“Space for All!”: Arvato Systems and UFA at CSD 2023 in Cologne

This year, Arvato Systems and UFA are once again taking part together in the CSD demonstration as part of ColognePride in Cologne. On Sunday, July 9, 2023, employees from both companies will parade through the streets of Cologne on a joint float, demonstrating for unrestricted equality and acceptance. This will set an example for diversity and equal opportunities – and it will be the largest CSD float of the two companies to date.

Alongside the CSD street festival, the CSD demonstration is the highlight of ColognePride and, with around 1.4 million visitors, the largest demonstration of its kind in Germany. This year’s motto „FÜR_______MENSCHENRECHTE – Viele. Gemeinsam. Stark!“ (which translates as “FOR_______HUMAN RIGHTS – Many. Together. Strong!”) stands for diversity in the best sense: The word “human” can be exchanged – the underscore represents an individualization option. So it is lesbian rights, gay rights, bi-rights, trans-rights, inter-rights and many more that ultimately only add up to human rights.

“I am very pleased that this year we are once again participating in the CSD demonstration with a large float together with our UFA colleagues,” says Matthias Moeller, CEO Arvato Systems Group. “As an innovative company, we need and promote strong personalities. Motivation, creativity and commitment are the hallmarks of our employees. To achieve this, everyone must be able to develop as freely as possible. As Arvato Systems, we represent – like all of Bertelsmann – the motto ‘Open for ALL’. For us, the broad-based presence at ColognePride 2023 is another sign of diversity in practice.”

Nico Hofmann, CEO UFA GmbH, adds: “As UFA, we have been committed to diversity and equal opportunities for many years, both in front of and behind the camera. We are more than happy to show this attitude again with our float at this year’s CSD in Cologne. My heartfelt thanks to all colleagues who have planned our appearance this year, both creatively and organizationally.”

As was the case last time in 2019, the UFA and Arvato Systems CSD float will also have its own motto this year. All employees were able to submit their suggestions for this – and the winning slogan is “Space for All!” This is intended to express that UFA and Arvato Systems on the one hand offer Safe Spaces, but at the same time are committed to an open and discrimination-free society in which the need for these Safe Spaces is overcome.

The demonstration will not only take place on the CSD float: Numerous UFA and Arvato Systems employees will also be part of the CSD demonstration’s foot group. In addition, the Bertelsmann employee network “be.queer” will have its own information booth at the CSD street festival from July 7 to 9 in Bechergasse next to Alter Markt. Anyone interested can find out more about Bertelsmann’s various divisions and their commitment to LGBTIQ employees there.