The phase "social capital" is now being used a great deal. There are various definitions of it. It relates to the various networks that hold society together. It provides a form of social cohesion. The role of the voluntary sector is particularly important.

The concern over social capital is a good example of the phrase from the pop song that "you don't know what you've got until you've lost it". It is difficult to quantify the loss of social capital- but there is a general sense of uneasiness about the way in which society is heading. This has been supported by observations from social commentators, such as Robert Putnam, whose most recent book is called "Bowling Alone". Putnam has noted the way in the United States that people still go to indoor bowling venues but not so much to play against each other teams - they prefer to bowl alone. Here in Australia there is concern about the decline of community organizations, such as churches and service clubs.

Meanwhile, there is also concern that there may be a negative correlation between a drop in social cohesion and a rise in crime. The more people live lonely lives, so the greater is the increase in anti-social behaviour or ill-health

Wesley Mission is a major provider of social capital. Indeed, the church generally has been a major provider of social capital for 2,000 years. The church has always had a holistic approach: a recognition that a person requires support for the physical, mental and spiritual dimensions of life. Meanwhile, the church has always been a focal point of societal activities.

Wesley Mission offers a range of services and activities. It is a one-stop shop, with various ways in which a person may get involved, including opportunities for voluntary work, fellowship groups, and learning projects. For example, the Mission pioneered the Pleasant Sunday Afternoon (PSA) well over a century ago as a way of engaging a person's interest throughout a Sunday. A person could attend the services and the afternoon fellowship Pleasant Sunday Afternoon discussion. The very first discussion - held on April 20 1890 - discussed the topic "Why don't Working Men go to Church?" 112 years later, that would still be a good discussion topic.

Given that there is this increasing recognition of the importance of social capital, I wonder whether we can now put some effort into providing a dollar value on the Mission's contribution to social capital.

There have been improvements in the techniques of functional costing in the economics and accounting professions. These techniques mean that an accurate figure can be put on particular events, such as the cost of keeping a person in prison.

Here, then, is a recommendation. Why can't the government accountants obtain a financial recognition of the $ value of the Mission's work in maintaining social capital. For example, what is the dollar value of the contribution that the Mission makes to holding a family together and so avoiding the costs of divorce? What is the dollar value of the Mission's work in finding a person a job, which then reduces the burden on Commonwealth funding, especially now that the person starts to pay taxes and may well have fewer health and other social costs?

Government accountants are very fond of reporting how much money the government provides for social welfare. Those accountants ought to recognize how organizations like the Mission actually reduce the need for government expenditure in healthcare and law and order.

Broadcast On Friday 26th July 2002 On Radio 2GB's "Brian Wilshire Programme" At 9pm And On 28th July 2002 On "Sunday Night Live" At 10.30pm