EOQ : No 'Q' without you

Visit to one of EOQ ‘s FOUNDING MEMBER : AFQP

During our recent visit to Paris, Paulo and Katelijne had the pleasure of meeting with representatives of Association France Qualité Performance (AFQP), the French national quality organization and the official French National Representative of the European Organization for Quality (EOQ). AFQP plays a key role in promoting quality and organizational excellence in France through networking, the exchange of best practices, professional development, conferences, webinars, quality awards, and the representation of the French quality community at both European and international level.

Our meeting took place at one of AFQP's partner locations, the prestigious Institut Catholique de Paris (ICP), founded in 1875 and located in the heart of Paris' historic 6th arrondissement. The remarkable setting of this historic university immediately reflected the atmosphere of the discussions that followed: professional, thoughtful, and clearly conducted at a strategic level.

We were warmly welcomed by Pierre Girault, President of AFQP, and Patrick Mongillon, Vice-President. The meeting was exceptionally well prepared, and it quickly became clear that our respective visions for the future are strongly aligned.

Following an initial brainstorming session on future-oriented certification schemes, including emerging opportunities in the field of soft skills certification, a wide range of strategic topics were discussed:

• Position papers and thought leadership: EOQ could further strengthen its role as the "Voice of Quality" in Europe by developing and publishing position papers on key societal and economic challenges, such as the reindustrialisation of Europe.
• International networking and exchange of best practices: a priority identified by many EOQ members during our recent survey. EOQ could act more actively as a facilitator of knowledge sharing between members.
• Relations with European institutions: beyond expressing opinions on important topics, EOQ could reconnect more closely with the European Commission and contribute to discussions that influence future policies.
• Communication and visibility: both general communication and the development of stronger relationships with journalists and stakeholders connected to European institutions.
• A renewed webinar concept: moving away from traditional presentations towards more interactive formats, such as discussions between multiple speakers or active audience participation.
• Future certification schemes and strategic focus: maintaining quality as EOQ's core mission while ensuring that certification activities support this objective.
• Increasing the effectiveness of partnerships: defining clearer objectives, evaluating outcomes, creating business opportunities, and strengthening benchmarking activities.
• Broadening the scope of quality: recognizing that quality today extends well beyond traditional quality management and includes areas such as risk management, security, metrology, occupational health and safety, sustainability, and environmental management.
• Reinventing the annual EOQ Congress: exploring more dynamic formats that encourage interaction and debate. One idea discussed was to challenge business leaders to defend a proposition in just eight minutes before the audience. We also considered whether a biennial congress model could create greater impact, while allowing EOQ to provide stronger support to local organizers, including joint sponsor acquisition efforts.

These topics, and many others, contributed to an exceptionally valuable and inspiring exchange of ideas. The conversation continued long after we left the meeting room and accompanied us throughout the journey home.

Visits such as this continue to confirm that EOQ is moving in the right direction. Every meeting with our members reinforces our shared ambition to build a stronger, more modern, and more influential European Organization for Quality. We remain convinced that personal contact with our members is essential and that every voice matters in shaping EOQ's future.

After all, there is no "Q" without you.