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Federal President Johannes Rau Calls for Greater Tolerance toward Immigrants (May 12, 2000)

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Immigration must not be left to chance. We need well thought-out, practical concepts which do not place too great a burden on anyone. We need the courage to do the right thing even if it is not always popular in all quarters.

We need a broad-based consensus on integration and immigration. That is why I would ask everyone with a role to play and a voice in our society to discuss the best way to achieve this objective. But it must be done in such a way that it neither stirs up fear nor awakens illusions.

We also need coordination within Europe on migration policy. However, that must not be used as an excuse not to do what can be done in our own country.

Many foreigners living in Germany are actively involved in our country: in organizations and associations, as self-employed and employers who create jobs and offer apprenticeships. For that I thank them.

I would like to say a few words of encouragement to you all:

Take part in our society – in your own districts and in schools, in trade unions or in sport clubs. Only if as many as possible play an active role in society can we make full use of the riches which can become available to us when people from different cultures live together.

I urge you to learn German! If we live together we must understand each other. Everyone who grows up in Germany or comes to live in our country must speak and understand German.

Promoting integration is a prime task for our society. We must take it very seriously. It should be so important to us that we create a legal foundation for it.

We need a discussion on how to shape immigration and what rules are required.

I would like to see a diverse and vibrant Germany – peaceful and cosmopolitan.

Working towards this is worth every effort.

What matters is not the origins of the individual but, rather, that we create a prosperous future together.



Source of English translation: Johannes Rau, “Without Fear and without Illusions: Living together in Germany.” Berlin Speech in the House of World Cultures on May 12, 2000. http://www.bundespraesident.de/en/dokumente/-,5.11962/Rede/dokument.htm

Source of original German text: Johannes Rau, “Ohne Angst und ohne Träumereien: Gemeinsam in Deutschland leben”, Berliner Rede im Haus der Kulturen der Welt am 12. Mai 2000. http://www.bundespraesident.de/Reden-und-Interviews/Berliner-Reden-,12090/Berliner-Rede-2000.htm

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