Date: Mar 21, 2018 Source: The Daily Star Rome II: Lebanon building global trust Rubina Abu Zeinab-Chahine In the Italian capital, on March 15, 2018, Prime Minister Saad Hariri in his opening speech of the Rome II conference said: “We are here to build trust because we have acknowledged that a viable security for Lebanon is a viable security for the region.” Trust is evolving as a crucial issue confronting present-day governments. Citizens are asking themselves this very same question: How well is the country doing collectively, rather than how well is anyone doing individually? This determines the level of social and political trust both in the developed and the developing world. Answering that simple question that occupies the mind of any ordinary citizen today reflects how successful a government has been in contributing to a better understanding and fostering of trust and good governance. Trust is a fundamental requirement for achieving stability, social peace and prosperity, especially given the increased level of interdependence among communities and countries today. Trust has many variants – moral, social, political, economic and technological – that do not emerge or operate in a vacuum and cannot be taken for granted. There is no cooperation or collective action and there are no social contracts unless a minimum level of trust among communities and within the broader environment is maintained. Today, trust arises as one of the most important elements upon which the legitimacy and sustainability of political systems are built. Yet, it is much more than that; in any social, economic and political relationship, trust can be an effective means for lowering transaction costs, according to political scientist and author Francis Fukuyama. It is the foundation of all human and social contacts and institutional interaction. In an increasingly complex and fragile landscape, conflict and violence are considered critical development challenges hindering efforts to ensure security, stability and strengthen shared prosperity. Increasing the level of trust by addressing economic, social and cultural development as well as building a safe society and preventing the growth of the seeds of extremism in all its forms is part of a broader approach to help societies overcome this challenge. Supporting trust-building between the society, state and its institutions on the one hand, and the international community on the other, is among what has been achieved in the Rome II conference. “The Rome II conference today is a part of a coherent, comprehensive international work,” as Federica Mogherini, the high representative of the European Union for foreign affairs and security policy and vice president of the European Commission, described it in her speech at the conference. “A strong, secure, and resilient Lebanon is our collective interest,” she added. The Rome II conference, titled “Lebanon, building trust: a viable security for the country and the region,” attended by representatives of 41 countries, NATO and the U.N., was organized by the International Support Group for Lebanon as a further step in the Lebanese government’s achievements in the process of building trust at all levels. Rome II, held in support of the Lebanese security forces, is the first of three events where the international community is set to renew its trust in and support for Lebanon and its institutions. Together with the CEDRE conference in Paris in April on economic investment and reform, and later the second Brussels conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region, it is the most favorable time to act toward achieving shared objectives, aiming at a better future built on trust and understanding. Optimism about the future is a key determinant of trust and the three conferences are a significant investment in the “business of hope.” Trust is a current crucial challenge for sustainability, stability and security. The increased reliance on exchange, specifically where the exchange involves building trust, is a further step in mitigating the challenge. In a ministerial statement on Dec. 27, 2016, Hariri’s Cabinet considered “rebuilding trust” as a mission by committing to societal transitions conducive to more socio-economic opportunity, good governance, inclusion, justice and dialogue, with a solid consensus that “rebuilding trust” will get the country back on track when it comes to building a common vision and addressing national challenges. Why is trust vital for good governance in Lebanon? How can the government and its institutions foster and develop trust in a manner and level that guarantee good governance? How does trust relate to the new social, political and economic requirements and why is it important, today more than ever, in maintaining security, stability and promoting prosperity? These are all questions that are important to understanding the circular relationship between trust and good governance. While trust in government leads to good governance, good governance strengthens trust in all its variants. Rubina Abu Zeinab-Chahine is executive director of the Hariri Foundation for Sustainable Human Development. A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Daily Star on March 21, 2018, on page 3.