The Integration Council

• to further promote and advance the peaceful and fruitful coexistence of different cultures in Bocholt.
• to form a forum for exchange and consultation with committed associations, institutions, companies, interest groups, citizens and the public administration.

Guiding principles

The Integration Council is committed to ensuring that colourful diversity in Bocholt is recognised by the city and its citizens as a matter of course. In the long run, it should be taken for granted that all people in this city respect and recognise each other in their differences. They do not have to explain or justify their uniqueness, they are not seen as (cultural) strangers, but as members of a community, as Bocholters.

Different ways and styles of life, provided they are in conformity with the constitution, are perceived as an enrichment of living together. In order to put these ideas on a broad basis in Bocholt, the Integration Council supports actions and events in this sense.

The Integration Council sees it as necessary to guarantee access for all Bocholters with an international family history to important resources such as upbringing, education, training, work, culture, leisure, health. Likewise, participation in the spatial and social shaping of the city should be possible for all, thus creating a common urban culture that does not draw artificial boundaries between people from different regions of the world and does not construct ethnically homogeneous groups. It is recognised that people's affiliations are diverse and have intersections with others.

"Let us join forces in the field of integration work and together welcome all new fellow citizens with the statement Bocholt for all - Welcome".