Since the publication of Robert Putnam's work on social capital in 1995, there has been growing national and international interest in the concept. Social capital is defined as the social networks that, together with shared norms, values and understandings, facilitate collective action and co-operation within and among groups. Social capital can take many forms, having regular social contact with other people, trusting other people, feelings of mutual obligation, a willingness to reciprocate, engagement in your community, volunteering, a shared sense that you can effect change in your community, participating in the political life of your community, having trust in institutions.