On 12 November 2026, ASETT will hold an event in Donostia-San Sebastián and online, connecting the legacy of José María Arizmendiarrieta with the solutions the Social Economy offers to the challenges of the present and the future.
What would Arizmendiarrieta do today? How would he address the major challenges of our time? These questions will be the starting point for the event “Cooperating in Times of Polarization. From Challenges to Solutions”, organised by ASETT to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the death of José María Arizmendiarrieta, a driving force behind the Basque cooperative movement.
The event will take place at the Miramar Palace in Donostia-San Sebastián and will bring together representatives of institutions, organisations, businesses and people involved in the Social Economy. It will provide a space for tribute, reflection and the exchange of experiences, exploring what we can learn from Arizmendiarrieta’s legacy and how to apply his principles of cooperation, education and participation to today’s challenges.
Arizmendiarrieta’s Legacy and Its Continued Relevance to the Social Economy
Remembering Arizmendiarrieta also means questioning the continued relevance of the ideas he championed and their ability to inspire new responses. What role can education, cooperation and participation play in building more cohesive societies? How can we organise economic activity to better meet the needs of people and territories?
From this perspective, the event offers an opportunity to reflect on Arizmendiarrieta’s legacy beyond the commemoration itself. The aim is to foster collective reflection on the transformative potential of cooperation and the role of the Social Economy in addressing present-day challenges and future opportunities.
From Knowledge to Action
The event will focus on the solutions the Social Economy is already providing in areas such as healthcare, housing, inclusion and territorial development. These experiences help take the debate beyond principles and bring it closer to people’s specific needs.
Sharing these initiatives will provide an opportunity to generate knowledge, identify common challenges and explore new forms of collaboration that can broaden their reach. The aim is not only to learn about what is already working, but also to reflect on what is needed to ensure these solutions reach more people and territories.
Through this event, ASETT aims to continue connecting reflection with action and facilitating dialogue between those conducting research, promoting public policies and developing business and social projects. Because keeping a legacy alive also means continuing to transform reality.
Event in Donostia-San Sebastián: In-Person and Online Participation
The event will take place on 12 November 2026 and can be attended in person at Miramar Palace or followed online.
Registration is open for both participation formats. Places for in-person attendance are limited and will be allocated until capacity is reached.
VIEW THE PROGRAMME AND REGISTER
A Tribute Concert to José María Arizmendiarrieta
At the end of the event, the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of José María Arizmendiarrieta’s death will continue with a tribute concert at the Basilica of Santa María del Coro in Donostia-San Sebastián.
To facilitate travel, a bus service will be provided for attendees from Miramar Palace to the basilica.
