BDB e.V. (BDB) is a self-organisation of people with different national and cultural backgrounds who are active in the field of human rights, anti-discrimination, anti-racism, asylum and gender. Since 1996, BDB has set itself the goal of helping to overcome exclusion and discrimination in society. The focus here is on work against racism / ethnic discrimination (disadvantage due to origin, culture, “skin colour” and nationality).

We see our work to encourage just and respectful treatment as a contribution to a peaceful coexistence and the development of a lively and enriched society and a stable democracy.

We work in response to concrete cases of discrimination, but also concentrate on prevention in order to prevent racism and other forms of discrimination, e.g. through workshops and training as well as with demands for more justice in legislation and institutional structures. Our aim is to coordinate the different areas of anti-discrimination work (counselling, trainings and political networking/lobbying) in order to create learning effects and synergies between them. We focus is not only on the individual-interpersonal level of discrimination and racism, but also on the political and institutional level.

Short- and long-term counselling for people affected by discrimination and racism

We listen to what you have experienced and accompany you in your search for a solution to deal with it.

Training and education

We offer training and education to raise awareness of discrimination and to prevent it. We offer empowerment workshops for people affected by racism. We also offer training on diversity and intercultural competence – also for groups and institutions.

Political work

BDB raises public awareness of discrimination issues through events, publications and campaigns and works in civil society networks to help advance the legal situation in this area. We create spaces in which people discuss how to deal with different issues in the field of racism (e.g. racial profiling, legislation, at schools, in health care, at the workplace).

Values of the association

  • We should address people’s fears, concerns and understandings – not at some preconceived ideal of what these should be, but as they are.

  • An anti-racist discussion should lead to more dignity for all – not to subjugation and powerlessness of the participants.

  • An effective anti-racist discussion opens the possibility to speak in an uncensored, but respectful way about the issues that move the participants.

  • In order to deal with questions related to societal difference and discrimination in a constructive way, you need to first take a look at yourself: in the confrontation with one’s own position in one’s own society, with one’s own socialised images of oneself and others and one’s own values and interests.

  • The aim of counselling is to accompany and empower victims of discrimination by informing, encouraging and supporting them and giving them the tools to fight discrimination on their own.

  • We want to support those affected by discrimination and racism in their demands for more opportunities to actively participate in the democratic structures of society.

  • We promote awareness and sensitivity for the issues of discrimination and racism and advocate for equal coexistence in all areas of society.

What are discrimination and racism?

What is racism? What is discrimination? What is the General Equal Treatment Act and who does it protect? What is racial profiling? Here we discuss these and other terms and give a list of reading material on them.

Read more about discrimination and racism

Materials and Links

Here you can find reading suggestions, flyers and links to other organisations in the field of discrimination.

View reading materials and external resources

Do you need counselling?

Office hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tel: 030 / 216 88 84

Email: bdb(at)bdb-germany.de

Learn more about our counselling services