In collaboration with Abacus Cooperativa and the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), ASETT hosted the event “Cooperatives in Culture for Diversity, Cultural Rights and Decent Work” in Barcelona. The gathering marked a significant milestone by becoming the first international forum where all presentations were delivered entirely in Catalan and Basque.

The event was designed to ensure that its format reflected the very cultural diversity it sought to promote. Discussions explored topics such as the role of the ikastola movement in strengthening Basque-language communities and the experience of Abacus Cooperativa, whose retail network operates entirely in Catalan.

By placing minority languages at the heart of an international dialogue, the event demonstrated how cultural diversity can be actively embedded in cooperative practice, rather than simply discussed as a principle.

Through this initiative, ASETT reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening both local identity and global cooperation, recognising that these two dimensions together define the cooperative movement. The event also provided an opportunity to connect key international stakeholders, including members of the #coops4dev alliance, further reinforcing collaboration around culture, cooperation and sustainable development.