Any liberal democracy depends on the local engagement of its citizens, be it formal or informal, be it in political parties, associations, trade unions and employers’ organisations, in religious communities as well as various civic organisations. They make their concerns part of the democratic discourse. People who are engaged in civic activities, regardless of whether they were born in or have immigrated to Germany, assume responsibility and by doing so, make an indispensable contribution to the cohesion of society. Their engagement gives them a sense of belonging.
Continuously changing civic engagement is an integral part of the concept of government based on the principle of subsidiarity that, initially, enables the smallest units in society to become active. While civic engagement cannot replace public services, it serves as a useful and active addition in many socially relevant areas.
Apart from the civic engagement that promotes cohesion within society, there also exists exclusionary, anti-democratic and misanthropic engagement. That engagement, whose aim is to undermine the foundations of our society, must be resolutely opposed.