Identifying, assessing, protecting, developing and creating Social Capital

Organized by the UN SDG Lab on September 12th 2017, several international organizations and countries were invited to attend a presentation and discussion of the World Social Capital Monitor, the innovative set of indicators for the SDG, provided by the Basel Institute of Commons and Economics at the Palais des Nations of the UNOG. Among the contributors was Jos Verbeek, representant of the World Bank in Geneva, who introduced the entire history of the Social Capital Initiative of the Worldbank since 1992 yet. You can read Verbeek’s input to the social dimension of the SDG here: http://blogs.worldbank.org/voices/forgotten-dimension-sdg-indicators-social-capital

H.E. Dr. Ibrahim Khraishi, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to the United Nations (right) with Christian Lonnqvist (left) and Alexander Dill (midst) at the Embassy of Palestine

Across the event the Basel Institute could hold separate meetings with ten UN missions in order to following the motto of the SDG which is to leaving noone behind.
Since the expulsion of hundreds of thousands Palestinians in 1948, the so called Nakba, the occupied territories more than many countries only survived due to the solidarity, helpfulness and friendliness across their citizens and friends.
Palestine is literally built on Social Capital.
Of course this Social Capital can now being the asset to finally achieving peace and reconciliation.
Especially while experts do not expect less Social Capital on the other side of the wall that divides this beautiful region of Olive and Orange trees, herbs and calm atriums, bridging Social Capital will help to making the first steps.
The commitment of the World Social Capital Monitor to Goal No. 16 – which is peace – includes to starting where peace is needed most.

Salām – and hopefully as well Shalom – to all people in the Middle East!