The conference was opened by Prof Dr Hey, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Business, Economics and Social Sciences. Mr Jendricke, first deputy of the district administrator, and Mayor Wahlbuhl gave welcoming addresses and accompanied the conference. Both expressed that the city and district are in favour of all initiatives that promote integration.

All participants shared the realisation that integration cannot be a one-way street, but means living together while embracing one's own culture and religion. Mr Andreas Unruh, himself a repatriate and medical officer in Nordhausen, spontaneously said that he had never known that so many people in and around Nordhausen cared for fellow citizens from other countries who live in the town and district for a short time, e.g. as students or permanently.

At the end of a very successful conference, the exhibition "vielfalt, gemeinsamkeit, integration" by Andreas Stolberg was opened in the foyer of the lecture theatre building. It will be on display until 15 October 2004.

Press release 69/2004