Mechelen Against Racism

There is no place for racism or discrimination in Mechelen. In recent years, the City of Mechelen has done everything in its power to become a city for everyone, an inclusive city. Even today, we are still working on this every day.

Mechelen defines inclusive city as follows: “Mechelen puts living together in diversity first. Connection, inclusion, participation and equal opportunities are key terms. Mechelen resolutely chooses to be an integrally accessible and warm city where everyone has a place and a voice, can participate and can construct the city of the future. Our organization and services are tailored to the superdiverse Mechelaar”. 

Mechelen is one of the four most multicultural cities in Flanders, together with Antwerp, Ghent and Genk. More than 130 nationalities live together here, together we speak more than 80 different languages. More than half of the children born here have a migrant background.

In recent years we have developed a model that makes diversity an asset and where diversity is embedded in all policy sectors, city services, external services, organisations and institutions.

The city of Mechelen is consistently committed to inclusive citizenship, breaking through segregation, developing equal opportunities, fighting discrimination and strengthening social mobility. Nevertheless, efforts are still needed to actively combat all forms of racism and discrimination and to fully commit to living together in diversity.