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Editor:
Presscouncil City of Chemnitz
Pressrelease: 748

City of Chemnitz new member of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism

Chemnitz is now a member of the European Coalition of Cities against Racism (ECCAR). In a digital members' meeting, combined with the meeting of the ECCAR Steering Committee, Chemnitz, together with the cities of Wroclaw, Roeselare, Stralsund, Terrassa, Turin, Bruges and Lampedusa, was accepted into the alliance of cities by a unanimous decision of all existing member cities present.

Lord Mayor Sven Schulze: "We have been committed to cosmopolitanism, diversity and tolerance for many years. By joining the European Coalition of Cities against Racism, together with over 160 cities from all over Europe, we are clearly demonstrating our stance: racism and right-wing extremism have no place in our city."

Membership of the alliance offers the opportunity to network, exchange experiences on programmes and measures to combat racism and right-wing extremism and also to develop joint cross-border measures and goals.

Membership of the ECCAR city alliance is based on a resolution passed by Chemnitz City Council in July 2020. In addition to a letter of intent, the application also required the creation of an overview of measures that have already been introduced in Chemnitz or can be implemented in the future. These relate to the following areas:

  • Increased vigilance against racism
  • Assessment of the local situation and municipal measures
  • Better support for victims of racism and discrimination
  • Better participation and information opportunities for citizens
  • The city as an active promoter of equal opportunities
  • The city as an employer and service provider that sustainably promotes equal opportunities
  • Equal opportunities on the housing market
  • Combating racism and discrimination through education and upbringing
  • Promoting cultural diversity
  • Racist violence and conflict management

About ECCAR:

The European Coalition of Cities Against Racism is a UNESCO initiative launched in 2004 to create a network of cities interested in sharing experiences to improve their policies to combat racism, discrimination and xenophobia. 163 cities from all over Europe are members of the alliance.