On the opening night of the ENIEC annual meeting 2026 in Frankfurt, we were cordially welcomed by Elke Voitl, Alderman for Social Affairs of the City of Frankfurt. She spoke of Frankfurt as one of the most superdiverse cities in Germany, a diversity that has arisen from a multitude of factors. A large number of refugees have come to Frankfurt over the years. Furthermore, because the financial centre of the European Union is located here, many people have come to Frankfurt to work. This is in addition to those who arrived many years earlier, also seeking employment. We often use different words for these people who came to work, such as labour migrants and expats, which is a point that is both interesting and concerning to consider. She also spoke about the activities in the field of welfare and care, and about the special bond between the city of Frankfurt and the Frankfurter Verband, an organisation with a history of more than one hundred years.
The beautiful designed Café Frankfurter Salon, located at Braubachstraße 32 in the heart of the old town, is a social project. The café provides work and training opportunities for people with disabilities or those with social disadvantages. They are given the chance to develop and participate in society, for example by serving organic coffee or preparing homemade dishes. In doing so, the Frankfurter Salon demonstrates how hospitality and culture can go hand in hand with inclusion and equality.
