Commission of trust

[RevShirls]

I am right in the middle of proofreading a Swedish political document (translated into English). I am having a problem with one phrase. It concerns a Swedish word: f�rtroendeuppdrag which is translated in most Swedish-English dictionaries as "commission of trust". This is a rather archaic expression in English used to describe a person who was appointed/elected to a position of trust (ie one who is trustworthy for the position). The document I am working on is a modern political one and basically I need a good phrase to replace "commission of trust" in the following: "One of the governments objectives is to increase the number of citizens who have a political commission (appointment) of trust".

My thinking cap isn't working today. I've been stuck on this one phrase for long enough. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Shipstabber]

Mandate?

[woofgang]

I'm beating my brains too. Are they talking about actual appointments, like scrutiny and oversight groups or lay members on the boards of public bodies; or are they talking about individual citizens feeling some kind of community obligation?

[RevShirls]

Thanks for the responses so far. I have been thinking about the word "mandate" since shipstabber mentioned it. I'm not sure that this will work. Basically, this term "f�rtroendeuppdrag" is common in Sweden and it refers to anyone who is in a position of trust (deemed to be trustworthy and reliable). It is used in various fields of community, church, politics etc. In the context that I need it for, these citizens are democratically elected particularly in the local community to serve on various political boards and committees. I have suggested to the Political Scientist, whose document that I am proofreading, that we change it to  "political positions of trust" - just until I come up with something better.

The Swedish Ministry of Justice has the same phrase in an English translation of one of its fact sheets. You can see it on the first page of the following document (under the section : Democracy: Goals for Democracy Policy) on the following webpage:

http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/01/62/52/a766d1c9.pdf

Incidentally, you probably noticed that I missed an apostrophe in "government's" in my original posting. Tut! Tut!  - some proofreader I am :)

[Hgrove]

citizens entrusted with a political mandate?  citizens in whom political trust (political mandate) is vested?

[woofgang]

Here's another thought

How about

"One of the government's objectives is to increase the number of appointments made to citizens whose probity is without question"

If they are saying that they want to ensure that the people who are put into positions of trust are trustworthy

[Hgrove]

My post crossed with yours.  Although I opened the link you provided, it has "frozen" and I can't read the passage with the sentence.  Would it be something like "citizens entrusted with responsibility for local government"?

[Hgrove]

I like Woofgang's suggestion!

[woofgang]

its certainly a good way to pass the time on a miserable (weather) afternoon

[RevShirls]

Wow! Just looked away from the computer for a wee while and couldn't believe all the responses when I looked back. Wonderful! My husband has just come home and I have been discussing this with him. He says that the trust part of it goes with the actual appointment rather than with the person (these "commissions of trust" are only given to trustworthy people"). People often list on CVs the various "commissions of trust" that they have held. Various lay commissions of trust include the role of chairpersons, treasurers, secretaries of sports clubs, community clubs etc. (what I would call "positions of responsibility"). Thankfully, I have managed to proofread the rest of the document but I'll have to give this a wee bit more thought and read over everyone's suggestions (once I've fed my wee rascal of a daughter and bathed her). Greetings to you all and many thanks from the North Pole. Incidentally, I have never managed to find out what Hurdy Gurdy (Swedish Chef from the Muppets) actually means. I haven't been asked to proofread his song yet ;)

[Marsh]

Would "trusteeship" fit?

[bernardo]

I think "position of trust" is adequate.

[woofgang]

Here's another few suggestions.

How about "positions of local responsibility" if the intention is to produce a document that is understandable to English speakers. If you want a comparable concept, then you might translate a bit more freely and say "one of the govenment's objectives is to increase the number of citizens who (i) have responsibilities in the local political structure or (ii) have responsibilities in community organisations.

[RevShirls]

Sorry I haven't responded again till now. I was busy with my other job (the rev one) yesterday. I have given everyone 3 stars as I am so impressed with the level of discussion here, the helpfulness, and the way in which you have all really helped me to get my head round this. Nowadays I speak Swedish most of the time (apart from with my wee girl) and I struggle to remember certain phrases and concepts in English so this wee discussion has been great for me. I have decided to go with "have been elected to positions of responsibility/ local responsibility" as "trust" and "responsibility"mean much the same in this context - and "responsibility" conveys more of the sense to the English-speaking reader. Once again, many thanks to all. Incidentally, how much does my client owe you for consultancy fees? Payment is in kronor :)

[woofgang]

take my share and buy your littlie a treat!!