Rodgau is home to people with diverse backgrounds, life paths and world views, with different interests and professions and different social statuses. The task of the municipal office for participation and diversity was to promote coexistence in this diversity. The focus here was on an acceptance-based and non-discriminatory approach to any different concerns. In this way, the Rodgau Diversity Strategy, for example, was developed with a great deal of participation from the community. The office's remit is now being restructured in terms of personnel and content. It will be located in Department 6 Social Affairs and Education, Department of Municipal Education Management. This also involves a change of name. The office is now called "Diversity and Education" and is headed by social scientist Teresa Hannig. Overall, the focus is now on the further development of the city's programmes in the areas of integration, inclusion and education, thereby also addressing current social challenges. The key to social participation and equal opportunities is education. "Participation, diversity and education naturally belong together. If we see diversity as an opportunity, enable genuine participation and understand education as a means of securing the future, we will immensely strengthen cohesion in our society," says First City Councillor Janika Martin. Education enables people regardless of origin, age, gender or social background to actively participate in social life and processes. The city of Rodgau has been gaining experience in this area with its educational programmes for years. This year's Federal Education Report shows that targeted educational work is the basis for genuine participation. Teresa Hannig will focus on the monitoring of Rodgau as an educational centre. Further and effective measures are to be derived from figures, data and facts, in conjunction with the direct exchange of educational stakeholders. The integration of the Office for Diversity and Education into municipal education management creates synergies, as the reduction of educational inequalities, individual development of potential, equal opportunities and lifelong learning are already on the agenda here. Diversity remains a central concern of the city, as it forms the foundation of an open and vibrant community. Projects such as the Rodgau integration guides or the sports coaches are well established and have a great benefit for the urban community due to the voluntary commitment. Under the umbrella of the Office for Diversity and Education, the threads are to come together, true to the guiding principle of "promoting education in order to create participation and live diversity".
