ASETT (Arizmendiarrieta Social Economy Think and Do Tank) is taking part in the international Democracy at Work initiative, promoted by Spain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Economy in collaboration with Democracy at Work. The initiative places Spain’s experience at the centre of the global conversation on the future of work, democratic business governance and workers’ rights.
The initiative is built around three key milestones: the publication of a high-level international report, the release of a documentary, and a series of international workshops designed to connect research, public policy and practice in the context of profound economic, technological and social transformation.
A Landmark Report for the International Debate
On Monday, 2 February 2026, at 11:00 CET, the Report of the International High-Level Commission of Experts on Democracy at Work, commissioned by the Government of Spain, will be officially presented in Madrid.
The report brings together contributions from a broad international community of experts and examines how constitutional commitments to democracy in the workplace can be translated into concrete institutional frameworks and public policies, with particular attention to worker participation, voice and ownership.
The Commission was chaired by Isabelle Ferreras, one of the world’s leading authorities on economic democracy. The report will be published simultaneously in Spanish and English and will be freely available through open access.
The launch event will be streamed live, and a dedicated website will provide access to the report along with all related resources and materials.
A Documentary Bringing Workplace Democracy to a Wider Audience
As part of the initiative, the documentary Democracy at Work, directed by former BBC journalist Séverine Dieudonné, explores the work of the Commission and the debates that shaped the report.
The documentary is publicly available and reflects the initiative’s ambition to broaden the conversation beyond academic and institutional circles, engaging civil society and local communities in the discussion about the future of work.
A Global Workshop Series
As part of this initiative, ASETT, together with Democracy at Work, is organising the #DemocratizingWork / ASETT 2025–26 Global Workshop Series, an international forum bringing together policymakers, academics, trade union representatives, practitioners and civil society organisations.
📅 12 February 2026
🌍 Online | International audience
The first session of the series will focus on the international presentation of the “Democracy at Work” report.
The workshop will feature a moderated international panel discussion followed by an open debate, reflecting the series’ commitment to inclusive, action-oriented dialogue—particularly important at a time of rapid technological change and growing inequality.
ASETT and Economic Democracy as a Strategic Priority
ASETT’s participation in this initiative reflects its mission to demonstrate—through research and practical action—that economic models capable of combining competitiveness, social cohesion and democracy already exist, and to help scale these models internationally.
Drawing on the principles of the Social Economy and the cooperative movement, ASETT is committed to strengthening shared standards and promoting innovative approaches that advance a fairer economy by reinforcing its very foundation: work.
Links to the initiative’s website and resources:
