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 - some of these will need a little interpretation on your part.

151 ideas to nurture belonging and citizenship
63. public gatherings
64. build sustainable communities...
65. allotments for growing own food
66. hope and joy
67. workshops
68. making events accessible
69. philosophy cafes
70. connect urban and rural communities
71. employ
72. benefit from others experiences and knowledge
73. street/block parties
74. exposing national issues through art and media
75. create new projects and invite others to participate
76. step out of your comfort zone
77. volunteer time
78. contribute in any way which is meaningful to you. (means shopping with someone else’s credit card

What contribution and gifts connect people?
63. genuine interest
64. openness
65. generosity
66. openness
67. dance
68. respect
69. shared vision
70. passion
71. understanding someone’s background
72. food sharing
73. kindness
74. humor
75. reciprocation
76. shared history
77. beauty
78. dreams