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Event Overview: National Conference on Cooperative Labor 2026

The Workers Coop Federation is excited to announce the upcoming National Conference on Cooperative Labor and Good Work 2026, which will take place online from February 28 to March 1, 2026. This event aims to explore and define what constitutes 'good work' through collaboration and learning between practitioners and researchers in the field.

The Rise of Cooperative Labor

In 2022, the Workers Cooperative Act was enacted, underscoring the rising attention towards cooperative labor as a new mode of work. The Workers Coop Federation has been at the forefront of this movement, associating with member cooperatives nationwide to implement and promote 'good work' through cooperative practices. The annual conference serves as an essential platform for exchanging knowledge and analyzing achievements from different fields and organizations.

Each member organization keeps track of their practices related to 'good work' and presents these at the national conference, where researchers evaluate and discuss outcomes. This evaluation fosters mutual learning and establishes a crucial dialogue around 'good work' across various sectors.

Themes and Sessions for 2026

The theme for this year’s conference is From Individual Aspirations to Regional and Business Planning: Creating New Cooperation through Shared Voices.

Day 1: Keynote Sessions

On February 28, participants will engage in two enriching talk sessions:

• - Session 1: The focus will be on reflecting individual voices into the workplace. This session emphasizes collaboration among peers leading to dialogue, consensus-building, and decision-making processes.
• - Session 2: Participants will explore new business opportunities and value creation through local engagement, promoting innovative approaches to cooperative labor.

Day 2: Breakout Discussions

On March 1, the conference will dive into specialized discussions through 20 breakout sessions, encouraging participants to delve into various aspects of 'good work' and share insights.

Who Can Attend?

The conference is open to anyone interested in cooperative labor and community development. The Workers Coop Federation warmly welcomes all participants to join and contribute to the exploration of 'good work'.

Registration and Participation Details

The event is completely free of charge. Interested individuals can register through the dedicated site here: Registration Link.

Additional Information

Event Timeline:

• - February 28:

- 13:00: Opening Remarks
- 13:15: Talk Session 1
- 15:00: Talk Session 2
- 16:30: Participant Feedback
- 16:45: Closing Remarks
- 17:00: End of Day

• - March 1:

- 10:00-15:00: Breakout Sessions

For inquiries, please contact the Workers Coop Federation:

• - Email: [email protected]
• - Phone: 03-6907-8040

Understanding the Workers Cooperative Act

The Workers Cooperative Act, enacted in December 2020, provides legal status to worker cooperatives. It ensures that members contribute capital, have their opinions adequately reflected in operations, and engage in the business actively. The essence of the law is to foster sustainable and vibrant communities by enabling various enterprises, provided they meet basic regulatory requirements.

The Workers Coop Federation collaborates with member organizations to utilize this law towards creating dignified work and life through cooperative labor practices. The federation has been serving as a representative body for worker cooperatives, promoting information sharing and development across its member organizations.

Federation Overview:

• - Established: September 1979
• - President: Nobuhiro Komura
• - Location: 7th Floor, Ikebukuro ISP Tama Building, 1-44-3 Higashi Ikebukuro, Toshima, Tokyo
• - Website: Workers Coop Federation

Join us to explore the transformative potential of cooperative labor and together, study and promote 'good work' in our communities!