Trust, the theme 2024

(Re)building trust

"Trust is one's man divine possibility...", Henry de Montherlant

The question of trust underlies all contemporary challenges. It is the foundation of both individual and collective existence. Trusting others, showing confidence, believing that something is true: throughout our lives, from the moment we are born, we are constantly confronted with the dilemma of confidence, which implies both taking risks and revealing who we really are.

In a world of uncertainty, it is crucial that trust should be used by individuals to genuinely engage with each other and build a common culture to share. Yet nowedays, this bond of trust that unites individuals and weaves the fabric of community life is  jeopardised by growing mistrust of institutions, experts and, more recently, scientists.

This pernicious phenomenon fosters intolerance, mutual surveillance, incivilities and resentment to the detriment of the humanist values that are the bedrock of society, such as solidarity, both economic and cultural openness, as well as respect for others.

How did we get to this point that is gradually eroding community life and destroying the possibilities for emancipation and awe ?  Whether in economics, politics, philosophy or culture, it seems vital -now more than ever- that we should address the issues of our time with confidence.