Integration and cultural diversity; focus on racism: Too few target group-oriented offers using the example of the VHS

The Adult Education Centre Bochum (Volkshochschule Bochum, short: VHS) aims to be not only a place of learning, but also a meeting place for all Bochum residents. In order to be a meeting place for all, a broad participation of the entire population in the offers of the VHS is necessary, whether as a teacher or as a course participant. In order to reach out to those citizens in particular who have not yet made use of the services offered by the VHS, these services must be tailored to the needs of the various target groups, the services must be advertised to the public and an awareness of the need to make use of these services must be created. This is because participation in services primarily aimed at citizens with a migrant background enables these groups to participate more fully in social life of the city and in the labour market. In order to tailor the services to the target group, the concrete needs in the different neighbourhoods and population groups should be identified. On the other hand, the services should be developed and offered together with competent cooperation partners from the neighbourhoods or from the population groups themselves.