Conference Arbeit + Demokratie

The conference Arbeit + Demokratie explores the workplace as the most important resonance space of our democracy. In fishbowls, keynotes, dialogue sessions and workshops, people from business, trade unions, academia, and civil society come together.

The opening panel “Blind Spot Workplace” not only looks at crises such as political tensions, ecological limits and social division, but places democratic ways of acting at the centre. The second day starts with the fishbowl “New Beginnings and Action”: How can we concretely strengthen democracy in the workplace and in society? How can workplaces, by fostering participation and strengthening democratic principles, improve how we work together – and at the same time support the economic stability of companies? The third fishbowl asks about democracy’s learning curve – from co-determination to ruptures in times of dictatorship and upheaval: What lessons from history can strengthen us today?

In between, participants try out playful “democracy modules” developed by ZOON e.V. and civic participation formats from Mehr Demokratie e.V.. They practise perspective-taking and test new forms of participation. In this way, it becomes visible how democratic experiences emerge in everyday working life – and what impact they can have on companies and society. Inspiring keynotes from the fields of common good economy, politics and civil society deepen the conference dialogue.

The conference is initiated by ZOON e.V. – Democracy in the Workplace and Mehr Demokratie e.V., the nationwide association for democratic development and citizen participation. ZOON e.V. develops game-based participation formats that strengthen democratic competencies in the workplace. Mehr Demokratie e.V. contributes its expertise in citizen participation and democracy policy.

The project partner is the Evangelische Akademie Frankfurt. The project is also supported by Haus am Dom, Diocese of Limburg.