As part of the Ditchley Autumn programme, we have been reviewing core ideas that emerged in the initial stages of the pandemic response. Solitude, aloneness, loneliness and experiences of families were all part of our April sessions with each informing our understanding of human connection.
In this session a Transatlantic group reviewed these themes and the following points were made:
- Less time to think. Many of us have been busier than ever, but there has been less time spent brainstorming and in open conversation.
- Leadership and vision from civil society. In the pandemic so far there has been a yearning for some sorts of change but there has not been much vision or discussion about what kind of society we want to have.
- Willpower for big ideas and service. We need to ask whether people have the willpower at the moment for big ideas; it might be that inspiration comes in bursts.
- Lack of family safety nets. We are getting deeper into a social crisis for which the safety net of extended family – literal and metaphorical – is missing
- A search for deeper forms of connection. We are entering what was referred to as an ‘unending grey zone’ one of fatigue in part because there is no end in sight.
- Different level of connection. We may be entering a period then where connection at different levels is also necessary, with variation between small and large forms of connection.
A more in depth summary can be found here