In the context of the World Forum for Democracy, Andreas Kiefer, Secretary General of the Congress met with Yasutomo Suzuki, Mayor of Hamamatsu (Japan), to share views on the major and common problem of integration and to discuss the importance of citizen participation at local level. Japan faces demographic challenges and immigration increased in the last 25 years. At a local level, the integration of foreigners is a pressing matter. Addressing this complex issue requires local responses to initiate change with and by the citizens. The Congress has been working for over 20 years to promote a more inclusive and more resilient society. Andreas Kiefer presented the toolkit for organising intercultural and interreligious activities.