The space between the government and the citizenry is often empty or filled with narrow interest groups. Is there an alternative? Dr. Carl Stauffer examined the concept of Deliberative Democracy on the final day of The Trust Factor.

We must take the time to see, respect, understand and reach out to the human beings behind the civic roles, titles and groups we interact with. Three speakers shared stories and perspectives from their experiences as civic trustbuilders at the final event of The Trust Factor.

Hope. Obama won the presidency on it. America was built on it. But how are we supposed to maintain hope for equality in a nation that once institutionalized inequality? That went to war to maintain that inequality? That designated people, based on their skin color, as either an entire person or 3/5ths of one?

Champions of trustbuilding are all over the earth. Some operate across the world’s divides while others work on a national scale. Many work right in the neighborhood, building trust on the street corner and in the living room. Four renowned trustbuilders were honored Friday night, illuminating the efforts of those who live The Trust Factor.

On the Thursday evening of The Trust Factor, a panel of four DC-based investment professionals inspired us to look at our money as a tool for social change. We learned there are many ways to be socially responsible in our financial lives, whether we have $100 or $100,000.

Americans hold dear Jefferson’s declaration of ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.’ But whose happiness did Jefferson have in mind – the individual citizen, or society as a whole? Have our attempts to achieve personal happiness destroyed the fabric of trust needed for our country to function effectively?

The wounds of the Civil War and segregation policies are as foreign to me, as a Californian, as the North Pole; I know they exist, I have heard about them, but I have never seen these wounds first-hand. Thanks to a private tour from John W. Franklin of The National Museum of African American History and Culture, I had the chance to gain a deeper understanding of the struggle that defined our nation's race relations.

What would happen if old folks and young folks and in-between folks learned how to trust one another? A couple of young women wanted to know the answer and organized an inter-generational dialogue to find out.

Community support. Innovation and ingenuity. An open mind and heart. American University students participating in the Washington Semester used these abstract terms to define “trustbuilder.”

Authentic and fearless, four trustbuilders call upon spiritual reserves to address needs in society. Their actions are a testament to strong foundations, which they revealed Tuesday night as part of The Trust Factor week of events.

Global protests fill the news, angry people demanding change. What is the real problem? Whose job is it to find a solution? And what are the consequences if we don’t? Find the answers at The Trust Factor.

The question of trust is in the air.The Trust Factor puts it on the table. So what are you willing to do for trust?