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QfWf: Cultural ANBI status

doneer aan de QFWF

The Quest for wisdom foundation (QfWf) has a cultural ANBI status.
What that means according to the ficus is explained here:  Public Benefit Organizations / Culturele ANBI

Donate? Yes, please: thanks!

In 2026 we have cancelled the expensive Mollie-service. As a consequence the Donation button does not work anymore. So please, donate via a bank transfer:

bankrekening IBAN: NL14TRIO0777827654

The reason for cancellation is that the monthly costs of this service are too high for our limited budget.

Donate? Yes, please!

Cultural ANBI-Status Obligations

Below is the (annual) publication obligation on our website

State of affairs: end of 2025

Publication Obligation Regarding the Cultural ANBI status

1-3: Business data QfWf:

4: The QfWf Goals:

Intercultural Art of Living for Inclusion and Transcultural Connections

The objectives of the QfWf are based upon the statutes of the Quest for Wisdom foundation. As founded in 2016 statuten volgens de oprichtingsakte Stichting Quest for Wisdom foundation. 

5: The QfWf Policy plan: the intercultural art of living

The QfWf policy is planned in detailed multi-year plans, as documented in point 9: Beleidsplan-QfWf-2024-2026

Objectives and Policy Plans stem from the QfWf Mission and Vision:

The Quest for wisdom was founded on the 20th of September 2016 by Dr. Heidi S.C.A. Muijen with the mission of fostering a culture of openness towards inclusion and cultural diversity. This objective of the foundation according to the statuten calls for an intercultural art of living as response(ablility), given the fear of ‘the strange other’ in order to develop inter-cultural connections as ‘multicultural society’ by means of:

  • historical awareness of the (inter)cultural roots of wisdom traditions;
  • interest in other cultures and wisdom traditions and
  • engaging in inter-esse by living encouters and cross-pollination between cultures

To this end, the QfWf-programmes are cocreated by paying attention to the cultural-historical contexts of the collected stories, rituals and symbolism from wisdom traditions from North and South, East and West on the one hand; on the other hand, by highlighting transcultural values, like hospitality, empathy and humanity through music, visual arts and other intercultural expressions, that help to transform the globalizing society.

Being able to deal well with differences is a pressing as well as delicate issue of late modern times; a social question that sparks intolerant opinions and heated political and religious debates. To stay away from polarizing discussions, the QfWf focusses on inter-cultural connections, following a path of ‘glocalization’ ― a combined perspective of ‘the local’ with ‘the global’. In this way, the QfWf aims to contribute to a cosmopolitan mindset in growing Circles of Concern (Martha Nussbaum). This integrative approach was discussed by the late emeritus professor Couwenberg on the Wisdomweb.

Dealing with differences: World Citizenship!

The QfWf activities continue to take place together with a growing circle of stakeholders, who share the mission of the foundation – as visualized and expressed in the ‘Wheel of the Intercultural Art of Living’.

Therefore, the QfWf focusses on creating awareness of who ‘we’ are as citizens of the cosmopolis: nomads with intercultural identities, transcending differences in culture, race, religion, ethnicity, gender,…

Diagram met de 17 duurzame ontwikkelingsdoelen door de V.N. op 25 September 2015 aangenomen als deel van de 2030 Agenda
Diagram with the 17 sustainable development goals

The QfWf-goal of world citizenship follows a path of developing inter-cultural artistic programmes both by tapping into the cultural and historical contexts of stories, art, music, rituals, and symbolism from various wisdom traditions, as well as creating in-between spaces through living encounters with music, visual arts, and dialogue, expressing values that connect cultures — like mercy, empathy, and humanity — to foster an ethos of world citizenship in the dynamic field of a globalizing society.

By stimulating the recognition of the beauty of our differences and shared commonality, instead of a fear of ‘otherness’, through artistic and (inter-)cultural expressions, the QfWf seeks to create space both in-between people for a human world (Hannah Arendt) and establish meaningful connections between cultures!

Hospitality, respect and inclusion and other shared values of humanity are what truly connect people as sisters and brothers ― opening a common playing field for all, established by the core value of reciprocity! Please, contact us on out vision and mission: bestuur@questforwisdom.org

6, 7: The Board of the QfWf

8: Remuneration policy for the QfWf Board

The members of the board do not receive any remuneration for their work. They are, however, entitled to reimbursement of costs incurred in the performance of their duties, such as, for example, a travel allowance.

Board members cannot dispose of the assets of the institution separately. There is a separate bank account in the name of the QfWf. In addition, an annual financial overview is drawn up by the treasurer of the QfWf. This overview is discussed and adopted during an annual board meeting (at which at least 3 members of the board are present).

9: Report of the Activities Performed

The Quest for Wisdom carries out its activities through the voluntary efforts of a Circle of dedicated artists, writers, and other volunteers. The occasionally awarded grants have given the QfWf-projects a boost.

The grant applied for in 2025 by an alliance of 8 organisations to the municipality of Amsterdam was unfortunately not awarded. However, this application did provide a spin-off for a new collaboration and for exposure, such as participating at the event in Pakhuis de Zwijger in Amsterdam on 19 March 2026 during the week celebrating 60 years of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, established by the UN after the Sharpeville massacre of 21 March 1960.

In 2021 as well as in 2024 the QfWf received funding, due to the cultural and social relevance of her activities. The first grant in 2021 was given for developing an intercultural storytelling programme during the Corona lockdown which was presented on a specially designed website Animal Wisdom including an educative offer with a series of ebooks.

The second grant in 2024 on Global Citizenship resulted in organizing several events around a visual exhibition with an intercultural program and the launching of a digital platform for the Golden Ratio Quest around a yearly theme of the intercultural art of living.

Hereby, the QfWf has integrated the three Quest for Wisdom to serve the shared goal of world citizenship: through the Wisdom Web; Quest 2 ― Golden Ratio of Educative Materials; and Quest 3 ― Meet, by means of Annual Meeting Days, Workshops, Masterclasses, Newsletter ‘Spinning web’ and the Video channel.

From 2024 onwards the three Quests are integrated focussing on the enhancement of world citizenship by developing every year an intercultural artistic and educative programme which is presented on the Yearly Meeting Day as well as on the digital platform The Golden Ratio.

Awarding Cultural ANBI-status
Toekenning Culturele ANBI-status

Since its foundation in 2016 the QfWf celebrated on 6 July 2018 that it has been recognized by the Tax Authorities as a Algemeen Nut Beogende Cultural Instelling (cultural ANBI-status) with its objective and activities in retrospect since 1 January 2018.

See below the reports of QfWf-policy for activities in chronological order:

Annual Reports of the QfWf

Update 2026-08

QfWf: Cultural ANBI status Read More »

Wisdom Collection (e-)books

Golden Ratio Collections — Animal Wisdom Collection — Wisdom Collection

Amor Mundi presented in the OBA Weesp

The QfWf Wisdom Collection is written by QfWf-authors, to disclose the richness of cultures worldwide with stories, music, visual arts, philosophical and spiritual traditions. Thereby, the wisdom from North, South, East and West is shown in multifaceted and artistic forms. The Wisdom Collection contains both general and intercultural essays as in-depth explorations to highlight specific artistic wisdom from cultural traditions.

These (e)books are published in the Dutch and/or English language; and sometimes multilingual. The proceeds of these (e)books will entirely benefit this programme and upcoming QfWf projects. We hope for a wide and interested audience for this entire varied series.

The first three books in the QfWf Wisdom Collection has been published in a physical form, due to a grant awarded in 2023 by the Cultural Participation Fund for the ‘QfWf Global Citizenship from the Street program’.

The fourth and next publications in the series are all ebooks (pdf).

  • The series opens with Amor Fati: Spelende wijsheid voor de kosmopolis in which Heidi Muijen explores the question of global citizenship through the Wheel of the Intercultural Art of Living. The book thus highlights both the vision of the Quest for Wisdom foundation and the background for the board game of the same name developed by her, which addresses mythical-philosophical symbolism from the four corners of the world. A
    Greg Suffanti telling about his aquarelles for Amor Fati

    series of watercolours, Chinese brush paintings, drawings and collages by Greg Suffanti, Agnes Roothaan, Louis van Marissing, Annelie van Steenbergen, Caroline Young, Nour Kayali, Klaske Rehorst, Josee Tesser, Elin Maljaars, Maya Plas & Mitra Muijen depict intercultural themes as a common thread throughout the book. (NL, EN, 2024, ISBN 978 90 441 3970 9)

  • The second book (Post)Koloniale wa(a)r(d)en by Fred de Haas contains layered reflections on (post)colonial history: the author mirrors the Caribbean and Latin-American identity in poetry and literature, also with poems written by his own hand. The portraits of poets and historical figures in black-and-white drawings by Josee Tesser has given a lighthearted touch to this heavy history of oppression. In addition, the approximately 100 clickable links to musical interpretations bring the intercultural identities of Caribbean and Latin-American peoples into experience. (NL, ESP, Papiaments, Creools, 2025, ISBN 978-94-927-273, hard cover en ISBN 978-94-927-297, e-book)
  • The third book Amor Mundi: Wereldburgerschap van de straat — with editors Heidi Muijen, Klaske Rehorst en Robin Stemerding and many authors from the QfWf-Circle — documents the project ‘World Citizenship of the Street’ with art, poetry, images, raps, intercultural and philosophical reflections of the Quest for Wisdom Soul Circle how the world dream of the cosmopolis is developed into artistic forms for current contexts. (NL, EN, 2024. ISBN 978-94-92-127-198)
  • Hans van Rappard expertly explains the fascinating Chinese and European wisdom traditions in an intercultural-philosophical manner in e-book 4, Walking Two Roads, Accord and Separation in Chinese and Western Thought (EN. 2023. ISBN 978-94-92-127-204)
  • In e-book 5 Russische Zigeunerromances, Fred de Haas opens up a hitherto little-exposed genre of Gypsy Romances with its rich intercultural and historical sources. The (90!) clickable links to beautiful old and newer renditions, including the musical renditions of Fred de Haas (guitar and vocals) and Ralph Kreuter (balalaika), are surprising. (NL, RU, 2023. ISBN 978-94-92-127-211)
  • In e-book 6 Middeleeuwse chirurgie in woord en beeld, Marcel Reyners has made a unique combination of the drawings of Şerefeddin Sabuncuoğlu (1385–1468) with the text of ‘The Method of Medicine’ of Albucasis (936–1013). He illuminates medieval surgery, drawing on his years of life, travel and work experience. (NL. 2023, ISBN 978-94-92-127-228)
  • E-book 7, Ik ben iemand die intens leefde… — Bloemlezing: gedichten en illustraties by Marianne H.B. van Halewijn contains a large collection of poems and mandalas, bequeathed by the author to the Quest for Wisdom foundation. This colourful anthology expresses an intensely felt cosmic connection. (NL, 2024, ISBN 978 94 92 127 174)
  • E-book 8, Knipoogjes: Korte en luchtige tijdreisjes in gezelschap van Henry Bergson, consists of columns in which serious issues are light-heartedly addressed by Rosalie de Wildt. The illustrations, watercolours by Greg Suffanti, add a humorous, colourful and intercultural layer to Rosalie’s philosophical reflections. (NL, 2024, ISBN 978 94 92 127 181)
  • E-book 9, Het duurde maar even … – Gedichten die mij raakten consists of translations by Fred de Haas of about 60 poems in Creole, German, French, Galician, Papiamento, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian…. (NL, multilingual, 2024, ISBN 978 94 92 127 242)
  • E-book 10, Eye of the Tiger – Colorful Heritage of the Far East contains a unique collection of Chinese brush drawings by Caroline R. Young, interspersed with historical and mythical stories from the Far East. (EN, 2025, ISBN 978 94 92 127 259)
  • Volume 11, Plempius Vopiscus Fortunatus: Amsterdammer, Professor in Leuven (1633-1671), by Marcel Reyners, sketches the life of this Amsterdammer and Leuven professor and his position in the philosophical-medical debate between ancient Galenic medicine and the emerging Cartesian mechanical approach to the body. In addition to a discussion of the significance of Plempius’ work for the development of medicine, this edition contains an extensive bibliography and remarkable illustrations of medical instruments and writings that bring this time of transition to life.
    (NL, 2026, ISBN 978 94 92 127 303)
  • In Volume 12, Traveling with an Expat: 20 Years on the Road on 3 Continents, Marie-Claire Marx describes her life as an expat, together with her husband and physician Marcel Reyners, in Asia, Africa, and Europe. Starting in 1998, they traveled to Cambodia, Albania, and Kenya and immersed themselves in the cultural and historical backgrounds of the people of these countries, including the Khmer Rouge reign of terror. This intercultural context, together with the author’s own photographic material, provides a unique perspective on the necessity of drawing historical lessons for global citizenship.
    (NL, 2026, ISBN 978 94 92 127 310)

QfWf-Wisdom Collection — (E-)Books

Purchase of educational materials

The financial benefits from these (e)books and other educational materials – which are all realised by volunteers – will entirely benefit this programme and upcoming QfWf-projects.

Update 2026-08

Wisdom Collection (e-)books Read More »