MPP Project Group Presents Findings on Social Inclusion to the Thuringian Anti-Discrimination Office

As part of the project group course on ‘Improving Local Representation: Lessons from the Global South’, Priyanka Kadam, Maisam Amiry, Elizabeth Olguin, Tracy Shimoli, Justice Agyemang and Mohammas Abbasi, master’s students at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy (WBS), were tasked with investigating, systematically analysing, and reporting on existing policies on local representation concerning marginalized groups. This included an assessment of their pros and cons and degrees of successful incorporation. In particular, the project aimed to understand issues of discrimination and the challenges of improving social inclusion in Erfurt (Thuringia). With these purposes, the WBS group collaborated with the Anti-Discrimination Office at the Staatskanzlei Thüringen.

To meet the project’s goals, the students entirely designed, conducted and analyzed a survey that targeted adults living in Thuringia. They worked under the supervision of Professor Mariana Llanos and the technical assistance of Dr. Daniela Osorio Michel. The survey, which was implemented both online and face-to-face, collected data from 125 respondents from 40 countries and was available in six languages. It mainly included questions on instances of discrimination in Thuringia based on select experiences such as a customer, at the workplace, and when seeking healthcare. It also enquired on the factors contributing towards the said discrimination, experience with reporting and coping mechanisms for the respondents, and awareness of the Anti-discrimination Office. The study concluded with some recommendations on how the Antidiscrimination office could improve its reach and services. The resulting findings were presented to the mentioned office on the 5th of February, 2024.

To learn more about the project group's results, read their capstone report here.