Why this initiative
The roots of &intoconnection were planted 22 years ago when connector Salem Samhoud visited South Africa where he saw a huge billboard on the side of the road in Soweto. On the billboard there was a picture with all kinds of people, smiling and looking happy. Above their heads the words ‘Together we’ll build a brighter future’ were printed. A beautiful positive image. When he heard that underneath that same billboard 12 people were killed, Salem decided to put his energy in building that brighter future. On that day the idea of &intoconnection was born.
The billboard that struck Salem Samhoud
Through the years many activities were undertaken that lead to connection. Recently &intoconnection kicked off with larger projects.
In 2006 Vision21 was launched. Vision21 brought together 2,500 Dutch people to create a vision for The Netherlands. The Netherlands had been a guiding nation for centuries in terms of tolerance. Our country has lost that position for long. &intoconnection wants The Netherlands to reclaim this position and become the centre of the world when it comes to connecting people.
In 2007 &intoconnection started to inspire young Dutch people to take responsibility for their own future. Young people should connect with each other and be connected with the politics that are involved with their lives. That lead to the Youth Cabinet, an independent movement of young people that represents the voice of young Dutch people.
In 2008, the film ‘Into Connection’ was released. The film takes position in the climate of and increasing lack of tolerance and growing polarization. The message of the film is ‘Inspire to connect. Together we’ll build a brighter future.’
By the second half of 2008, &intoconnection created major scientific insights in the mechanisms and meaning of connection. The largest worldwide research on connection, about 10,000 people joined our research, led to the conclusion that connection carries a huge strength. The major outcome is that people who are more connected with themselves, with others, with their organisation and with society are much happier and more successful than people who are less connected. The research shows that, to build a brighter future, we really need each other. Hopefully, the result of the research will convince many people of the importance of connection. On the 21st of June 2009 we will communicate this knowledge to the world.
20 years of experiences and hard work in connecting people have now lead to a major breakthrough. With the help of scientific knowledge on connection and the proven force that connection can bring to the world, a new phase is about to begin. The next four years &intoconnection aims to become the world’s most important movement in inspiring people to connect.
