Page - 242 - in Media – Migration – Integration - European and North American Perspectives

Round Table Discussion | Worst Case and Best Practice 242 having to be customized or standardized to “one size fits all”. Does someone like to have the last word for this afternoon? Horst Pöttker A very short last word. I think what European and especially German journalists can learn from the classic North American immigration societies is to contribute to a self-definition and a self-understanding of society in which cultural homogenity is not necessary for integration. I think this is a very important point. If you look at things and if you cover events from this perspective, then you can contribute to integration as a journalist. Augie Fleras It is true. I have to agree with you that we managed to find a model in which you can live together with differences. But in order to do that you have to have a vision. You have to have a vision that everyone buys into. And if you have that vision, then these differences become supporting, become inclusive, become non-threatening. So “yes” to diversity and diversity with a coverage. Rainer, the final word goes to you as the organizer. Rainer Geißler Yes, the programme gives me the last word. And I will use it, but only for a very few remarks. We had a conference concerning central basic problems of every immigration society, the classical ones, and the modern ones in Europe. We discussed and listened for two days. Yesterday evening I expressed my thanks to our speakers and I express them again, especially to Augie as the chairman of the last session and also to the chairwoman, who has left already. But at a conference, speakers, chairmen and chairwomen need an audience who listens to them and who discusses with them. I thank all participants for their interesting contributions. People in the limelight need also people in the darkness, the invisible helpers. They have to remain in the background although they are the backbone of such a conference. They organize it, they manage it, they provide food, a wonderful lunch today, they take care of the electronics, so that PowerPoint works, they do a lot of things, which are done invisibly. I express my thanks to Angelika Schomann. (Applause) I have mentioned it several times. The last conference was in Siegen, this conference is in Dortmund and the Dortmund team did a very good job, many thanks. And many thanks also to the Siegen