| 1950 - 1955 | Federation of German Catholic Youth in Essen; temporary leadership duties |
| 1955 - 1958 | Bund Neudeutschland (university groups in Bonn and Munich) |
| 1965 - 1966 | Campaign for Disarmament, NRW |
| 1967 - 1968 | Bensberg Circle |
| 1967 - 1975 | German Society for Cultural and Economic Exchange with Poland |
| 1970 - 1975 | Working Group Literature of the Working World |
| 1970 - 1976 | Spanish Centre (Circulo Cultural Recreativo), Essen |
| 1973 - 1992 | Socialist Office, Offenbach |
| 1973 - 2007 | GEW or ÖTV/VERDI |
| 1980 - 2004 | German Society for Sociology |
| 1981 - 1990 | Conciliation Committee of the City of Dortmund, Vice-Chairman |
| Since 1984 | Fritz Hüser Society Dortmund, temporary board member |
| 1985 - 2006 | Hans Böckler Foundation, Lecturer at the University of Dortmund |
| 1986 - 1994 | "Hattinger Kreis", discussion and expert forum of the Hans Böckler Foundation's confidential lecturers |
| 1986 - 1991 | Society of Friends of the SPD NRW, Scientific Advisory Board |
| 1990 - 1996 | Stiftung Zusammen-Leben Cologne/Duisburg, Board of Trustees (founder: Günter Wallraff) |
| 1991 - 1998 | Refugee Council Dortmund |
| since 1992 | Refugee Council NRW, Essen, 2003 - 2005 Board of Directors |
| since 1992 | Support association Pro Asyl |
| since 1992 | Amnesty International |
| 1994 - 1997 | Committee for Fundamental Rights and Democracy, Cologne |
| 1994 - 1997 | Working Group on Alternative Economic Policy, Bremen |
| Since 1995 | Association "Help for people in custody pending deportation", Büren |
| 1999 - 2007 | Research Association for the World Refugee Problem (AWR), Würzburg |
| since 2001 | Ecumenical Federal Working Group "Asylum in the Church |
| 2003 - 2006 | Dortmund Working Group on Refugees |
| since 2008 | Bavarian Refugee Council, Munich |
Department: Social and Cultural Sciences