Statement on Verbal Escalations on Social Media Regarding the Music Selection for the 2026 Bergkirchweih

For respect. Against denigration and fake news.

In the Erlangen Declaration for Diversity, Respect, and Tolerance, we, the signatories, have committed ourselves, among other things, to the following stance: “We respect freedom of expression within its legal limits. In the event of differences of opinion, we advocate for a constructive, respectful exchange on an equal footing.”

We have expressly committed ourselves to respect, appreciation, and fair coexistence. This stance is particularly important when social debates are conducted in a controversial manner.

Regardless of differing opinions, our principle is this: No one should be the target of hate, hostility, or discriminatory communication. This also applies when people are fulfilling a legal and political mandate, such as gender equality.

We condemn any form of disrespectful communication—both online and offline. A clear line has been crossed, especially when individuals are publicly shamed, insulted, or threatened. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward discriminatory and inhumane behavior.

As signatories, we reaffirm that we will take a stand, assume responsibility, and speak out when respect, fairness, and human dignity are called into question or violated—objectively, clearly, and in solidarity.

• We advocate for respectful and objective dialogue.

• We condemn discriminatory, demeaning, and intimidating communication.

• We maintain a zero-tolerance policy toward hate and personal attacks.

• We say NO to fake news and disinformation.

For us, appreciation, integrity, and respect are not mere lip service, but a shared commitment. Especially in times of increasing polarization and heated debates, we need people who take a clear stand for fairness and constructive dialogue.

This is what we stand for together as signatories of the Erlangen Declaration on Diversity, Respect, and Tolerance.

Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg

Zonta Club Erlangen

Center for Independent Living for People with Disabilities, Inc.

Grandmas Against the Right, Erlangen

Erlangen State Technical High School and Vocational High School

Volt Erlangen

Advice for Social Justice

Erlangen State Vocational School

HI ERN Erlangen-Nuremberg

GEWOBAU Erlangen

Das Lamm muss laufen! e.V. / Association for the Promotion of Cinema Culture in Erlangen

Erlangen Free Store

ZAM / Center for Exchange and Creation

Nature Friends of Germany, Erlangen Chapter e.V.

City of Erlangen

Greens/Green List City Council Caucus

Scout Support Association of Northern Bavaria, Inc.

Evangelical Lutheran Deanery of Erlangen

Erlangen City Youth Council

Erlangen Music Workshop, Inc.

Anger Initiative, Inc.

Grandmothers Against the Right, Erlangen-Middle Franconia

Erlangen Advisory Board for Foreigners and Integration

E-Werk Cultural Center, Erlangen

Montessori Education Erlangen, Inc.

Erlangen Women’s Crisis Hotline

International Federation, Inc.

Child Care Facilities, Erlangen City Youth Welfare Office

Evangelical Education in Erlangen

Path of Peace Among Religions, Erlangen

Erlangen Women’s Center, Inc.

ATSV 1898 Erlangen e.V.

Partnership for Democracy, Erlangen

Education Officer for KEB MittenInFranken e. V.

Bavarian Youth Sports Association, Erlangen

Open Door Erlangen

Amnesty International Group 1070 Erlangen

Evangelical Reformed Church Congregation of Erlangen

Fridericianum High School, Erlangen

Brücken e.V., Erlangen

FDP City Council Caucus

SPD Caucus, Erlangen

Child Protection Association (KV Erlangen e.V.)

CSU City Council Caucus, Erlangen

Catholic Pastoral Care District of Erlangen

Europakanal Hospital

Erlangen Left Party Caucus

Albert Schweitzer High School

#MakeYourTownQueer, Inc.

Teilerei Erlangen

Erlangen Autonomous Women’s Shelter

Erlangen City Association of Cultural Organizations, Inc.

Chorus Association 1847 Erlangen

Why an “Erlangen Declaration” in the first place?

Today, Erlangen is a modern, diverse, and vibrant city. Every day, people in numerous organizations work to strengthen our sense of community. Through the active engagement of civil society, the business community, and public institutions, our city contributes to a democracy that is lived out in practice and to sustainability. These stakeholders want to work together to champion a vibrant, democratic, and diverse community.

The Values

Fundamental to this are the dignity of every human being, fundamental and human rights, the rule of law, and freedom of expression within legal boundaries. Added to this is the pursuit of social justice and a life free from discrimination for all people. This is underpinned by: respect for the diversity of human identities; equal opportunities and avenues for participation; and support based on solidarity.

The Goals

The signatories actively embody these values within their organizations and advocate for them externally.

Collaboration

The Erlangen Declaration provides a network for learning with and from one another through mutual exchange. Together, effective measures can be developed to make Erlangen’s urban community an even better place to live for everyone.

In principle, the Erlangen Declaration is open to all organizations based in Erlangen that identify with its values and goals and are interested in collaborating. Companies, associations, research institutions, and groups are welcome to join the network.

If you would like to sign the Erlangen Declaration, you can fill out the expression of interest form here.

Expression of Interest Process:

New organizations are communicated to the network of signatories at regular intervals. In the event of concerns raised by existing signatories, an internal clarification committee may be convened to confidentially deliberate on and decide regarding the individual case.

Individuals are not eligible to participate. Organizations classified as confirmed extremist groups by the Bavarian State Office for the Protection of the Constitution or the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution are excluded from signing.

The following organizations have already signed the “Erlangen Declaration”:

A ADFC Erlangen / Erlangen-Höchstadt Regional Chapter, Amnesty International Erlangen, Angerinitiative e. V., Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund Erlangen-Höchstadt Regional Association e. V., Medical Society for Health Promotion e. V., ATSV 1898 Erlangen e.V., Advisory Board for Foreigners and Integration, AWO Erlangen-Höchstadt District Association e.V., Aktion Courage, Albert Schweitzer High School Erlangen

B Erlangen Women’sEmergency Hotline , ZAM e.V. Operating Association, Evangelical Education, Bavarian Red Cross Erlangen-Höchstadt, Brücken e. V., Erlangen Association for Freedom of Thought (K.d.ö.R.), BDKJ Erlangen, Bavarian Sports Youth (BSJ) Erlangen/Höchstadt District Youth Leadership, BUND Youth Bavaria Youth Group “Umsonstladen” Erlangen, Kriegenbrunn Citizens’ Singing Society

C CSU ErlangenDistrict Association , Chorverein 1847 Erlangen

D Umbrella Organization of Erlangen Youth Clubs, DGB Erlangen/Höchstadt District Association, Die Teilerei, Diakonie Erlangen, Third World Shop Erlangen e.V., Durga Puja Franken e.V.

E EFIE e. V., Eichendorff School Erlangen, ELIA Congregation Erlangen, ESTW – Erlanger Stadtwerke AG, Erlanger Linke, Erlanger Music Workshop e.V., Erlanger Dance House e.V., Evangelical Lutheran Deanery of Erlangen, Evangelical Reformed Church of Erlangen

F Fachdienst Access – Inclusion in the Workplace, fairlangen.org, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg, Framatome GmbH, Erlangen Women’s Center e.V., Path of Peace Among Religions, FDP City Council Members of Erlangen, F.W.G. Free Voters’ Association of Erlangen, Research Advisory Board for Palliative Care in Erlangen, Family and Senior Care GmbH Erlangen, Montessori Erlangen Support and Friends Association e.V.

G Erlangen-CityDistrict Association of Alliance 90/The Greens, GEWOBAU Erlangen Housing Association of the City of Erlangen mbH, Erlangen-Büchenbach Elementary School, Pestalozzi Elementary School, Fridericianum High School

H Helmholtz Institute Erlangen-Nuremberg for Renewable Energies

I Indian Community Franconia e.V., Internationaler Bund Erlangen e.V., International Women’s Group

J Jakob-Herz School, Jewish Community, Youth Parliament, Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe e.V. Middle Franconia Regional Association – Erlangen Local Chapter

K Catholic Pastoral Care District of Erlangen, KEB MittenInFranken e.V. – Education Officer for the City of Erlangen, Erlangen Child Protection Association, Thomizil Children’s Center, Klimaliste Erlangen, Klinikum am Europakanal, Erlangen Cosmetic Institute, E-Werk Cultural Center

L Lebenshilfe Erlangen, “Das Lamm muss laufen!” e. V.

M #MakeYourTownQueer e. V., Max and Justine Elsner School, Montessori Education Erlangen e. V., Mönau Elementary School Erlangen, Mothers’ and Families’ Meeting Place Erlangen e. V., Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Light, MEI Meds Erlangen International GmbH

N Nägel Ideen & Events GmbH & Co. KG, Friends of Nature Germany, Erlangen Chapter e.V.

O Open Door Erlangen, ÖDP Erlangen, Grandmas Against the Right Erlangen, GRANDMAS AGAINST THE RIGHT Erlangen – Middle Franconia, ORFO GmbH

P Paritätischer Wohlfahrtsverband, Mittelfranken Regional Association e. V., Partnership for Democracy Erlangen, Staff Council of the Erlangen Job Center, Scout Support Association of Northern Bavaria e.V., Erlangen-Stadt Police Precinct

R Council for Social Justice Erlangen, Realschule am Europakanal

S SCHACHZUG – Agency for Brand Communication GmbH, Siemens AG Works Council Erlangen G, City of Erlangen, Erlangen City Youth Council of the Bavarian Youth Council (K.d.ö.R.), Erlangen-Höchstadt-Herzogenaurach City and District Savings Bank, Erlangen SPD Caucus, Erlangen State Vocational School, Erlangen State Technical High School and Vocational High School, Erlangen / San Carlos City Partnership Association, e.V., Erlangen City Association of Cultural Organizations, e.V., Erlangen Senior Citizens’ Advisory Council

T Turnverein 1848 Erlangen e. V.

U Uniklikum Erlangen

V VdK Erlangen-HöchstadtDistrict Association , Volt Erlangen, VR TeilhaberBank Nuremberg Metropolitan Region eG – Erlangen Branch

W Green ListVoters’ Association, Erlangen Waldorf School, wabe Association for the Reintegration of People with Mental Illness e. V.

Z Zonta Club Erlangen, ZSL Erlangen e. V.

The Erlangen Declaration is also supported by:

Café Villa, Evangelical Lutheran Parish of St. Mary Magdalene, Erlangen-Tennenlohe, Evangelical Lutheran Parish of Erlangen-Innenstadt, Evangelical-Lutheran Parish of St. Markus, Technical College, Kunstpalais, Frankenhof Culture and Education Campus, Schauspiel Erlangen, Municipal Neighborhood Centers, Municipal Marie-Therese High School, Municipal Erlangen School of Business, City Youth Social Work and Youth Services, City Child Day Care Facilities, City Facilities for Strengthening Families, Erlangen City Archives, Erlangen City Library, Erlangen City Museum, vhs Erlangen

Kickoff Event in March

The fact that we can send this important message is of particular significance for our work. To kick things off, the Office for Equal Opportunity and Diversity developed initial content. At a kickoff event in March with over 50 participants, the preliminary concept was presented and further refined by the participants, who brought extensive expertise on diversity issues to the table.

Diversity Conference in May

Building on these results, the participants continued the process at the Erlangen Diversity Conference on May 23, 2025. In three different workshops, they worked through open questions regarding the declaration and the work of the future network.

Drafting the Text and Designing the Logo

Since then, an editorial group comprising local organizations has been working on the text of the declaration. Once the draft was finalized, Lebenshilfe developed a version in plain language. You can find that version below.

The logo and design of the Erlangen Declaration were developed by Schachzug GmbH:

ERLANGEN DECLARATION ON DIVERSITY, RESPECT, AND TOLERANCE

Plain Language Version

Introduction

Erlangen is a large and modern city. Many different people live here together. They come from different countries and cultures. These people work together in many areas—for example, in companies, schools, and at the university. Many organizations are also active in Erlangen. All of this makes life in Erlangen a good one.
In Erlangen, everyone should be able to find a home. It doesn’t matter where someone comes from. It also doesn’t matter how much money someone has. And it doesn’t matter how he or she lives.
Everyone should live well together. The city wants to help make that happen.
The city, businesses, and residents are committed to the well-being of the community. Erlangen has a motto: “Open by Tradition.” This means the city has long been open to everyone. Erlangen embraces diversity.

We promise: We live, learn, and work together in Erlangen. We do so with respect, tolerance, and appreciation.

These principles are important to us in everything we do:

Every person has dignity. This means: Every person has the same rights. These rights must be protected.

Everyone has the right to express their opinion: We should speak to one another in a friendly and respectful manner. Sometimes disagreements arise. In such cases, we should always strive to find a mutual solution.

Diversity is valuable: Many different people live in Erlangen:

• They have different stories.
• They come from different countries.
• They are of different ages.
• They love whomever they choose.
• They live their lives their own way.
• They have different amounts of money.
• They are of different genders.
• They have different religious beliefs.
• They have limitations or disabilities.
• They have different opinions.

Equal opportunities for all: Everyone should have the same opportunities. Everyone should be able to participate and be included.

No one should experience discrimination. Discrimination means that someone is treated badly because they are different.

We fight against discrimination and exclusion. When someone is discriminated against, we help.

Our Goals

With this statement, we want to achieve the following together:

• All people must be treated equally. We are committed to ensuring this within our own organizations. We are dedicated to identifying and preventing discrimination.
• We want to work with others who share these goals.
  That way, we can learn from one another and achieve more together.
• We also want to promote our principles to the outside world. And we will defend these principles when necessary.
  

Our Collaboration

We work together because we want to:

• We want there to be more diversity, respect, and tolerance.
• People should treat one another with kindness. That’s why we work together:
• within our organization and throughout the city of Erlangen.
• We want to learn from one another. We want to support one another.
  This helps us do the right things.
• We want to share ideas so that Erlangen becomes an even better and more livable
  .
• We want to share our different opinions.
  This allows us to understand one another better and get along more easily.

ERLANGEN DECLARATION ON DIVERSITY, RESPECT, AND TOLERANCE

PREAMBLE

The Huguenot city of Erlangen has evolved into a modern, diverse, and vibrant metropolis.
Every day, people in numerous organizations work to strengthen our shared community.
As a hub for innovation and science, Erlangen is characterized by small businesses, internationally renowned corporations, research, a vibrant community life, civic engagement, and much more.
Erlangen aims to offer a home and a future to all people, regardless of their background, social, or economic status. Through the active engagement of civil society, the business community, and public institutions, our city contributes to democracy in action and sustainability.
As signatories, we see Erlangen’s city motto, “Open by Tradition,” as both a historical and forward-looking commitment: Our aspiration is to live, learn, and work together in diversity, with respect, tolerance, and mutual appreciation.

OUR VALUES

We are convinced that a vibrant, democratic, and diverse society is built on the following pillars:

• We protect the inviolable dignity of every human being, fundamental and human rights, and the rule of law.
• We respect freedom of expression within its legal boundaries. In the event of differences of opinion, we advocate for a constructive, respectful exchange on an equal footing.
• We value the diversity of human identities and life paths as an enrichment. Diversity encompasses various characteristics, such as age, ethnic origin and nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, impairments and disabilities, religion and worldview, and social background. Every person is shaped in many ways by these characteristics.
• We strive for equal participation, equal opportunities, and a life free from discrimination for all as the foundation for social justice.
• We stand against discrimination and exclusion. We support people who experience discrimination and stand in solidarity with them.

OUR GOALS

With the “Erlangen Declaration,” we, the undersigned, reaffirm our shared stance:

• We are committed to upholding and realizing these values. Within our organizations, we aim to actively embody them as a framework for action and conduct. To identify potential instances of discrimination and violations, prevent them, and intervene when necessary, we will implement measures appropriate to our respective organizations.
• Through dialogue and collaboration with other signatories, we aim to strengthen these values and deepen and further develop our shared understanding of them.
• Externally, we aim to actively advocate for these values and, when necessary, protect and defend them.

OUR COLLABORATION

Through our collaboration, we aim to contribute to greater diversity, respect, and tolerance—among ourselves and throughout the city of Erlangen. To achieve this, this declaration provides us with

• a strong network for learning with and from one another, in which we motivate each other to take action.
• a space for exchange to make our actions, our organizations, and our urban community even more livable for everyone—for example, by jointly developing effective measures.
• a space for conversation and discussion, where we draw on our different viewpoints and experiences to broaden our own perspectives.