Mettmann celebrates the return of the Bank of Tolerance – a sign of diversity!

Mettmann celebrates the return of the Bank of Tolerance – a sign of diversity!

In Mettmann, the city community recently set an example for tolerance. On July 15, 2023, Britta Franke from Caritas handed over a newly designed “Bank of Tolerance” to Mayor Sandra Pietschmann. This bench, lovingly built and painted by the team from the Caritas volunteer center, now stands in the entrance area of ​​the citizen service and is intended to promote places of openness and integration. Mayor Pietschmann emphasized the importance of tolerance in our society and was pleased with the initiative that was launched by youngcaritas. The aim of this campaign is to make community and diversity visible through self-built benches and to create space for tolerance, which is particularly important at a time when social values ​​are often under attack.

But the story of the Bank of Tolerance also has a sad twist. In October 2022, students from the Neandertal vocational college handed over their own “Bank for Tolerance” to the city, which was initially well received and was set up in front of the town hall. Unfortunately, this bench disappeared without a trace just a few weeks after it was handed over, which not only saddened the city administration but also the students. At the time, Mayor Pietschmann expressed her regret about the theft, because the bank was a symbol of important social values. The students, led by teacher Bianca Römer, worked on this project in their free time. The bench was designed to be barrier-free to allow access for people in wheelchairs and was decorated with a large rainbow and the #platzfürtolerant logo.

A new symbol for tolerance

Months later, however, the original bench reappeared on Poststrasse damaged and could no longer be repaired. The bank's sad return highlights the challenges facing openness and inclusion projects. Those responsible now have hope that the new bank of tolerance will remain in existence and not suffer the same fate.

In view of such incidents, the importance of integration projects that are carried out as part of the federal program “Social Cohesion – On Site. Networked. Connected” becomes apparent once again. be promoted. These projects aim to improve coexistence in society and strengthen cohesion by bringing together young and old or people with and without a migration background. The Bentzen from Mettmann are an excellent example of how local commitment addresses general problems and offers solutions.

Together for tolerance

In total, there are around 200 of these special benches nationwide, which serve as places of remembrance for tolerance and community. So far, the city of Mettmann has shown a lot of commitment to supporting such projects. It remains to be hoped that the new “Bank of Tolerance” will be a long-term companion in promoting openness and integration and will become a meeting point for discussions and encounters in the city.

Anyone who has information about the whereabouts of the missing bank can contact the Caritas Volunteer Center Mettmann at any time on 79 49 37 32 or by email at fwz-mettmann@caritas-mettmann.de. Dialogue and togetherness in the city should continue to be maintained so that everyone can find their place in the common Mettmann.

Source: Super tip, Caritas Mettmann, BAMF.