30 years of foreigners' advisory board Erfurt: Strong voice for integration!

30 years of foreigners' advisory board Erfurt: Strong voice for integration!

In Erfurt, the elections for the foreigners' advisory board are at the door, an important body that has been committed to the concerns of foreign fellow citizens for 30 years. On June 16, 2025, this advisory board will be re -elected and the preparations are in full swing. The Erfurt foreigners' advisory board has not only established itself as a mouthpiece for the approximately 8.7 million people without German citizenship in Germany, but also as a pioneer with regard to the political participation of migrants. The city of Erfurt was the first in the new federal states that founded such an advisory board - a sign of equal treatment and integration in society.

The foreigners' advisory board and its tasks

The foreigners' advisory board consists of people with a history of migration, representatives of the city council groups as well as various associations and associations that take care of integration work. The focus is on the topic of issues that are confronted by foreign Erfurt. Claims for the city council and the city administration are formulated. Every year a report on the situation of foreign citizens is handed over to the city leaders - an important step to draw attention to grievances and to initiate positive changes.

A concise example of the activities of the advisory board are the projects and events that are carried out regularly. The exchange between different cultures is promoted, especially during the intercultural weeks. The aim is to counteract racism and discrimination and to create a better understanding of the diverse realities of life in Erfurt.

political participation at the municipal level

Although more than 82 million people live in Germany, about 10% of them without German citizenship, the formal political participation is severely restricted for many of them. The municipal voting law is usually reserved for German citizens. EU citizens have an advantage here, because they are equivalent to German citizens in local elections and use their right to vote in about 10% of cases. But for third-country nationals- those who do not come from the EU- there is no possibility, they can only take part in foreigners and integration advisory boards. A "democratic deficit" is often noted, since it also affects participation and participation in the political processes that influence the daily life of this population.

The action length of the foreigners is certainly valuable, but their possibilities are often limited to advisory functions. Decision competence is an essential point that is often missing. Despite the existing challenges, there is hope for an expansion of municipal voting rights for all migrants in order to ensure equal participation in society.

The participation of the political landscape is crucial, not only for the migrants: inside itself, but also for the entire society in Erfurt. The future is here, and the foreigners' advisory board is actively helping to design it.

For more information, including the election modalities, the official sides of the city of Erfurt are available: erfurt.de href = "https://www.migranetz-thueringen.org/de/mitjieder-des-landesverbands/auslander advisory board-erfurt/"> migrant network thuringia and the dossier for political participation on bpb.de .