Social Dialogue Matters
Workshops 2026

A new initiative by The Presence Group

Join our Social Dialogue Matters Workshops 2026 - a series of interactive sessions designed for experienced EWC practitioners who want to strengthen the impact of their European Works Council for both the organisation and its employees.

Rather than traditional webinars, these workshops focus on peer exchange, real cases and practical insights in small, carefully selected groups. They are built around one core idea: strengthening social dialogue by bridging the gap between management and employee representatives.

The focus is not on theory, but on practical application, exchange of experience and building meaningful impact across countries and stakeholders.

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These workshops are intended for active EWC practitioners (members of the Steering Committee) such as:

·      EWC employee representatives

‍·      EWC chairs or vice-chairs

·      HR / Industrial Relations professionals involved in EWCs

·      central management representatives involved in social dialogue

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What you will gain from these interactive workshops

·      benchmark your EWC approach with peers

·      navigate complex EWC discussions more effectively

·      practical insights to strengthen impact

·      learn how to move beyond compliance and create value

·      improve alignment across countries

·      support more effective implementation of organisational change

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Workshop structure

·      3 online sessions pertrack

·      small groups (max. 12 participants)

·      two parallel tracks: one for employee representatives and one for management representatives

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Each session builds on the previous one and focuses on a different dimension of EWC effectiveness.

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Themes & timeline

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Session 1 – Communication & perception: from EWC communication to employer branding

19 May 2026 – 12:30–14:30 (management track, chaired by Georges Vandenhove)

22 May 2026 – 11:00–13:00 (employee track, chaired by Stephan Seiffert)

Session 2 – Vision & value creation: moving beyond compliance

12 June 2026 – 11:00–13:00 (employee track, chaired by Stephan Seiffert)

23 June 2026 – 14:00–16:00 (management track, chaired by Georges Vandenhove)

Session 3 – Strategic & relevant: strengthening the strategic role of the EWC for the organisation and its employees

02 October 2026 – 11:00–13:00 (employee track, chaired by Stephan Seiffert)

05 October 2026 – 12:00–14:00 (management track, chaired by Georges Vandenhove)

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Good to know

·      participation is free of charge

·      seats are limited (max. 12 per track)

·      participation is subject to confirmation

·      we aim for participants who can attend all three sessions

·      it is possible to delegate to a relevant colleague if needed

Participants who complete all sessions will receive complimentary access to the EWC Conference 2026 (1 seat per company per track).

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