Gina Peppin

Cultural Diversity in Germany

Culture is a major aspect of how people are able to view a country. If a country is widely
diverse they are able to broaden their view and knowledge of the world. But the cultural
diversity of the country took a down turn during World War II due to its leader Adolf Hitler. But
over the years Germany has been able to recover from this devastating loss and work to increase
the biodiversity of the country.
Germany has a strong cultural background, but the background for the diversity is
slowing starting to grow. The loss of cultural diversity began in World War II. This was caused
by the Nazi ideology, meaning a persons characteristics, attitudes, abilities, and behavior were
determined by his or her so-called racial make-up (Victims of the Nazi Era, 2014). This way of
think helped to reduce much of the cultural diversity that was in Germany. And this was not only
the aspect of race but also religion. With this way of thinking the cultural diversity that was in
Germany drastically shifted. This happened due to Adolf Hitler, the Leader of Germany at the
time, views and solutions of the religious and racial diversity that was growing in Germany.
Today the cultural diversity of Germany has grown greatly. One of the main reasons why
the diversity has grown is due to globalization (Society). Because Germany has he fifth largest
economy in the world, is can be a great influence to have people migrate (The World Factbook).
By having a strong economy this helps to attract visitors and future citizens. About 1/5 of
Germanys population has some foreign roots (Make it in Germany- Society). This is because of
the great career opportunities that Germany offers. Both citizens and tourists are able to learn

and appreciate the culture that

Germany has while also
bringing their own culture into
Germany to help expand its
diversity.

Figure 1. A graph that shows the 15.3 people that live in Germany with a
migration background (zcan, 2007).

One way that Germany is helping to promote the cultural diversity is by passing the
German Diversity Charter, Charta der Vielfalt. In 2006 the charter was launched, it covers nine
fields of discrimination. These are gender, race, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, philosophy,
physical ability, age, sexual orientation and identity. This allows for people of different cultures
to continue to come to Germany and live without discrimination (The German Diversity
Charter). Another aspect that Germany is doing to help preserve its culture is by having a
Cultural Preservation Program. Since 1981 the Federal Foreign Office has supported projects
that restore historical monuments, religious buildings, or publication on the presentation of
cultural heritage (Cultural Preservation Programme of the Federal Foreign Office).

Figure 2. A German contribution to the Cultural Preservation Program helped fund the Tongan publication of "Songs and
Poems of Queen Salote"

This program if helping to support and encourage the cultural heritage that is from Germany.
With the combination of the German Diversity Charter and this program, Germany is able to
encourage new cultures to enter the country while also ensuring the protection of its own culture.
Cultural diversity has had a great impact on Germany both in the past and now. During
WWII cultural diversity was viewed negatively by the leader of Germany, so in return the
cultural diversity of the country was very low. But today, globalization has helped to grow the
diversity within Germany. And thats to the Geman Diversity Charter and the Cultural
Preservation Program both the German heritage and new cultures are able to thrive within
Germany.

Citations
Cultural Preservation Programme of the Federal Foreign Office. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5,
2015, from
http://www.wellington.diplo.de/Vertretung/wellington/en/07/Cultural__Preservation__Progra
me/Cultural__Preservation__seite.html
Make it in Germany - Society. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.make-it-in
germany.com/en/for-qualified-professionals/discover-germany/introduction-to
germany/society

zcan, V. (2007, May 1). Einfhrung. Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://focus
migration.hwwi.de/Germany.1509.0.html?&L=1
Society. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from http://www.tatsachen-ueber
deutschland.de/en/society/main-content-08/german-society-modern-pluralist-and-open
minded.html
The German Diversity Charter. (2015, April 8). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from
http://ec.europa.eu/justice/discrimination/diversity/charters/germany_en.htm

Victims of the Nazi Era: Nazi Racial Ideology. (2014, June 20). Retrieved August 5, 2015, from
http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/article.php?ModuleId=10007457