Elternnetzwerk NRW - Integration miteinander e. V.

Empowerment, participation and equal opportunities

The Elternnetzwerk NRW was founded in the early 2000s by committed parents from migrant self-organizations and in cooperation with the North Rhine-Westphalian state government in order to bundle the interests of parents with a history of immigration and give them a stronger voice in education-related issues. Since then, the association has made the interests of people with a history of immigration visible, thus enabling improved participation in social processes.

The Familienportal.NRW asked the NRW Parents' Network to briefly present its work, goals and commitment.

What are the goals of the NRW Parents' Network?

As a recognized parents' association, the NRW Parents' Network is committed to fair participation, educational equality and equal opportunities for families with a history of immigration. Our aim is to create a spirit of solidarity in which origin and status are not barriers. We promote parental empowerment, strengthen migrant self-organizations and effectively represent the interests of families in politics and society.

Who is the association addressing?

We are aimed at parents and families with a history of immigration, migrant self-organizations and anyone who wants to promote participation, diversity and educational equality. Our services are open to committed people who want to contribute their skills and make their concerns visible. We offer families support, networking and spaces to actively shape society.

How are parents and families supported?

We support families and associations with advice, training and projects that enable participation, promote empowerment and provide confidence to act. One example is our "Parents get involved" project, which prepares parents in NRW for their involvement in nurseries and schools. Here, we rely on the exchange of experiences between parents and the support of trained parent moderators who strengthen self-help structures.

What are the three most pressing issues at the moment?

Equality in education remains our most important task: parents should have equal opportunities for their children.
Equally important is the strengthening and professionalization of migrant self-organizations and voluntary work so that structures remain sustainable in the long term.
We are also committed to equal participation in society and making the diversity of our society visible.

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Why is it worth getting involved in the association's work?

Because we give families a strong voice and enable them to have a real say. Together, we stand up for educational equality, fair participation and against discrimination. Those who work with us contribute their own experiences and perspectives and benefit from exchanges, advice and training. In this way, we create spaces in which families can actively initiate change and contribute to a society based on solidarity.