The State Capital Stuttgart encourages the involvement of all its residents in the process of shaping our international city. The aims of Stuttgart's integration policy are:

• Equal opportunities for participation by the immigrant population in social and community life
• Making use of the cultural diversity to benefit the city's development

Around 40 per cent of Stuttgart's population is of migrant origin. This includes residents born abroad, with or without a German passport, and their children.

Equal opportunities for the migrant population are vital to successful integration and peaceful coexistence in an immigrant society. This applies in particular to a good command of the German language and to educational qualifications as well as the assurance of equal participation in professional and community life.

By promoting and utilizing the talents and potential of our migrant population, Stuttgart is also strengthening its position as an attractive location in the toughly competitive marketplace. It is due to migration that our city is able to bolster the proportion of younger population groups and so satisfy its labour demand

Stuttgart is home to people from many countries around the globe. Photo: Hass

In the autumn of 2001, the Stuttgart City Council passed a strategic paper entitled "A Pact for Integration". It includes a definition of how to most successfully work towards the peaceful co-existence of different population groups and how intercultural exchange can be promoted to the greatest benefit of the entire city. The Stuttgart Pact for Integration is a three-way union of committed individuals and institutes from

• Politics, administration and public agencies,
• Industry
• The community.

Stuttgart Pact for Integration - Further development 2007, cover page.

The Integration Policy Department is responsible for coordinating a series of innovative projects, and supports pioneering initiatives in the various urban districts. It supervises the implementation and further development of the Union, and provides advice to the city administration on intercultural issues. It also conducts the business of the City Council's International Committee.