Laura and Tijan spy on the cell phone. The app reports: “Station – Heimat”. In front of them: a sculpture made of rusty steel, massive, weathered. Six interwoven letters. The associated question: “What does home mean for you?” “Feel safe,” says Adam. “And family,” adds Kassim. The four Opel trainees are in Rüsselsheim-on an interactive city rally on diversity.
Because: on May 27th the time has come again – nationwide. Opel participates. Not for the first time: The company has been part of the Charter of Diversity for 18 years – one of the first in the automotive industry. For this year’s diversity day under the motto “If diversity wins, Germany wins.” there is a digital discovery tour across Rüsselsheim. Developed together with the local network – including the city of Rüsselsheim, the GPR Clinic, the Society for Housing and Building (Gewobau) and the Rheinmain University of Applied Sciences.
Marina Athanail from the Culture and Diversity of the city has invited to test the city rally.
With the free Action Bound app you can now go on a discovery tour-across Rüsselsheim.
Apprentices from all participants explore the diversity of the city.
The starting point is the banks of the Main, the app shows the way.
15 stations lead through history, art and cultural diversity.
The rally leads through history, art and world of work in Rüsselsheim. Regarding the Opel villas, the “permanent parker”, the Manta monument on the Main bank, to the Löwenplatz, where the “thought” is reminiscent of Adam Opels’s first workshop. If you want to participate, you load the free “Action Bound” app on the cell phone – and off you go. Ideal for trainees, school classes, clubs. Or simply for everyone who wants to discover diversity. Because it is everywhere. You just have to look closely.
“Diversity, inclusion and equality are very important at Opel – all year round.”
– Vanessa Repp, Vice President Future Product at Opel –
Adam, a prospective production mechanic in the first year of apprenticeship, listened to his brother’s advice and applied to Opel – with success.
Kassim can also be trained as an expert to assemble, control and check components and assemblies.
“We were a matter close to the heart of this rally that was specially designed from diversity aspects,” says Vanessa Repp, Vice President Future Product at Opel. Together with the Mayor of Rüsselsheim, Patrick Burghardt and partners from the regional network, she gave the starting signal. “Diversity, inclusion and equality are very important to Opel – all year round,” says Vanessa Repp. Appreciation is to be firmly anchored in everyday life – and specifically pass on to young target groups. Not just on the day of action, but every day.
Not only the Germany-wide diversity day, but also the annual girls ‘and boys’ day, the day against racism or the World Women’s Day takes Opel as an opportunity to show that diversity, respect and commitment to equal rights are fundamental part of corporate culture. Because these values contribute to better work results, both by mutual respect and in direct succession and thus to the success of Opel.
Artwork and monument at the same time: the rally leads to the Opel Manta made of concrete on the banks of the Main, known as the “permanent parker”. The associated question: How many nations work in the work of Opel’s headquarters?
Tijan is in the first year of apprenticeship. He completes a mechatronics training combined with a bachelor’s degree.
Laura also chose the cooperative study with a focus on mechatronics.
What is a matter of course every day in the company should become even more visible and tangible: With the app, the participants experience in a playful way how closely diversity, historical development and modern work in Rüsselsheim are linked. For the four Opel trainees, the interactive rally with its around 15 stations is more than a walk. It is a change of perspective. You see your city, your company with new eyes. “Home,” says Laura, “are places where you can belong.”
From now on, the offer is available to all interested parties permanently and free of charge.
And this is how it works: scan QR code and start the rally. More information is available here.
May 2025
Photos: Alex Heimann