Honorary Graduates

Orations and responses

Response by Ian Marks CBE DL

Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Ladies and Gentlemen. It is a great honour to be here today, and to receive an Honorary Doctorate from this highly respected University. I, sincerely, thank The Senate for conferring on me such a very special recognition.

Having lived in Essex for virtually all my life, I have watched with a range of emotions over the years your growth and development. From absolute delight at the start up to real concerns at some of the initial problems and now great pride as our University has won such wide acclaim, especially for its research work.

Congratulations on your success, and of course it makes me doubly honoured to be here. Thank you.

My academic training was in Economics. As an illiterate mathematician I learnt the value of honest statistical analysis in providing guidance on strategies to improve society. However even at that stage I was deeply concerned about the unquestioning belief in maximising the growth of GDP as the key way to improving the wellbeing of the Nation.

There is so much more to life than material possessions. I am delighted that new measures of wellbeing are being developed – ones that take into consideration many more factors than material wealth. We hear about people – particularly young people who feel disengaged. We all need to be part of something – to be connected. Being connected is critical – you connect with those whom you trust.

Those of you here in the Department for Social and Economic Research will know the term "Social Capital" "the value of connectedness and trust between people". No doubt you know better than I how to measure it. As I understand it research shows that the higher the levels of Social Capital in an area, the better the health, the higher the educational achievement, the better chances of employment and the lower the crime rate. So building Social Capital is important.

Local Committees, just like the networks you have experienced here, are about people – it starts with individuals like you and me, volunteers of all ages with a common concern about what matters locally. One, two or three people coming together to tackle something that needs doing.

A Community Foundation is set up to invest in those people - to build Social Capital - to improve the well being in its community. Our Community Foundation in Essex – though young - only seven years old, now has endowed capital of £4 million and last year invested £2 million in 400 locally based voluntary and community groups.

Interestingly there are some 10,000 such voluntary groups in Essex which shows how much caring and connecting is actually happening – a considerable force which demonstrates that although we have massive problems, marvellous work is being done at the grass roots.

Community Foundations started in the States in the early 1900s and is now internationally the fastest growth form of charitable giving – they are growing across what might be called New Europe – old state run countries now being helped to develop charitable models like ours.

In fact, in the last few weeks the Community Foundation for Northern Ireland has won the First Annual Raymond Georis prize for Philanthropy in Europe. Their considerable record in peace building is being exported to help other regions ravaged by conflict and divided communities.

Now as you move on to your next stage of life, take pride in your academic achievement. Hold true to the rigour of your training. Retain a healthy questioning mentality. All is not well out there. Use this privilege of a sound academic training - for no doubt it is a privilege – not only to develop your own personal well being which is vital, but also for others around you to help rebuild Social Capital wherever you may be.

Congratulations on your graduation and I wish you well.

Please, pursue your own personal passion - your personal passion - for pursuing your personal passion will ensure you achieve your full potential. Your own wellbeing will enable you to help others around you achieve theirs.

Congratulations to all the academic staff here for not only helping these graduates achieve success but also for building such a great institution.

Thank you, Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for granting this honour to me. You have my utmost respect for achievements of this university – may it go from strength to strength and develop many many more brilliant graduates.

Ian Marks CBE DL
14 July 2004