NRW Prime Minister reaffirms support for planned House of immigration society

08 January 2019

The Prime Minister informed himself about the planning status of the future House of the Immigration Society and thus confirmed the support of the state government for it´s construction in Cologne. The state government of NRW has been funding DOMiD for years, also funded a feasibility study on museum construction and anchored the project in the coalition agreement of 2017.

House of Immigration society offersgreat possibility for Germany and North Rhine-Westphalia

The Prime Minister sees the possibilities and the necessity of a house, in which history is looked at multi-perspectively: "Germany needs a House of immigration society. It is a great opportunity for the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Federal Republic to dedramatize the charged debate on migration. The Federal State of NRW therefore supports the project, to create such a place in NRW. In order, for this important project to be realized in NRW, all actors involved, the city, the state and federal government, must pull together."

Joy over support

"The many stories of the lenders, who are behind the objects in DOMiD's collection clearly show how migration shapes our everyday lives. Showing this perspective is more important than ever in the current political landscape. DOMiD has long pursued the goal of bringing a central migration museum to Cologne. We are pleased about the consent of a positive support from the state government," says Managing Director Dr. Robert Fuchs.

The concrete design of that support will take place in the coming months. Representatives of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, as well as the Federal Government and the city of Cologne, will discuss about the financing and the specific location.

About DOMiD

DOMiD, the Documentation Center and Museum on Migration in Germany e.V., is a non-profit association based in Cologne. As a scientific competence center, DOMiD collects, preserves and exhibits testimonies on the history of immigration in Germany. The association was founded in 1990 by migrants, is networked in many communities and has the largest collection of objects and testimonies in Germany, documenting the diverse history of immigration to Germany. The collection contains social, cultural and everyday historical testimonies on the history of immigration of various people. The collection is constantly growing and currently comprises more than 150,000 objects, documents and interviews. In addition, the association sees its task in researching and exhibiting the material. In addition to his museum and archival work, DOMiD organizes events, conferences and lectures. The aim is to convey migration as a norm. The ultimate aim is to create the foundation of a common, transcultural identity.

The association is politically independent and ideologically neutral. DOMiD is institutionally supported by the Ministry of Children, Family, Refugees and Integration (MKFFI) of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia and the city of Cologne.