Conference report 'Sociaal vertrouwen. Immateriële waarde binnen ontwikkelingssamenwerking.'

18 June 2009Download (320.7 KB)

The Knowledge Centre Religion and Development organised in 2009 two symposia about social trust, related to development work. Social trust is found where people trust the good intentions of others and are confident that others can carry out their intentions within their social and institutional contexts. At both symposia, the importance of trust within companies and between companies and their partners was stressed. Especially in the development sector, where measuring the effects and the efficiency of the projects is very important, building social trust helps to improve relationships. Experts advised the participants how to give 'hands and feet' to this value.

These two symposia were an elaboration of the outcomes of the international conference Transforming Development, organised by the KCRD in 2007. One of the conclusions was that immaterial values such as trust and relationality, were seen as important, but at the same time they often did not get enough attention. 

First symposium: May 14, 2009

In the first symposium, Dr. Muel Kaptein (Rotterdam School of Management and KPMG) showed how specific aspects of organizational structure and culture can support the integrity of people within an organization, without excessive rules and sanctions.  This has a positive effect on mutual perceptions of trustworthiness, which is an important factor in social trust.

Second symposium: June 18, 2009

The second symposium has highlighted the other side of the equation: while the trustworthiness of one's partners is important, the ability to trust them is also a personal virtue. Pauline Voortman (Bureau Zuidema BV) offered interdisciplinary insights into new possiblilities to cultivate trust, with special attention to communication skills and personal leadership.

Each symposium included a panel discussion with professionals from the member organisations of the Knowledge Centre Religion and Development. 

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