IASQ, the Organization
Introduction
The International Association on Social Quality (IASQ), formerly the European Foundation on Social Quality, is dedicated to advancing the social quality perspective, a configuration of four frameworks that integrate theory, methodology, and policy application. This perspective provides a structured approach to understanding and addressing the transformations shaping contemporary societies across four key dimensions: 1) Socioeconomic and financial, 2) Sociopolitical and legal, 3) Sociocultural and welfare, and 4) Socio-environmental and ecological.
IASQ’s work revolves around the question of how these societal transformations influence the nature of four thematic fields, namely concerning 1) communication technologies, 2) welfare in the broadest sense of the word, 3) urbanization and 4) sustainability and how the interact with one another. By examining these reciprocal processes, IASQ seeks to develop strategies that uphold human dignity worldwide.
Basic Principles of the Social Quality Perspective
At the heart of the social quality perspective lies the need to conceptualize ‘the social’, which is understood as the dialectic between individual self-realization and the formation of collective identities. Rooted in Aristotelian principles, this approach challenges the fragmented nature of human sciences, which has long hindered a comprehensive understanding of societal change.
The configuration of four frameworks of the social quality perspective serves as guiding orientations:
- Conceptual Framework – Defines ‘the social’ as the foundation for understanding human interactions and societal structures.
- Analytical Framework – Concerning the analyses of the changes of constitutional, conditional, and normative factors as consequences of processes in the four societal dimensions (see read more).
- Procedural Framework – Introduces a four-dimensional approach to sustainability - and afterward to the three other thematic fields - that extends beyond the traditional economic, social, and environmental approach to change the ‘social dimension’ into the sociopolitical/legal dimension and the sociocultural/welfare dimension.
- Policy Framework – Aims to bridge the gap between daily community life and overarching global processes, guiding the development of policies that address the evolving challenges in the four thematic fields of modern societies.
IASQ Board. (2024, December). Basic principles of the social quality perspective: Its configuration of four frameworks as a starting point for new global political strategies. International Association on Social Quality. https://socialquality.org/wp-content/uploads/InfoletterIASQ6web6-2.pdf
Read more about the basic principles of the Social Quality Perspective.
Global Research Initiative
Since the Amsterdam Declaration on Social Quality (1997), IASQ has collaborated with academics across Europe, Asia, and beyond to refine and apply the social quality perspective. Supported by institutions such as the University of Sheffield, Eurispes in Rome, Free University Berlin, Liverpool Hope University, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Zhejiang University, and the International Institute for Social Studies in The Hague, etc, IASQ has played a assisting role in advancing theoretical insights and empirical research worldwide.
This work has led to significant contributions in areas such as urbanization, environmental sustainability, and the redefinition of economic indicators. The association’s International Journal of Social Quality (IJSQ) serves as a platform for ongoing global discourse, addressing topics such as climate change, the impact of digitalization, and the societal consequences of pandemics.
The Future of Social Quality Thinking
As the world faces unprecedented ecological and social challenges, IASQ is at the forefront of rethinking traditional suppositions of sustainability, social development, and human-nature relationships. The association is actively working towards a paradigm shift that moves beyond traditional economic indicators and embraces a comprehensive approach to societal well-being and ecological balance.
By integrating natural and human sciences, IASQ aims to foster new political strategies and policy innovations that ensure a more sustainable, equitable, and socially cohesive future. Feel free to contact us in case of questions!
Contact
Bredeweg 20
1098 BR Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Phone +31 6 290 11 882
E-mail info@socialquality.org
The Team
- Dr Laurent J.G. van der Maesen – Director of IASQ & Chief Editor International Journal of Social Quality
- Dr Harry G.J. Nijhuis - Co-Chief Editor International Journal of Social Quality
- Drs Floris C. Bruin – Digital Editor and Communications of The International Association on Social Quality (IASQ)
- Drs Evert Schoenmaker - Financial Administrator of The International Association on Social Quality (IASQ)
Board members
- Prof. Dr Alan C. Walker – Social Policy and Social Gerontology, University of Sheffield; Co-founder of the Social Quality Approach (Chair)
- Dr Laurent J.G. van der Maesen – Co-founder of the Social Quality Approach (Secretary and Treasurer)
- Prof. Dr Ka Lin – Professor of Social Policy, Public Administration, and Global Governance, Zhejiang University, China (Vice-Chair)
- Prof. Dr Marco Ricceri – Secretary General of Eurispes, Italy (Vice-Chair)
- Prof. Dr Valeriy Heyets – Director of Institute for Economics and Forecasting, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
- Dr Craig Marsh - Executive Dean, Faculty of Business Law and Criminology, Liverpool Hope University
- Prof. Dr Sony Pellissery – Director of the Institute of Public Policy, National Law School of India
- Prof. Dr Judith R.L.M. Wolf – Director of Netherlands Center for Social Care Research, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen
Key Advisors
- Vivian Berghahn, Publisher, New York
- Dr Tony Bradley, United Kingdom
- Dr Tatyana Burlai, Ukraine
- Dr Tim Cadman, Australia,
- Prof. Krish Chetty, South Africa,
- Dr Gracjan Cimek, Poland
- Prof. dr Bill Darrow, USA
- Prof. Monika Eigmüller, Germany
- Prof. dr Des Gasper, The Netherlands
- Prof. dr Ananta Giri, India
- Prof. dr Dave Gordon, United Kingdom
- Prof. dr Rolf Hepp, Germany
- Prof. dr Peter Herrmann, Germany
- Prof. dr David Kergel, Germany
- Prof. dr Li Wei, China
- Dr Mario Ivan Lopez, Japan
- Dr Paolo Motta, Italy
- Dr David Phillips, United Kingdom
- Dr Heloísa Perista, Portugal
- Prof. dr Maria Petmesidou, Greece
- Prof. dr Ren Liying, China
- Dr Zuzana Reptova Novakova, Slovakia
- Prof. dr Péter Róbert, Hungary
- Dr Johannes M. Waldmüller, Ecuador
- Prof. dr Claire Wallace, United Kingdom
- Prof. dr Paul Ward, Australia
- Dr Susann Worschech, Germany
About Funding
During the starting period of the SQA, the EFSQ organized with the support of universities financial resources from the European Commission for huge and middle size projects. From the side of this Commission two large subsidies and ten middle large subsidies were received during the first and second stage of the SQA. During the first, second en third stages at least fifteen funds from The Netherlands have supported the IASQ work and an incalculable number of universities from around the world provided ‘human power’ for the work to be done. To follow this financial strategy implied a solid own infrastructure in this highly competitive area and for coping with the unrivaled administrative requirements. Universities are in fact better suited to this strategy. But they are not allowed to finance together an independent infrastructure, located outside their countries, for stimulating their orchestration.
The management of the successor of the EFSQ, the IASQ, changed course. Financial support for international oriented projects for elaborating the SQA projects are organized by herewith related universities: from university funds, private funds, and governments. In the past two decades a huge amount of financial resources have been obtained in this way: it runs into the millions for the development of the SQA. But again, the ridiculous consequence of this is that the actual ‘booster’ has no way benefited from this. A solution must be found for the current decade.
Annual Report
Our annual report provides a transparent overview of our financial performance, highlighting our balance sheet, profit and loss account, and key financial notes. We remain committed to our mission of advancing the Social Quality Approach while ensuring financial management. We thank our supporters, partners, and stakeholders for their continued trust and collaboration. Please feel free to review the report for a comprehensive insight into our financial standing and accomplishments.
Privacy Statement
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