We set up the dialogue centre in 2015 as a direct response to the growing radicalization of young people towards Islamism. In particular, the phenomenon of young people leaving for Syria to join the militant jihad alarmed us at the time. Today, the Dialogue Center is more firmly established than ever in the Wolfsburg prevention landscape and also responds to developments in the area of right-wing extremism.

"For ten years now, our goal as a city has been to make young people capable of democracy and to protect them from supposedly easy answers," explains Lord Mayor Dennis Weilmann. "What was once a concrete reaction to Islamism is now an indispensable institution for the promotion of democracy in our city. Even if the circumstances are perhaps different today: Freedom, diversity and democracy are unfortunately not a matter of course and must be defended and protected time and time again."

Together against radicalization

Our dialog office brings people together, creates networks and facilitates encounters: Experts from youth welfare, education, security, politics, religious communities and migrant organizations work hand in hand here. Numerous workshops, lectures and materials have been created in recent years - all with one goal: to empower young people and protect them from extremist influences.

"With its networking work, the Dialogue Center promotes exchange between all those involved, provides information and carries out important prevention work," says Iris Bothe, Head of the Department for Youth, Education, Integration and Social Affairs. "In the meantime, it has established itself as a permanent municipal contact point for radicalization prevention and has built up a city-wide network with experts from youth welfare, education, security, politics and religious communities. My sincere thanks go to my colleagues for this."

Looking ahead

Even after ten years, our task remains the same: we want to empower young people - against extremism and for democracy. To this end, we give them space to help shape the future, promote intercultural understanding and focus on encounters and participation. Because we are convinced that democracy begins in everyday life - and we all bear responsibility for it.