Waardigheidwaardig

Waardigheidwaardig is a neologism in Dutch used to describe policies, actions, or attitudes that affirm and protect the inherent worth of every person. The term combines waardigheid (dignity) with waardig (worthy), emphasizing a norm of treatment where individuals are not instrumentalized but recognized as ends in themselves.

In ethical and public-policy debates, waardigheidwaardig denotes criteria and practices that ensure non-degradation, autonomy, and respect in interpersonal encounters and institutional procedures. The concept draws on human rights and Kantian ethics as a normative foundation, and is often invoked in discussions about care, justice, privacy, and inclusive design.

Applications include person-centered healthcare, dignified end-of-life care, fair treatment in the criminal justice system, transparent algorithmic decision-making, and privacy-respecting data practices. Concrete measures may include consent-based data use, language that avoids stigmatisation, accessible services, and accountability mechanisms that allow redress for violations of dignity.

Critics argue that waardigheidwaardig can be vague or culturally contested, and that converting dignity into measurable policies risks symbolic gestures without structural change. Others point to trade-offs between resource limits and universal dignity obligations, calling for clear standards and context-sensitive implementation.

See also: dignity, human rights, ethics, person-centered care, dignity in policy.