Michael Smith, freelance journalist from the UK and author of Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy – stories of people making a difference, spoke about his book to a Dutch audience, at the Initiatives of Change Centre in The Hague on 11 December, 2007.

Michael Smith talking with members of the audience

The audience, included a number of students and people at the beginning of their careers. They were keen to know 'how they could translate the message of the book into their daily lives at work.' The author gave a more detailed description of one of the initiatives taken by personalities from India referred to in the book, but advised people to read the book for themselves. This was good advice, as 50 copies of the book were sold at the event.

If even a few of those copies receive the same response as the one I received over the phone, from an editor of a major Dutch national paper, then a future edition of the book is likely to include a number of stories about people in the Netherlands ‘who are making a difference’.

This editor who called me, had only been able to skim through the book, but she said she was very enthusiastic about it, as she is tackling the issue of corporate responsibility with renewed interest. She is keen to meet with the author on one of her next trips to London.

There was great appreciation for the timeliness of this book, as the stories of the people it depicts ‘represent role models: people who have been able to combine ethical values and social responsibility with entrepreneurship, sustainability and profitable business’.

A student was so inspired by the power point visualization of one of the chapters in the book, that he wants to apply for an internship at the rural development community project in Walkerswood, Jamaica.

Maarten de Pous is Senior Advisor, Caux Round Table

Read more about the book Trust and integrity in the global economy