AKTUELLES
THE INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE Since summer 2007 an international committee in the Lenz residential area with representatives from seven countries has been in existence. The committee carries out various activities. By so doing it intends to put into use the cultural diversity to support neighbourhood commitment and togetherness in the residential area. This involves interpretation work between the cultures, discovering the different cultures and to some extend artistic abilities. This action involves the wish to give this colourful bunch the possibility to be outwardly represented and to be a role model for a successful living and integrating with one another. The international committee is in no way a closed group; rather it is permanently in search for new members who wish to be proactive. They all have the gaol of forming one day the united nations of Eimsb端ttel with representatives of over 60 countries. OVERCOMING BARRIERS The first action of the international committee was the organisation of an international breakfast in May 2008 where representatives of the local economy and politics were invited in order to brief them with the idea of the United Nations. The main intention of this invitation was
12 Lenz live
not only to ask for help but also to submit an offer: to draw on the resources available in the cultural diversity of Lenz residential area. The Lenz residential area carries an unbelievably huge cultural treasure in its neighbourhood. An example of this can be seen during neighbourhood festivals where the inhabitants of the residential area succeed in organising complete stage programs, all by themselves. There exist dancers, musicians, actors/actresses, jugglers and many others who draw upon their cultural pool to produce a colourful stage program. This offers the local economic and political authorities the possibility to take advantage of this great potential. Why not organise a company party with an Oriental dance or a Croatian folklore and a buffet of 1001 night? The first success registered was the present made by the Hagenbeck zoo to the United Nations of Eimsb端ttel. With the help of free tickets, the families were able to go on excursion out of the quarter. As a result the international committee could organise together with 70 fathers, mothers and children a day trip during the 2008 summer holidays. GOING BEYOND SELF-HELP Translating does not only involve the language but at times one has to explain