Reaching Out Into the Dark Corners

I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Rolf Rosenbrock and Sergio Cortés of Der Paritätische Gesamtverbande.  It was a broad and freewheeling conversation that took place in German, Spanish and English.  

Dr. Rolf Rosenbrock (left) and Sergio Cortés with the author

The Paritätische is an association of social movements committed to the idea of social justice: equal opportunities and the right of every human being to live a life of dignity in which they can develop freely.  Or, as Dr. Rosenbrock said, "we reach out into the dark corners" and defend the marginalized and disadvantaged in society.

I've mentioned in other posts that the theme of solidarity is one that continues to come up in my interviews.  Some have commented that this is a concept which mostly draws lip service today, and I'm sure that must be true in the same way that "American Exceptionalism" is touted by some who have no real interest in being exceptional, but my experience in Germany has been shaped by this idea, and it is certainly central to the work of the Paritätische.

As their website says, the notions of equality and parity characterize the organization’s self-perception. "The Paritätische sees itself as a community of solidarity, uniting different and independent initiatives, organizations and institutions from a broad spectrum of social work." This takes the form of a multiplicity of social services and facilities. But this also includes the premise of helping people to help themselves.  Sergio told me that right now there are 190 migrant-member groups working in a variety of areas, notably in health promotion, to help their own communities.  The Paritätische supports these groups and other members by making available free expert advice in the fields of social work, law, management and administration. They also help seek funding for projects. 

Over the years the Paritätische has been able to earn a unique position among German welfare associations, not only highlighting where things are going wrong but also actively influencing the development of social and economic policy.  Dr. Rosenbrock pointed to legislation about to become law that centers around increased resources for disease prevention and the promotion of healthy living. Thanks in part to the work of the  Paritatische a provision was included that specifically calls for the allocation of a part of these resources to immigrant communities. 

One of the things I found so refreshing about my conversation with Dr. Rosenbrock was his groundedness and sense of humor.  He commented that sometimes it can seem like the organization's work is akin to "pissing into the ocean."  This feeling seems to come especially from the little attention given by policy makers to the social determinants of health.  And of course he is right. We have ample evidence in the United States that public health efforts, however well organized and funded, crash against the shoals of income inequality, poor public education, few job opportunities and unsafe (or non-existent) housing.  But Dr. Rosenbrock and Sergio are clearly doing good and have the evidence to prove it.  It is an example we should better emulate in the United States.