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weltwärts at Christopher Street Day in Cologne

On Sunday, 21 July, Christopher Street Day (CSD) took place in Cologne – it was one of the largest CSD demonstrations in all of Europe. And weltwärts was in attendance too! Alongside former and current volunteers, weltwärts proudly displayed a flag and stood up for diversity and tolerance. Around 1.2 million attendees took part in the parade in Cologne.

weltwärts is committed to diversity

In the present time, it is more important than ever to stand up for a fairer world, to remain open to other cultures, and to promote democracy and peace. This year’s CSD in Cologne was held under the motto “Human rights. Many. Together. Strong”. weltwärts added in a motto of its own: “weltwärts for diversity. Human rights have no borders”.

On a large float, around 60 people from the colourful weltwärts community joined together to celebrate and demonstrate in favour of tolerance and equality. On board were former North-South volunteers, volunteers due to embark on their journeys soon, current South-North volunteers, employees of weltwärts organisations and Engagement Global employees.

weltwärts is committed to diversity. Human rights have no borders.

One of Europe’s biggest CSD parades

Cologne’s CSD is one of the biggest in Europe. This year, the parade – which is traditionally held on a Sunday – was also the biggest Cologne has seen yet. Over 250 groups of marchers and vehicles took part in the demo through central Cologne. With vehicle number 125, weltwärts was right in the heart of the action. In total, around 1.4 million people visited over the CSD weekend, thereby signalling clear support for the LGBTQ+ community.

See for yourself how bright, loud and political CSD was in Cologne

  • The 2024 CSD demo in Cologne viewed from above
    Over 250 groups took part in the CSD demonstration in Cologne.
  • Group photo in front of the weltwärts truck at Cologne Pride. colognepride. CSD Cologne
    Around 60 people demonstrated together on the weltwärts truck.
  • Four people standing on the CSD Cologne truck and smiling into the camera. colognepride
    Former volunteers and employees of the weltwärts coordination centre were also present.
  • View of the weltwärst truck and a large group of pedestrians
    The parade in Cologne went through the city centre for several hours.
  • A person with a rainbow dress. Cologne Pride floats can be seen on the right and left.
    CSD Cologne was colourful, loud and political.
  • A group of people at Cologne Pride on the weltwärts truck smile into the camera and hold colourful fans in their hands. CSD Cologne
    All participants clearly had fun. They celebrated, danced and demonstrated together.
  • The truck drives over a bridge, people walk behind it. Cologne Cathedral can be seen in the background. CSD Cologne. Cologne Pride
    The CSD parade crossed the Deutzer Bridge with a view of Cologne Cathedral.
  • View of the weltwärts truck at CSD Cologne. Spectators stand on the sidelines. Cologne Pride
    With over 65,000 participants, this year's CSD demonstration in Cologne was the largest the city has ever seen.
  • View of the spectators at the side of the road. A crowd of people can be seen, a woman holds up a sign reading ‘Feelings know no gender’. CSD Cologne, Cologne Pride
    Many visitors had demo signs with them.
  • A woman stands at a DJ booth and throws her hands in the air. People dance in front of her on the weltwärts trolley. CSD Cologne. pridecologne
    DJs Donnerlotta and Latz&Leder provided good humour and great music on the weltwärts trolley.
  • People stand at the side of the road, display demonstration signs and rejoice. CSD Cologne. colognepride
    The atmosphere was exuberant and the parade was the highlight of the Cologne CSD weekend.
  • Dancing people on the street at CSD Cologne. colognepride
    Time and again, people joined the weltwärts truck during the demonstration and danced to the music behind the vehicle.
  • The weltwärts truck in front of Cologne Cathedral. A woman with a fan in rainbow colours in her hand looks out of the truck. CSD Cologne colognepride
    The colorful and cheerful CSD demonstration ended near the cathedral after around four hours.
  • The 2024 CSD demo in Cologne viewed from above
    Over 250 groups took part in the CSD demonstration in Cologne.
  • Group photo in front of the weltwärts truck at Cologne Pride. colognepride. CSD Cologne
    Around 60 people demonstrated together on the weltwärts truck.
  • Four people standing on the CSD Cologne truck and smiling into the camera. colognepride
    Former volunteers and employees of the weltwärts coordination centre were also present.
  • View of the weltwärst truck and a large group of pedestrians
    The parade in Cologne went through the city centre for several hours.
  • A person with a rainbow dress. Cologne Pride floats can be seen on the right and left.
    CSD Cologne was colourful, loud and political.
  • A group of people at Cologne Pride on the weltwärts truck smile into the camera and hold colourful fans in their hands. CSD Cologne
    All participants clearly had fun. They celebrated, danced and demonstrated together.
  • The truck drives over a bridge, people walk behind it. Cologne Cathedral can be seen in the background. CSD Cologne. Cologne Pride
    The CSD parade crossed the Deutzer Bridge with a view of Cologne Cathedral.
  • View of the weltwärts truck at CSD Cologne. Spectators stand on the sidelines. Cologne Pride
    With over 65,000 participants, this year's CSD demonstration in Cologne was the largest the city has ever seen.
  • View of the spectators at the side of the road. A crowd of people can be seen, a woman holds up a sign reading ‘Feelings know no gender’. CSD Cologne, Cologne Pride
    Many visitors had demo signs with them.
  • A woman stands at a DJ booth and throws her hands in the air. People dance in front of her on the weltwärts trolley. CSD Cologne. pridecologne
    DJs Donnerlotta and Latz&Leder provided good humour and great music on the weltwärts trolley.
  • People stand at the side of the road, display demonstration signs and rejoice. CSD Cologne. colognepride
    The atmosphere was exuberant and the parade was the highlight of the Cologne CSD weekend.
  • Dancing people on the street at CSD Cologne. colognepride
    Time and again, people joined the weltwärts truck during the demonstration and danced to the music behind the vehicle.
  • The weltwärts truck in front of Cologne Cathedral. A woman with a fan in rainbow colours in her hand looks out of the truck. CSD Cologne colognepride
    The colorful and cheerful CSD demonstration ended near the cathedral after around four hours.

Volunteer service and queer people

The weltwärts programme would like to encourage people from the LGBTQ+ community to engage in a volunteer service and takes a proactive interest in LGBTQ+ issues. Queer volunteers sometimes face additional challenges, which it is important to address. In some countries, same-sex relationships or LGBTQ+ travellers may face discrimination or criminal prosecution. Queer people should let us know their desired country of assignment in good time. But the programme doesn’t stop there. Initiatives such as QueerExchange, as well as many other organisations in the weltwärts network, help volunteers to prepare before their service and support them throughout it.

Further information

Link to the coverage of CSD by ColognePride

Link to the QueerExchange website

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