Day of Interculturality and Diversity
Organizers Lucila Morales de Mittag and Janntje Böhlke-Itzen emphasize the importance of celebrating and fostering diversity and solidarity through a colorful Kaleidoscope Parade and diverse activities that bring the values of inclusion, tolerance, and cultural diversity to life.
What is the main message you want to convey with the Day of Interculturality and Diversity?
Lucila Morales de Mittag: The message is to celebrate our uniqueness—that we are all different, yet can live, study, and work together in our small student community. By participating in Flensburg’s Intercultural Weeks, we can spread this message even further.
Janntje Böhlke-Itzen: Exactly. It’s also important to us that both universities openly support diversity, which is connected to the right to participate and shape our community together. Diversity is a fact, and the variety of cultures, genders, identities, and even neurodiversity has long been part of daily life on campus. We think that’s fantastic and want to celebrate it.
How did the idea for the Kaleidoscope Parade develop, and what inspired this colorful, diverse highlight of the day?
Lucila Morales de Mittag: The idea for the Kaleidoscope Parade came about when I began preparing for the Day of Interculturality and Diversity earlier this summer. In June, I reached out to the University of Applied Sciences, and Nicole Horst showed great interest in collaborating. During our discussion, where we talked about the planned "Windows to the World" exhibition, Nicole said, "I have a great idea—let’s hold a parade across campus!" I loved the idea, as I had experienced something similar in Hawaii and could easily envision how it might look. We played with different names and decided on "Kaleidoscope" because it perfectly represents interculturality and diversity: different colors, shapes, sizes, and textures, constantly changing. The parade was born thanks to Nicole from the University of Applied Sciences! During the Kaleidoscope Parade, students will march from the main building of the University of Applied Sciences to the Helsinki building at Europa-Universität Flensburg, free to do what they wish—sing, dance, walk, or play music. Let’s hope they aren’t too shy and that the weather cooperates to make the parade even more joyful and vibrant.
How does the event reflect the values of the European Union, such as cultural diversity, inclusion, and tolerance?
Lucila Morales de Mittag: The event reflects the EU’s values of cultural diversity, inclusion, and tolerance by creating a new safe space where students can freely express themselves and showcase the best of their cultures. At the same time, they draw attention to issues often taken for granted. Through exhibitions, food, and performances, they not only explore their own culture but also learn from each other. This fosters understanding of diverse perspectives in the world and emphasizes that no culture is superior; each has something unique to offer. Some students work individually, others in teams, but they all participate voluntarily to share their cultures and diversity with us. The different formats provide something for everyone to experience diversity.
Janntje Böhlke-Itzen: I would add that these aren’t just EU values. With the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the importance of diversity and justice has reached the global stage and has become a prerequisite for funding in higher education, such as project grants and exchanges.
How can such events contribute long-term to promoting tolerance, diversity, and intercultural exchange on campus and in the city?
Lucila Morales de Mittag: Such events can promote tolerance, diversity, and intercultural exchange in the long run by bringing together not only students but also the citizens of Flensburg. I want to continue collaborating with the city each year, as this event creates an inclusive experience for both our students and city residents. It fosters mutual understanding and openness to other cultures and perspectives. In the long term, it helps to build bridges between the campus and the city and raises awareness of interculturality and diversity. Through exchange and celebration, the world becomes just a little bit better.
Janntje Böhlke-Itzen: I wholeheartedly agree with Lucila. The fact that both universities in Flensburg team up with the city to celebrate these values together sends an important signal. We want our campus and our entire city to be a "safe space" for the diverse people who live here. We hope this event contributes to that feeling, while we also continue to think together, with various stakeholders through formats like the "International Round Table," about how we can make this vision a reality.