Growing up in a small German village, I hardly ever met anyone who had moved to Germany. “Integration” simply meant assimilation: people should adapt to our customs, language and ways of life.
It wasn’t until much later that I realised how one‑sided this view is. It overlooks the system that newcomers enter and the structural gaps that make belonging so hard.
My wife Katharina Olympia Wittig and my friend Dr. Tanya Keni taught me to look at integration differently. They showed me that it’s not about forcing people to fit; it’s about bridging cultural divides, making belonging visible and addressing the barriers we don’t see.
Integration is a process that involves everyone. It requires us to create digital and physical spaces where people can learn, connect and feel welcome. It’s not just a warm “Welcome” or a personal feeling – it’s a design challenge and a responsibility for our systems.
At Inside Culture Academy (ICA) we try to build those bridges. We develop digital learning platforms, provide intercultural training and work on models that make belonging teachable. We believe integration is a shared responsibility that must be reflected in our institutions, our workplaces and our communities.
Belonging doesn’t happen by assimilation alone. It happens when we rethink our structures and create spaces where everyone is invited to participate and contribute.