The more we spend time with people unlike ourselves, doing things together, the more understanding, tolerant, and even friendly we become.
And yet, increasingly, most of us spend less and less time with people who are different - as defined by age, race, or class, earning power or education.
The pandemic may have forced us apart, but it also reminded us of what we share and value. We witnessed the power of community, connection and common cause. And we saw clearly the urgent work that needs to be done to tackle the barriers that stand in the way of full, equal-status participation and flourishing for everyone in society.
Emerging from the crisis, we now have an unprecedented opportunity to bridge our divides and forge a new 'Common Life' - a set of shared practices and institutions - that can strengthen the glue that bonds our societies, in all their diversity.
For the health of our democracy, our society, and our economy, the time to act is now.
Related media
-
This is not an ESG article
Comment
Rebeca Minguela
ESG is a highly charged topic, raising complex social and political questions about its place in responding to the most profound problems we collectively face. Rebeca Minguela argues to make progress, we need to refocus the conversation.
-
Autistic girls need Child First support when in police care
Comment
Carly Jones
A succession of news stories of the appalling treatment of autistic girls by police is shocking but not surprising. Carly Jones, who grew up with undiagnosed autism, says that there are essential safeguarding measures that must be taken now
-
Inventing meaning and purpose: a politics award for our times
Blog
Ruth Hannan
Ruth Hannah is inspiring you to submit your creative and courageous political project to the Innovation in Politics Awards 2022.