Vienna Reinforces Commitment to Combating Racism with Updated Action Plan
Vienna City Hall hosted a conference on Monday, March 24, 2026, to present and discuss the implementation of the updated “Vienna Action Plan against Racism.” The event brought together representatives from administration, politics, and civil society, both nationally and internationally, focusing on measures and challenges within the City of Vienna’s purview.
Acknowledging the Reality of Racism
Vice Mayor and Integration City Councilor Bettina Emmerling emphasized the importance of acknowledging the existence of racism in society, stating, “Racism exists in our society and it cannot be downplayed or ignored. It shows up not only in the behavior of individuals, but also in structures and institutions. This is exactly where we as a city have a responsibility to look and address where unequal treatment arises. The Vienna Action Plan against Racism is a concrete step towards this. It brings together the perspectives of those affected with the responsibility of politics and administration. What is crucial is that this leads to noticeable improvements in everyday life. That is exactly what we are working on together with civil society.”
Recent studies highlight the relevance of addressing discrimination in daily life. A recent cohabitation study for the city of Vienna revealed that approximately a quarter of immigrant Viennese residents reported experiencing discrimination at an authority or office.
Addressing Structural and Institutional Racism
Theodora Manolakos, Head of Integration and Diversity Department, underscored the need for administrative action, stating, “It is therefore important that the administration deals with structural and institutional racism because this ensures legal equality and the trustworthiness of public services, reduces inequalities and increases the effectiveness of local measures.”
Collaborative Approach to Change
The conference aimed to solidify the implementation steps of the “Vienna Action Plan against Racism” and strengthen networking among various stakeholders. Medical doctor and author Mireille Ngosso summarized the plan’s significance, stating, “The action plan against racism is an important step because it recognizes that racism is a structural problem and needs structural answers. What is now crucial is binding cooperation between politics, administration and civil society so that the commitment becomes real change.”
Vienna’s Anti-Racism Work and European Collaboration
Anti-racism work is a core component of Vienna’s integration and diversity policy, built on valuing the diversity of its population and actively opposing all forms of racist discrimination. The city also engages in educational and awareness-raising initiatives.
Since 2009, Vienna has been a member of the European Cities Coalition against Racism (ECCAR), a network of around 200 cities collaborating on strategies, sharing experiences, and supporting each other in implementing human rights-based action plans. Vienna will host an ECCAR steering committee meeting on March 24th and 25th, 2026, bringing together experts from 31 European cities.
Danijel Cubelic, Vice President of ECCAR and Head of the Office for Equal Opportunities of the City of Heidelberg, emphasized the role of cities in combating racism, stating, “Because racism and extremism are increasing, cities have a key role to play. They are the places where concrete answers are developed and implemented in everyday life. With the action plan against racism, the city of Vienna is sending a strong signal and building on its role as a driving force in the European city network ECCAR.”
Further Information:
- Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action
- International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
- Fight Against Racism and Discrimination – BMEIA
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