Arvato Systems and UFA bring their own float to Cologne CSD Parade

• Arvato Systems and UFA take a stand for diversity and equal  opportunity
• Joint participation in Christopher Street Day

UFA and Arvato Systems will take part in the annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Cologne on July 7 with their own float. This action demonstrates how the support the two Bertelsmann companies have for full equality and acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, transgender and intersexual people. Under the slogan "Diversity is our daily business!", Arvato Systems and UFA have come together to take a stand for diversity and equal opportunities by being part of the CSD.

Nico Hofmann, CEO UFA GmbH: "Our regular involvement in the CSD Parade demonstrates that at UFA, diversity and equal rights are among the values we live by. The diversity of our staff is our greatest asset and inspires us in our daily business. We are therefore committed to a discrimination-free working environment where everyone can be what they want. As producers we have a responsibility to ensure that the LGBTIQ community is more visible both in front of and behind the camera and that diversity is shown as it is, without clichés. I am particularly pleased that Arvato Systems is also on board this year to work with us in this important area."

Matthias Moeller, CEO Arvato Systems Group: "As an innovative company, Arvato Systems needs and encourages strong personalities. Motivation, creativity and commitment are what make our employees stand out. To achieve this, everyone must be able to develop as freely as possible. I am pleased and proud that Bertelsmann’s corporate values embody exactly this. And that’s why we are at the CSD, flying the flag for diversity and – together with our UFA colleagues – showing where we stand in a happy, rainbow-colored way. "

It is not only the CSD float that demonstrate this attitude. Many employees from both companies are taking part in the parade. The Bertelsmann be.queer employee network is present too, with its own information stand at Alter Markt, where interested parties can learn about the various divisions of Bertelsmann and their commitment to LGBTIQ workers.

Participation in CSD Cologne is organized jointly by the UFA internal employee network be.queer@UFA and Arvato Systems staff.

UFA took part in the CSD parade last year with its own float and, like Arvato Systems, is actively involved in be.queer. be.queer is the first cross-departmental employee network at Bertelsmann to explicitly promote an open working environment for all employees, regardless of sexual identity and orientation. UFA, with all its divisions, joined the network two years ago and established their own be.queer@UFA team. The team has set itself the goal of promoting diversity within UFA and taking a clear stand externally. Arvato Systems is also taking a clear position on the issue of diversity and was, for example, very successfully represented at the STICKS & STONES trade fair – Europe’s largest LGBTIQ job and career fair in Berlin.

Every year, on Christopher Street Day (CSD) men and women join together to celebrate and demonstrate in support of for same-sex love, equality, and freedom while also taking a stand against the discrimination and persecution, that are still prevalent in some countries. The CSD is an annual two-week program held in and around Cologne. The highlight is the three-day Christopher Street Day street festival, which takes place from 5 to 7 July and always ends with a demonstration and parade through the Cologne city center.