Hans-Böckler-Stiftung
The
Hans-Böckler-Stiftung: Co-Determination, Research and Social Justice
editThe Hans-Böckler-Stiftung, founded in 1977 through the merger of the Hans-Böckler-Gesellschaft and the Stiftung Mitbestimmung, is the central co-determination, research, and study promotion organization of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB). Based in Düsseldorf with additional locations in Frankfurt and Berlin, the foundation is committed to promoting co-determination, science, research, education, and training.
Main Mission and Values
editThe Hans-Böckler-Stiftung is dedicated to the idea of co-determination as a central democratic design principle of the social market economy. It advocates for a democratic and solidarity-based society in which good, qualified work is the central source of prosperity and justice is the essential social foundation. The foundation supports mandate holders in co-determination functions and advocates for expanded co-determination rights to improve working conditions and promote social justice[4][5].
Key Products and Services
edit- Research and Study Promotion: The foundation promotes scientific research projects and operates its own research institutes, such as the Institute for Macroeconomics and Business Cycle Research (IMK), which is considered one of the most influential economic policy think tanks[4][5].
- Education and Qualification: It financially and ideologically supports students and doctoral candidates with outstanding achievements in their academic training and offers further training programs for employee representatives[4].
- Co-Determination Portal: The co-determination portal serves as an information service for practitioners of co-determination and provides advice and qualification for employee representatives in supervisory boards, works councils, and personnel councils as well as labor directors[1][5].
Sustainability Goals and Initiatives
edit- Transformation and Digitalization: The foundation is involved in projects that connect practical knowledge from companies with scientific expertise to address the challenges of digitalization and technological change. Examples include the funding line for transformation and the CQO project, which systematically organizes vocational training in companies[5].
- Social and Ecological Transformation: The Hans-Böckler-Stiftung discusses and promotes measures for social-ecological transformation, including strengthening co-determination in globally operating companies and improving working conditions in various industries[5].
- Human Rights and Working Conditions: It advocates for the respect of human rights in the workplace, particularly in sectors such as logistics, and works on solutions to improve precarious working conditions[5].
Current Initiatives
edit- European Works Councils: The foundation celebrates and promotes the milestone of 30 years of European Works Councils (EWC), which enable transnational co-determination and give employees in globally operating companies a strong voice[5].
- Artificial Intelligence: It discusses and develops clear rules for dealing with artificial intelligence in the workplace to master the challenges and opportunities of this technological change[5].
The Hans-Böckler-Stiftung is a central actor in promoting co-determination, social justice, and qualified work, and continuously works to improve working conditions and shape the future of employees.