive backdrop of the Vienna Hofburg, representatives from different areas recently gathered to discuss a central topic: integration. Vienna's Vice Mayor Christoph Return (NEOS) gave the prelude to a convent with the urgent call to diversity. "Diversity is strength, but right -wing populists sell simplicity as ideal," he said, emphasizing the need for a value -oriented approach in dealing with immigration.

The event, in which both politicians and members of civil society and religious communities were present, aimed at holding a constructive conversation about the future of living together in the city. In doing so, returning three cornerstones of his integration vision emphasized: human dignity, pluralism and democracy. These guidelines should form the framework for a discussion that not only shows problems, but also seeks solutions.

integration as a common task

A special framework for the discussion was a performance by the poetry slammer Elif Duygu, which the present captivated with her words and provided a positive mood with a declaration of love for Vienna. The topics that appealed afterwards were profound and often challenging. He emphasized that migrants should be “with joy” in Vienna, but at the same time also provide efforts to integrate. Primarily to be mentioned here, the acquisition of language, which he considers to be essential.

recurrence also criticized problematic behaviors and trends that result from extremist tendencies. For caution, he warned of negative influences, which increasingly influence young people via digital platforms and raised the question of how to meet these challenges. "The most dangerous place is the smartphone," he said, showing the importance of active education and social participation.

»Self-appointed moral monitor are not desirable in Vienna.
Anyone who violates the rules should also bear the consequences. «

Christoph Return

Vice Mayor and City of Integration of Vienna

Especially in the area of education, problems such as bullying were discussed, which returned a crime to be taken seriously. At the same time, some demands were discussed, including the need for a better distribution of medical care, since some people would incorrectly consider hospitals as social meeting points.

variety instead of simplicity

Finally, recurrence stated that cities like Vienna, which are among the fastest growing in Europe, should also understand their diversity as strength. "Diversity means strength," says his statement, which is in a clear contrast to the views of the right -wing populists who propagate a homogeneous society.

The Vice Mayor sees the city at a crucial turning point. He warned of the risk of an authoritarian system and called on to choose the way to freedom. His urgent message at the end of the fundamental speech was: "The value convention must become a consensus", a request that indicates the need for a common basis for future integration efforts.