1 files changed, 17 insertions, 4 deletions

diff --git a/pages/gnu/social-contract-endorsement.txt b/pages/gnu/social-contract-endorsement.txt
index 0cad835..6b9a47b 100644
--- a/pages/gnu/social-contract-endorsement.txt
+++ b/pages/gnu/social-contract-endorsement.txt
@@ -3,10 +3,9 @@
 # GNU Social Contract Endorsement
 ---
 
-This page collects endorsements and rejections of [version 1.0 of the
-GNU Social Contract](gnu:social-contract) by GNU maintainers.  The
-endorsement period *will end on February 24th, 2020*—see the timeline
-below.
+This page collects endorsements of [version 1.0 of the GNU Social
+Contract](gnu:social-contract) by GNU maintainers.  The endorsement
+period *will end on February 24th, 2020*—see the timeline below.
 
 # Endorsements
 
@@ -35,4 +34,18 @@ The following maintainers endorse the GNU Social Contract, version 1.0:
   - *February 11th, 2020*.  This page is created.
   - *February 24th, 2020*.  End of endorsement period.
 
+# Background
+
+The goal of the GNU Social Contract is to state the core values GNU
+maintainers who have endorsed it are committed to uphold.  It is both
+an agreement among us, GNU contributors, and a pledge to the broader
+free software community.
+
+Additionally, we think it can be a first step towards formalizing a
+transparent and collective governance of the GNU Project.
+
+This initiative is not supported by Richard Stallman.  Nevertheless,
+we consider it a legitimate action by and for GNU maintainers to
+collectively define the core values we believe GNU stands for.
+
 </markdown>