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MANIFESTO OF BELONGING


 
We proclaim to create spaces where people can be their fullest self.

Spaces where we belong are spaces where we co-create future lifeworlds, worlds where we all thrive.

We build spaces where there is room for all people.

Spaces where there is room for the planet.

We build spaces of abundance. The house where we want to live. 


We can take away the barriers and empower people by centering belonging in the spaces we inhabit. We create belonging.


Ritual


A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community we create rituals through.

The traditions a collective forms that give meaning and reasons to connect. These are done at set times and days, giving structure and form to community life.

 Activations
Tradition
Celebrations

Space


Spaces are the dimensions of height, depth, and width within which all things exist and move.

Space is where you exist with others. Places of exchange and shared being.


Economic
Physical
Digital
Familiar




Purpose


The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists, to have as one’s personally or collective intentions and objective.


What moves us or creates intention. The reason why something exists.

Change 
Value

Dialogue


Dialogue is a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people, manifested in many literary and theatrical forms that depicts such an exchange.

The ways and means of connection, tangible and intangible. It can be as simple as how we speak or as complex as the narrative we weave together.

Symbols
Signs
Story
Mythology
















Ritual:


A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, actions, or objects, performed according to a set sequence. Rituals may be prescribed by the traditions of a community we create rituals through–
Stories
Mythology
Festival
Celebration






































































Celebrate the beauty of culture



Prioritizing cultural beauty, artwork, and design brings visual futures to new and diverse audience.




Prioritize storyhearing over storytelling



A community where everyone is heard and valued starts and ends with curiosity. Ask questions and show empathy. Only by listening with intention can we identify the root of the problem, fill the right gaps, and assess the needs to be addressed.



Embrace the Binaries


Include lifeworlds and perspectives of stakeholders in which we vehemently disagree. That which feels explicitly antagonist as well as their deep structural and historical origins help strengthen our work by making it resilient, historical, substantive and persuasive

Embrace the deep narratives and myths juxtaposed.

Space:


Spaces are the dimensions of height, depth, and width
within which all things exist and move

Framework
Research
Identity
















































Physical space amplifies


Location-based belonging and gathering fosters the optimal mode of community building. By combining the forces of proximity-, identity-, and interest-based belonging, we can create the community of tomorrow - the ultimate cross-cultural network.



Community Capitalism–
If you can’t beat them, make them better


Capitalism has destroyed the sense of collaboration and supporting one another. We must reimagine our economic and social system by transitioning into a community capitalist model where we circulate social capital and value the social currency that local organizations offer.

Purpose:


The reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists, to have as one’s personally or collective intentions and objective

Actionable change
Research
Frameworks































































































Start from the bottom to affect systemic change


Our co-creation framework fosters belonging at a systemic level. Building a future proofed community necessitates a committed and focused group of community individuals. One-off projects and temporary solutions are a waste of time and resources - prioritize enduring changes and effects.



Harness the Power & Own the Freedom of Your Journey


A true sense of belonging will take you through a journey - from representing your culture to actively participating in it to and the ultimate unlock: co-creating and driving it forward.




Drive DEI Forward with Inter-Cultural Solidarity


Diversity is our future– whether the world is ready or not. Not simply multi-cultural spaces, but cultural solidarity and cross cultural exchange are key as we identify our mutual interests and shared visions to unite our local communities.

Dialogue


Dialogue is a written or spoken conversational exchange between two or more people, manifested in many literary and theatrical forms that depicts such an exchange.


The ways and means of connection, tangible and intangible. It can be as simple as how we speak or as complex as the narrative we weave together.

Symbols
Signs
Story
Mythology














































































Proactive Radical Inclusivity


Designing the best version of your community requires intentionally creating, behaving, and moving with purpose, always. To build the necessary racial, social, and economic equity our society demands, we must support others and in turn feel supported to help shape your collective identity.



Embrace what is uncomfortable


A strong community with a healthy sense of belonging creates 3rd places and community spaces for people to gather, face realities and painful experiences, and ask questions about how to heal and progress together. Be okay feeling uncomfortable. What is most important often costs what is most difficult. The most important conversations are often the hardest ones to have.





The In Common™ Manifesto and all related material is the product of the capstone project for the MS Strategic Design and Management program at Parsons School of Design.

Authored by Annyelica Diaz, Kelly Ernst, John Jaimes and Kelly Lukes under the guidance of Assistant Professor Christian Schneider.

© 2022