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About Mutuality
Mutual societies grouped together within AIM are groupings of persons with social-welfare objectives and without a profit motive, whose goal is to provide protection against the consequences of various social risks to their members and members' families. They generally furnish social welfare coverage and access to social services financed on the basis of solidarity, whose scope is defined democratically by the members. The mutual society functions essentially according to the principle of autonomous management, absence of shareholders and independence from public authorities. Although mutual societies are required to comply with national legislation and are consequently subject to supervision by these same authorities, democratic control of their functioning is exercised primarily by their statutory bodies. Their autonomy and democratic structure serve as a guarantee of dynamism and constant adaptation of their services to respond to actual needs.
Added value of health and social mutuals
Just as mutual benefit societies played an historic role in the resolution of the social issues raised by industrialisation during the late 19th century -- they created the foundation for the welfare state -- they are well placed to formulate responses to new social problems posed by the current societal transformation, that is, the emergence of the information society. Mutual societies play a vital role in civil society. Sociological studies have shown that participation in social life makes a strong contribution to tolerance and democracy. In our societies, increasingly marked by the rise of individualism and intolerance, the social economy fulfils a function of social cohesion and active citizenship. Health and social mutual societies' commitment to the service of others, and more particularly the sick and vulnerable social groups, takes the form of various forms of volunteerism. As there activity is organised around the not-for-profit principle there key aim is the service to the members.
The role of health and social mutuals in the world
The members of AIM play a different role. These roles are all determined by the national healthcare and social security systems. |
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