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including hands-on report and interview with Jakob Ruster, Head of the project “NIKO Netzwerk interkulturelle Öffnung Kommunen in Bayern” in MigraNet — the Bavarian IQ Network.

Virtual concept for intercultural opening

NIKO-Online series for municipalities examines overarching themes in municipal integration work in Bavaria

Starting point/challenge

The "Netzwerk interkulturelle Öffnung Kommunen , NIKO" (Network for the intercultural opening of municipalities), part of MigraNet — the Bavarian IQ Network, has been running an annual integration conference since 2015. The event, attended on each occasion by 150 participants from the area of municipal integration work, has now established itself as a notable information and networking offer. It was not possible to hold the conference in 2020 due to coronavirus safety precautions.

A range of different online offers were created at short notice to support networking opportunities for the target groups. What was still lacking, however, was a way to virtually communicate specialist information from the integration conference.

Implementation of the NIKO-Online series for municipalities

Stakeholders at the project provider VIA Bayern e.V. needed to develop a new concept for communicating information about future- oriented topics to stakeholders engaged in integration at the municipal level. They faced a number of challenges.

As a target group, municipal administrations are extremely heterogeneous in terms of size, regional conditions and experience with integration work. This needed to be taken into account both when selecting topics and also in terms of case studies. The technology available to administration employees also greatly varies. It was likewise important that participants in video conferences did not miss out on opportunities for exchange and to ask questions.

The result was a multi-part virtual concept that addresses an overarching topic in municipal integration work. Previous topics have been "Diversity, inclusion and participation as interdisciplinary themes at the municipal level" (2020) and "Public space as places supporting a culture of openness and recognition at municipal level" (2021).

Over two to three months, those sharing their views in the eight to ten online events included speakers from academia, municipal administrations and special interest groups who examined the theme from different perspectives. Individual aspects were addressed in depth, and conceptually an even balance was struck between contributions from an academic theoretical standpoint and those from practice. It was possible to register for all or individual events. Each event lasted for around two-and-a-half hours, beginning with specialist information and then the opportunity for questions and discussions between colleagues.

Conclusion

It became clear that while municipal integration specialists are very interested in future- oriented themes, they often have too little time for professional discussion due to circumstances beyond their control. The online series is a successful and effective offer, especially in combination with regional networking and exchange concepts. In 2020 up to 50 people have participated in the individual virtual events.

Addressees for transfer:

Municipal administrations, in particular officers and specialists in the migration/integration area

NIKO-Online series for municipalities

The NIKO-Online series is a multi-part virtual concept that addresses an overarching topic from a professional and practical perspective in the area of municipal integration work. Speakers from academia, municipal administrations and special interest groups share their views and examine a topic from a range of different perspectives. An even balance is struck conceptually between contributions from an academic theoretical standpoint and those from practice. The online series enables a large number of municipal employees to be reached. The project can showcase itself to a broad audience and develop its role as a qualified network partner and local player. By addressing potential speakers, the project’s professional network is also being expanded.

Project:

NIKO Netzwerk interkulturelle Öffnung Kommunen in Bayern (Network for the intercultural opening of municipalities in Bavaria)

Provider:

Association for Intercultural Work VIA Bayern e. V.

Project contact partner:

Jakob Ruster | Landwehrstrasse 22
80336 München | +49 89 41902726
jakob.ruster(at)via-bayern.de 

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