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 put forward 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.

151 ideas to nurture belonging and citizenship
16. teaching the teachers...
17. molding people in the right direction
18. not unteaching the children
19. seeing gifts
20. sharing stories
21. creating moments for intimacy
22. love
23. street theater
24. community gardens
25. introductions
26. valued roles
27. murarte
28. celebrate
29. advertising
30. associations partnerships

What contribution and gifts connect people?
16. humour
17. compassion
18. willingness
19. empathy
20. openness
21. truth
22. love
23. stories
24. authenticity
25. eye contact
26. casual immediacy
27. conversation
28. something in common
29. welcoming
30. co-operation