Plan Institute hosts a week-long leadership training retreat each year and invites leaders from around the world to attend. Each of these leaders is interested in applying the model of social networks to address the aspiration of a good life for people whom are vulnerable to isolation and loneliness. This year the Institute invited The Belonging Initiative to host a dialogue with the leaders to explore contribution, citizenship and belonging.

The conversation was rich and many ideas were proposed to encourage our society forward in this work. We tried to harvest some of this inspiration collecting 151 Ideas to Nurture Belonging and 90 Contributions and Gifts that connect people together.

This is first of a series of posts sharing that list with you:

151 ideas to nurture belonging and citizenship
1. smiling
2. a good start
3. holding hands
4. giving time to other people...
5. not letting anyone to walk alone
6. embracing the community
7. food
8. fun
9. community projects
10. helping people see their gifts and share their spirituality
11. donating space where people can do as they wish
12. non segregated education
13. oath of allegiance everywhere daily
14. mantra
15. wishing and hoping

What contribution and gifts connect people?
1. Forms of expression
2. Music
3. the desire to contribute to an effort
4. art
5. film
6. dance
7. art
8. spontaneity
9. listening
10. presence
11. conversation
12. attention
13. direct
14. honesty
15. visions