TEDxRadboudU, the TEDx conference organised by Radboud University  as part of its 90 year anniversary celebrations, has been opened by none other than Desmond Tutu. The South African archbishop and anti-apartheid activist addressed  the audience at the Vereeniging via a large screen and said:

“It is a privilege to welcome you to TEDxRadboudU in Nijmegen. I would have loved to be with you in person, but I’m older than I look and must therefore ask you to put up with me on a screen. I am honoured to be able to address you in this way, and assure you that my words are no less sincere.

You have gathered to discuss a beautiful theme: Re-building Trust. “Trust” is such a simple little word, yet so heavily loaded. “Re-building Trust” is a close relative of “Re-Conciliation”, a notion I have grappled with for much of my life.

Of course, in South Africa, reconciliation was a pragmatic response to begin to heal after centuries of colonial and apartheid prejudice and division. But in order for reconciliation to take root, former protagonists require confidence in a better future. This is where trust enters the equation. Trust in the future makes reconciliation possible. And reconciliation makes co-existence, living together, possible. Trust is the foundation of living together, of society.

But what is going well in the Netherlands is that according to international research, yours are among the happiest children on earth. What a privilege it must be to grow up in such a country.

How is a discussion about Rebuilding Trust relevant to a country with the happiest children in the world?

You have gathered in Nijmegen today to discuss rebuilding trust because trust is one of the most basic foundation stones of our living together, of our co-existence as members of God’s family.

Because trust is good, it does not necessarily follow that distrust is bad. Distrust certainly has its place. Governments, institutions and, yes, even people are sometimes distrusted with good reason. However, distrust can be an expression of involvement. And where there’s involvement, there’s dialogue. The danger of lacking trust is not distrust, but cynicism. Cynicism means abandonment. It means turning your back on society. It means locking it out and refusing to be a part of society, refusing to live together. Refusing to acknowledge that we are sociable beings, made for each other.

An active formulation such as Rebuilding Trust begs the questions: “Who makes the first move?” , and, “Who is willing to roll up their sleeves?”

I pray that this day will inspire you, each in your own way and using the resources you have at your disposal, to add a single stone to the foundation of trust.

God bless you!”