Past Institute lectures

Hope

The capacity to hope is common to human experience, and often confounds easy answers. Hope looks beyond the present, and may be found in the darkest of situations. Hope can inspire, support perseverance, and motivate change. Without hope, our capacity to build good relationships is curtailed. But as a virtue, it needs to be nourished and curated. On what basis, if any, is it possible to be hopeful today? What values can help to build hope where it is in short supply? Where is hope to be found in public life? What will kindle hope in the hearts of public servants and public service institutions, and how can they foster that hope in the people they serve? What role can faith communities play in this?