Patron’s Lecture: why social capital matters

This year’s keynote speaker is world-renowned political scientist Robert D. Putnam, author of the groundbreaking work Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, which has shaped global conversations on the importance of communal ties and social capital.Robert Putnam will be speaking to us about the vital role of social connections in combating the deepening crises of social isolation, political polarization, and economic inequality, drawing on insights from his latest work The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again.Divisions can be healed, he argues. Our fraying social fabric rewoven. By focusing on rebuilding society’s relational foundations, we can create a future where everyone has the connections they need to thrive.Following his keynote address, Professor Putnam will be joined in conversation by RSA CEO Andy Haldane, and partners from the first-of-its-kind Revealing Social Capital research programme, which is exploring how connectedness impacts life outcomes and opportunities across the UK, from social mobility to health and education.Chair:Andy Haldane, RSA CEOSpeakers:Sir Nick Clegg, President of Global Affairs, MetaRobert D. Putnam, Malkin Research Professor of Public Policy, Harvard UniversityMarnie Freeman, co-founder and director, Neighbourly LabSarah Hemminger, co-founder and CEO, ThreadBecome an RSA Events sponsor: https://utm.guru/ueembFollow RSA Events on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thersaorg/Follow the RSA on Twitter: https://twitter.com/theRSAorgDonate to the RSA: https://thersa.co/3XPiI1kLike RSA Events on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theRSAorg/Listen to RSA Events podcasts: https://bit.ly/35EyQYUJoin our Fellowship: https://www.thersa.org/fellowship/join