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02/18/2021 | Pressemitteilung

"Wahl.Lokal": Top candidates in Kassel discuss live and digitally on the Internet

Democracy thrives on discourse. Especially before an upcoming election. This year, however, the pandemic is having a massive impact on the local election campaign in Hesse and is changing the communication channels between citizens and local politicians. It is therefore all the more important that public debates take place that allow politicians to exchange arguments and citizens to form an opinion.

The initiative "Offen für Vielfalt - Geschlossen gegen Ausgrenzung" (Open for Diversity - Closed against Exclusion) is therefore organizing an online discussion with the leading candidates of the SPD, CDU, BÜNDNIS 90/DIE GRÜNEN, DIE LINKE and FDP in cooperation with Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schroeder, Department of Political System of the Federal Republic of Germany at the University of Kassel. The online event will be broadcast live on the Internet from 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. The politicians will not be left to their own devices: Participants will be invited to join in the discussion during the live event via a chat at .

Political scientist Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schroeder, an expert in local politics, will discuss topics such as climate protection, housing, urban mobility and educational equality with Patrick Hartmann (SPD), Dr. Michael von Rüden (CDU), Awet Tesfaiesus (Greens), Violetta Bock (Left Party) and Matthias Nölke (FDP). Does Kassel have a problem with racism and right-wing violence? Does the city, as a driving force for the region, do enough to counter this? Urgent sociopolitical questions about diversity and democratic values will also be on the moderation table.

The debate will be broadcast live on the Internet at www.kasselwaehlt.de and by the Hessisch/Niedersächsische Allgemeine (HNA) at www.hna.de. A recording of the digital discussion round is callable up to the local election on 14. March under www.kasselwaehlt.de . On www.kasselwaehlt.de already starting from coming Monday besides an analysis of the Kasseler local election programs of the university team of Professor Dr. Schroeder is available.

About the initiative "Open for Diversity - Closed against Exclusion".

In the late summer of 2018, people in Chemnitz became targets because of their origin, religion or commitment to democracy. The media spoke of "hunts", shocking videos could be seen. Together, five companies based in Kassel - Hübner GmbH, the Schaltbau Bode Group, K+S Aktiengesellschaft, Kasseler Sparkasse and Wintershall Dea - wanted to do more than express outrage in October 2018 and send a clear signal for diverse coexistence. Showing that they are committed to values such as respect, tolerance and a willingness to engage in dialog - and that business enterprises need and benefit from this diversity. Together they launched the initiative "Open for Diversity - United against Exclusion" in North Hesse. More than 30 companies and organizations, including scientific institutions and Bundesliga clubs, are currently joining forces as partners under the umbrella of the initiative. They join forces and jointly use networks. All information on "Open for Diversity" can be found at www.offenfuervielfalt.de.

Contact:
Offen für Vielfalt - Geschlossen gegen Ausgrenzung
Dagmar Krauße
Tel.: 01520 / 9375923
Tel.: 0561 / 301 25 25
kontakt[at]offenfuervielfalt[dot]de
www.offenfuervielfalt.de