Digital Era May Erode Trust and Social Capital: Experts
The third International Conference of St. Xavier’s College (ICSXC-2026) concluded on September 25 at St. Xavier’s College in Maitighar, Kathmandu.
The academic conference, dedicated to examining the transformative role of early-stage scholars in shaping the new digital era, included warnings from experts that the digital transformation, or DX, era could weaken trust and social capital.
The conference was centered on the theme “Reimagining the Global Future with Youth at the Crossroads of Change.”
Cultural Change in the Digital Era
Delivering a keynote speech during the plenary session, Prof. Jay Kishigami of Web Consortium Asia Pacific emphasized that cultural change was the most significant aspect of the transformation taking place in the digital era.
Speaking on the topic “Does Digital Society Make Us Happy?”, he said the impact of digital transformation was already evident.
His remarks addressed wider questions about how a rapidly changing digital society can affect trust, social relationships and the way people interact.
Mental Health as an Institutional Responsibility
Another keynote speaker, Gulnora Hundley of the University of Central Florida, highlighted that mental health is an institutional responsibility and cannot be separated from culture.
“Despite access to hundreds of resources online, youths are experiencing profound loneliness,” she said.
She further emphasized, “Resilience does not develop in isolation.”
More Than 300 Participants from Different Countries
More than 300 research students, scholars and academicians from the Philippines, Japan, India, Spain, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, Nepal and other countries participated in the conference.
The event brought together early-stage researchers and academics to discuss changes affecting young people and society in the digital era.
ICSXC-2026 was co-hosted by:
-
Ritsumeikan University, Japan
-
Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain
-
Web Consortium Asia Pacific
-
Women’s Christian College, India
ICSXC-2028 Announced
The conference is held every two years.
At the conclusion of the third edition, organizers announced the fourth International Conference of St. Xavier’s College, ICSXC-2028, for September 14–15, 2028.
Conference