This collection of articles in the International Journal of Social Quality examines global challenges through the lens of Social Quality, delivering a new configuration of four social quality-oriented frameworks and offering valuable insights into public health, gender equality, climate resilience, and humanity’s connection with Nature.
The article on healthcare accessibility in Haryana, India, by Arshad Ahmed and colleagues, examines disparities in healthcare availability and access in a region grappling with infrastructural gaps. The study highlights the critical need for equitable resource allocation and systemic reforms to enhance public health outcomes, aligning with the Social Quality principles of inclusivity and social justice.
In Ukraine, Liudmyla Protosavitska and co-authors delve into the legal frameworks addressing gender inequality, exploring their effectiveness in guaranteeing equal opportunities. The article underscores the role of robust legal systems in fostering gender equality and advancing societal cohesion amid challenging political and social conditions.
The impact of climate-related shocks in Pakistan’s Matiari District is the focus of an article by Fariya Hashmat and colleagues. It documents the struggles of vulnerable households displaced by climate crises, illustrating the urgent need for adaptive community development projects to build resilience and safeguard livelihoods.
Harry G. J. Nijhuis and Peter Herrmann’s article, A “Rightful Place for Nature,” reflects on humanity’s loss of relationality with the natural world. It critiques the modern exploitation of ecosystems and advocates for a transformative approach that restores balance between human development and environmental sustainability.
Finally, the addendum provides an update on proposals for a Koala Park in Australia, a project aimed at protecting biodiversity and fostering community engagement. The discussion highlights conservation as a cornerstone of ecological and societal well-being.
Together, these contributions offer a cohesive version for addressing global challenges through a comprehensive, people centered approach, thanks to is connection with the new configuration of the four frameworks, as published in the Editorial.
You can find the full issue here.