Social Capital: Links defining it

Here is an important list that could help us understand social capital taken from http://www.masternewmedia.org/2004/05/06/what_is_social_capital.htm. Social capital is an impotant concept in building a social entreprise.

Definitions of Social Capital (also referred to as Social Cohesion/Social Support) on the Web:
This is a term developed by social scientists to describe social networks and contacts. Social capital theory argues that strong social capital is ...http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=OYsCDl_3hdDslgWuyS9_wg&q=http://www.idea-knowledge.gov.uk/idk/core/page.do%3FpageId%3D80939&usg=AFQjCNFeBRA5ry-eqtRBQYYeHb6HLtPx4Q
The networks of relationships among persons, firms, and institutions in a society, together with associated norms of behavior, trust, cooperation, etc., that enable a society to function effectively.www-personal.umich.edu/~alandear/glossary/s.html
People, their capacity levels, institutions, cultural cohesion, education, information, skills, and knowledge.http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=2&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=ts87Vafte4-K6yT1IaAMhQ&q=http://www.smarte.org/smarte/resource/sn-glossary.xml&usg=AFQjCNGQPozilJfE0JfvxUzcTl7GXuYPNg
The individual and communal time and energy that is available for such things as community improvement, social networking, civic engagement, personal recreation, and other activities that create social bonds between individuals and groups. ...0-www.cdc.gov.mill1.sjlibrary.org/healthyplaces/terminology.htm
A "composite measure" which reflects both the breadth and depth of civic community (staying informed about community life and participating in its associations) as well as the public's participation in political life. ...mapp.naccho.org/mapp_glossary.asp
is the attitude, spirit and willingness of people to engage in collective, civic activities. Over time, social capital builds what may be termed as social infrastructure, a key item discussed in the Strategic Social Plan.http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=5&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=kM8bNhPpUyHnvLv2wWds6Q&q=http://www.envision.ca/templates/profile.asp%3FID%3D56&usg=AFQjCNFHQMp3WInyaPUTjwTTg0cnhDOkdQ
Networks, understanding and values that shape the way we relate to each other and participate in social activities.http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=6&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=In6eAPCJt-Jd8GBYKQnyMA&q=http://www.cpa.ie/povertyinireland/glossary.htm&usg=AFQjCNH9-erqhP8T5KeNJP4JsToxXGHLZw
The value and cooperation created through social human relationships or networks.http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=7&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=eAVRluhtF1YVKgS_DKfKVQ&q=http://www.pfc.ca/cms_en/page1112.cfm&usg=AFQjCNFe1NgncHju4wBjOEoO3aW-keDenA
The degree to which a community or society collaborates and cooperates (through such mechanisms as networks, shared trust, norms and values) to achieve mutual benefits. There are many definitions and discussions about social capital, for more information see Robert D. ...http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=8&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=gNxRyCbbq_OhLTjAhKNZfw&q=http://www.icfdn.org/publications/blurredborders/40definitions.htm&usg=AFQjCNGpf4EUEQVbKZfULO_kWD_vjwUmUg
Physical or real capital that is owned by the public sector rather than by private firms.globaledge.msu.edu/resourceDesk/glossary.asp
the networks and connections between people that contribute to social cohesionhttp://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=10&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=jCTvmKJL9PCXmLLveueyLA&q=http://www.environment.gov.au/soe/2006/publications/integrative/coastal/glossary.html&usg=AFQjCNE9vCoSJjtlFCWDulUXpvugrDAiWQ
is defined as “the social resources…developed through networks and connectedness, membership of more formal groups, and relationships of trust, reciprocity and exchange’ (Phillips 2001). ...http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=11&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=1ANA194aGlU_ZAAi-u9bvw&q=http://www.wmin.ac.uk/builtenv/maxlock/KTweb/Report/Annex5.doc&usg=AFQjCNE4v9TYBBAOzut26ZYRFgi9cAnBRA
The total stock of a society's productive assets, including those that allow the manufacture of the marketable outputs that create private-sector profits, and those that create non-marketed outputs, such as defence and education (Bannock et al., 1992, 396).poli.haifa.ac.il/~levi/res/dicpe.html
The value of social networks that people can draw on to solve common problems. The benefits of social capital flow from the trust, reciprocity, information, and cooperation associated with social networks.450.aers.psu.edu/glossary_search.cfm
Human life and values can be defined as social capital. Defining the biological demands of human life also falls under the discipline of human ecology.http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=14&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=MyxsuTE4QUWLCyz0g2PshA&q=http://www.foodshedproject.ca/glossary.html&usg=AFQjCNEiq0kFDYbXhVtGYa2CooXRQWKFkQ
Social capital is a core concept in business, economics, organizational behaviour, political science, and sociology, defined as the advantage created by a person's location in a structure of relationships. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social capital
Defined by the OECD as “…networks, together with shared norms, values and understandings which facilitate cooperation within or among groups”.http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=16&oi=define&ei=_y8NR62cF4mY-gL516ha&sig2=mi4P3ugi-OPJWSR2dtwRUQ&q=http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/SARC/E-Democracy/Final_Report/Glossary.htm&usg=AFQjCNH5L6eudn3DcoGs8-ctoGg5LQQnsg

Micro Finance for Reconstruction of Post Conflict Countries

There are several examples in which micro finance has been used to bring reconstruction to post conflict countries. One example is the Sudan Micro finance founded in 2004 by the Chemonics International through a USAID funding. This micro finance project assisted South Sudan in various ways as follow:

• Establish a monetized economy
• Strengthen the capacity of local entrepreneurs
• Encourage the repatriation of entrepreneurial skils
• Provide returnees with capital to start businesses
• Peace building and reconciliation through trade

So far, this program had great impact in South Sudan in 2004 to present. It also is paving way for the creation of several commercial banks and ultimately the central bank of Sudan. South Sudan has always been a unique case as it uses several currencies: Ugandan, Kenyan and Sudanese.

Certainly, we shall write more in this area in the future. In Rwanda too IRC and Catholic Relief Service is also doing much in this area.