building connected The Future of Collaboration, Engagement and Innovation
The new normal of our (ever more digital) world has lent profound meaning to the term “connected.” Be it people, institutions or whole of humanity, there has never been a bigger need for networks, communication and collaboration. And as technology progresses, so too do the methods by which we construct, cultivate, and fortify these connections—creating new potential pathways for an increasingly cohesive community.building connected
Connected communities are not simply based on technology used to connect them: they are built around an ecosystem where individuals can communicate, spread ideas, find ways to work together (in meaningful ways), help each other and mutually evolve. This means creating systems and frameworks that enable effective and sustainable ways for individuals and organisations to participate, share, and contribute. But how can we create such communities? And why does it matter?building connected
Building connected: Why it Matters
With connected communities, business shifts, education is revamped, healthcare improves and social movements prosper. Ultimately, this is about collaboration and shared value creation at the community level. A connected community has a plethora of knowledge, resources, and support enabling innovation, productivity, and improving the quality of life alike.
enabled : The community of a connected place is one which binds professionals with different backgrounds and skills together to work on difficult problems. In these types of communities, information travels fast and collaboration is an engine of innovation. Be it in the form of tech startups, scientific research or community-led initiatives, leveraging broader perspectives creates new ideas and solutions that would be impossible in isolation.
Connected communities, for instance, will be pivotal in overcoming global health challenges such as pandemics or climate change. Through have come together across
Connecting neighbours also acts as a very valuable social support network. As loneliness and mental ill health increase throughout the world, so too does a need for us to stitch together networks of care and support. Technology can help to foster such connections. Accessibility of online forums and virtual support groupsSee also: 6 Signs You Could Benefit From Professional Therapy, Because It’s ‘Not Just in Your Head’Social media, really.
Virtual communities, for instance, broke down those barriers during the COVID-19 pandemic and became lifelines to those feeling isolated from their social circles. Platforms for mental health on the internet, remote peer help groups and community-based site where individuals could exchange their experiences, give recommendations and consolation to 1 one other facilitated that course of. The same technology that can lead to social disconnection can also help create strong networks of solidarity, providing people with a community and where to ask for support.
Investing in Civic Engagement and Social Movements Connected communities are more than just the basis for personal relationship and innovation; they can provide a foundation for action. Social movements have found their wings in the digital age, with social media and online platforms enabling people in which to spread awareness, galvanize resources and effect policy changes.
One of the greatest instances where connected communities changed politics and governance, is the Arab Spring. Using social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, activists orchestrated protests, shared information with each other, and spread news to the outside world. In the same way, online movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have used digital technologies to give people who often remain unheard for example women more power and ignite massive social change. The people organized in a way that was impossible just one generation ago, and such unassigned/grass-roots movements can lead to change, as these examples show.
Part 4: Technology as a Tool to Connect Communities
Linked communities are dependent on human relationships and shared values, while technology is the key to this enablement.
Communicating through Digital Platforms Digital platforms will reshape the way we communicate, share information and collaborate. Individuals and organizations can use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to network, share ideas or have conversations. We use these platforms to galvanize communities for specific causes, to organize events and global networks of change. Also, face-to-face communication has been possible by video conference software like Zoom, Skype and Google Meet from anywhere in the world. Such has been particularly beneficial for businesses, schools and families who are required to stay in touch from a crisis or distance between cities.
Tools for Collaboration at Work and LearningTechnology has also facilitated Collaborative workspaces that promotes productivity as a team. Other platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Asana enable teams to collaborate effortlessly by sharing files, managing projects, and communicating in real-time. At the education level tools such as Google Classroom and Edmodo offer students a platform to engage with each other and theirteachers, work on assignments collaboratively, and create a sense of community amongst peers even within virtual classrooms.
These tools do not only allow communication, they also offer a platform to build a more productive and collaborative space. Technology, with cloud computing, shared documents and updates in virtual real-time, has removed barriers to collaboration that previously were a profound part of organizational life.
Crowdsourcing Open-Source Initiatives Open-source platforms are another way that technology can help create communities of people connected to a common cause. Open-source software development encourages collaboration among developers to share and add to larger projects that benefit the community as a whole. GitHub and other similar platforms have become a focal point for open-source development, where people can collaborate on projects report bugs, and create software in an easy manner.
And community crowdsourcing is on the verge of revolutionizing how communities band together to solve problems. The crowdfunded stuff, that was Kickstarter, GoFundMe, an etc.
