{"id":3143,"date":"2021-03-22T16:02:01","date_gmt":"2021-03-22T14:02:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.connect2us.eu\/operational-plan\/"},"modified":"2026-06-05T10:40:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-05T08:40:31","slug":"operational-plan","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/operational-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"2026-2030 project plan"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside’ Amanda Gorman<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n\n

We work, live and eat with people from all over the world – and we find that exciting and inspiring, as long as things go as we expect. When someone communicates differently than we are used to, we don’t always realize that there may be a cultural misunderstanding. Connect2Us helps prevent those misunderstandings and, if they do arise, make them negotiable. <\/p>\n\n

This project plan describes the vision and approach of the Connect2Us Foundation for the period 2026-2030. It provides the framework for programming, funding and operations. Founded in 2016, Connect2Us Foundation is a non-profit foundation with ANBI status. <\/p>\n\n

Vision<\/h3>\n\n

When communicating between people from different cultural backgrounds, cultural differences can play a disruptive role. Misperceptions create prejudices, leaving people out of the loop. Connect2Us wants to contribute to understanding and critical thinking, and prevent or eliminate prejudice – so we can see how much we actually have in common. We share more words with each other than ever before. But how many people are really listening to each other? Not only are we distracted by technology, but we see leaders everywhere doing everything but listening to each other. Stories break that pattern. They invite conversation, awaken empathy and make cultural differences tangible – without judgment. <\/p>\n\n

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From story to connection – that’s what we stand for<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

Mission<\/h3>\n\n

We strive for a diverse society where freedom and tolerance are central and prejudices about origin have been eliminated. A society with more cohesion – built on understanding, not uniformity. <\/p>\n\n

Core values<\/h3>\n\n

Connect2Us’ four core values support our goals and, along with our programs, create the framework for our work.<\/p>\n\n

Connecting<\/h5>\n\n

Connect2Us’ activities focus on connection – connection without borders. We encourage cohesion between people, organizations and society. <\/p>\n\n

Open<\/h5>\n\n

Connect2Us is open to everyone, regardless of belief, religion, political affiliation, ancestry, age, color, gender or sexual orientation.<\/p>\n\n

Mutual respect<\/h5>\n\n

Connect2Us is based on mutual respect for each person’s worldview and customs. Understanding begins with listening. <\/p>\n\n

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).<\/h5>\n\n

Connect2Us supports SDGs 4 (quality education), 10 (reduce inequality), 16 (peaceful societies) and 17 (partnership). Within SDG 10, everyone should have equal opportunities and be involved in all social, economic and political aspects of society. <\/p>\n\n

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Objectives<\/h3>\n\n

Migration is an ancient phenomenon that has always contributed to the development of our civilization. During integration, migrants often encounter situations where cultural differences come to the fore – pleasant, but sometimes uncomfortable or bewildering. <\/p>\n\n

To promote peaceful acceptance and integration and counter undermining polarization, Connect2Us makes cultural differences accessible and understandable. For Dutch people without and with a migration background, newcomers, education, business, parents and children. For all. <\/p>\n\n

Connect2Us has the following goals for the coming years:<\/p>\n\n

    \n
  • Reaching the widest possible audience through the storytelling stage – online and live.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Making workplace intercultural communication accessible through stories, workshops and publications.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Engaging school-age children in dialogue about cultural differences through play and citizenship education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Educate certain professions in the social and business sectors through webinars and meetings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Broadly open up the knowledge base of the Hofstede model to education and society.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

    Target groups<\/h3>\n\n

    The platform basically targets all residents of the countries represented on the website, and in doing so, we specifically focus on the following target groups:<\/p>\n\n

      \n
    • (young) schoolchildren<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • teachers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • expat families and newcomers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • students<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • healthcare workers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n
      \"\"<\/figure>\n\n

      Expertise<\/h3>\n\n

      Since its inception in 2016, the foundation has grown into a collection of intercultural communication experts, psychologists and educators; a team of more than 25 volunteers.<\/p>\n\n

      In addition to the multicultural composition of the team and the life experience of those involved, there is high-quality expertise in the field of culture within the Foundation. The founders and several volunteers are associated with the recently deceased scientist Geert Hofstede, who validated the stories on our platform and our approach to them. Geert Hofstede has conducted world-renowned research on the differences between national cultures in how individuals and organizations, view each other and “others. His research is undoubtedly invaluable. First, because of the overwhelming amount of data covering pretty much the entire world and, second, because the dimensions in his research allow for relevant comparison between national cultures. At Connect2Us, we translate those differences into everyday life. Understanding and acceptance of those differences make one realize what we all have in common. <\/p>\n\n

      The model<\/h5>\n\n

      The (Hofstede) model we use consists of six dimension that are briefly described here:<\/p>\n\n

        \n
      • Power distance – The degree to which people accept that another person has more power than themselves.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Individualism – The degree to which a society is “I” or “We” oriented.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Masculinity – The degree to which a society shows solidarity with others or rather assumes “he who does his best wins.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Uncertainty avoidance – The degree to which society needs regulations, formal procedures and rituals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Long-term or short-term thinking – The difference between (Eastern) persistence in the development and application of innovations posed versus (Western) drive for truth and immediate results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Permissive vs. restraint – Permissiveness represents a society that leaves relatively free the satisfaction of basic and natural human value related to enjoying life and having fun. Restraint represents a society that suppresses the satisfaction of needs and regulates them through strict social norms. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

        The Foundation wants to unlock this knowledge for education and society at large.<\/p>\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n\n

        Programs<\/h2>\n\n

        The story stage – core of our approach<\/h5>\n\n

        The basis of our approach is storytelling. Stories are connective: they increase engagement, generate empathy and invite conversation. As Harari describes in Sapiens: sharing stories is one of the main reasons humanity has been able to evolve. <\/p>\n\n

        Connect2Us provides the stories on the platform with observation and commentary – not judgment, but an invitation to look further. In the coming years, the Foundation will significantly expand the storytelling platform with a new series of stories about intercultural communication in and around the workplace. In total, more than 58 new business stories will be developed, in Dutch and English, accessible to a wide audience. <\/p>\n\n

        Stories that invite conversation about culture – that is our core.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

        Intercultural communication in the workplace<\/h5>\n\n

        A new strategic focus for 2026-2030 is the business domain. Cultural differences play a major role in the workplace: in meetings, in negotiations, in everyday interactions between colleagues. Connect2Us is developing a comprehensive series of stories, workshops and publications that make these topics accessible to professionals. <\/p>\n\n

        The stories cover recognizable situations: the silent meeting, the unanswered e-mail, the manager who is unclear, the colleague who just walks in the door. Sharing stories – at the lunch table, in a workshop or through the platform – creates space for conversation and understanding. <\/p>\n\n

        This program closely follows the publications of chairman Jan Vincent Meertens and co-author Divya Susan Varkey, whose work provides the scholarly basis for the stories and workshops.<\/p>\n\n

        Empathy Land – completed and available<\/h5>\n\n

        Empathy Land, the board game specifically designed to train players in intercultural skills, has been successfully developed and available. The game has been tested in several elementary schools and yielded positive results: students spontaneously engaged in conversation about their home situations and cultural differences in a way that was not possible without the game. <\/p>\n\n

        Empathy Land is part of Connect2Us’ broader educational package and is offered to schools as part of citizenship education. The price is about \u20ac40 per game; five copies are recommended for a class (\u20ac200 total). <\/p>\n\n

        School project – citizenship education<\/h5>\n\n

        In the school project, the core objective is to make children ages 10 to 13 familiar and comfortable with cultural differences through citizenship education. Schools thereby develop students’ social-emotional and intercultural skills: critical thinking, respectful conversation and standing up for one’s own opinions. <\/p>\n\n

        Connect2Us offers workshops for teachers to strengthen their intercultural knowledge and skills, based on an accessible framework borrowed from the Hofstede model.<\/p>\n\n

        Organization<\/h2>\n\n

        Advisory Board<\/h3>\n\n
          \n
        • Prof. Dr. Gert Jan Hofstede <\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Prof. Dr. Sjoerd Beugelsdijk <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

          Board<\/h3>\n\n

          The board of the foundation is composed as follows:<\/p>\n\n

            \n
          • Jan Vincent Meertens – initiator, chairman. Writer, lecturer in intercultural management. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Divya Susan Varkey – board member and co-manager. Writer, cross-cultural communication expert. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

            The board members and volunteers receive no remuneration. No loans have been made to them either. <\/p>\n\n

            Governance and operations<\/h3>\n\n

            Connect2Us operates according to the Code of Conduct of Charities Netherlands and has ANBI status (granted in March 2017). The Foundation adheres to the SBF Code of Good Governance, the Regulation on Remuneration of Directors of Charities and the Guidelines on Financial Management. <\/p>\n\n

            The Foundation is committed to the Diversity and Inclusion Code (CDI). The four Ps – Personnel, Public, Program and Partners – are closely monitored in the design and execution of the organization. <\/p>\n\n

            Charities are accountable to donors and society. Connect2Us uses a system of self-regulation and transparency for this, in accordance with the Recognition Scheme for Charities. <\/p>\n\n

            \"\"Marketing and publicity<\/h2>\n\n

            Social media and online outreach<\/h5>\n\n

            To drive visitors to the platform, Connect2Us uses a social media strategy supported by Google Grants. Connect2Us is active on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and – to a limited extent – X (formerly Twitter). <\/p>\n\n

            The focus of the social media deployment is on sharing stories that invite conversation: short, relatable and personal. Additionally, teaser texts are deployed for each story to increase the click rate on the platform. <\/p>\n\n

            Connect2Us is a charity accepted by Google Grants. Through Google Ads, the Foundation can use up to $10,000 in monthly click budget to increase online reach. <\/p>\n\n

            Publications<\/h5>\n\n

            Chairman Jan Vincent Meertens’ publications – including Do We Have a Deal? and the Dutch-language Begrijpen we elkaar? (co-author: Divya Susan Varkey) – increase Connect2Us’ name recognition and provide content for workshops and the platform. <\/p>\n\n

            A new publication on intercultural communication in the workplace is in preparation and will contribute to both brand awareness and fundraising for the Foundation.<\/p>\n\n

            Newsletter and community<\/h5>\n\n

            In 2026, Connect2Us will launch a newsletter that allows subscribers to receive new stories, insights and events on a regular basis. This will increase engagement among visitors who do not yet donate but want to stay connected to the mission. <\/p>\n\n

            <\/p>\n\n

            \n
            understanding of each other, learning to think critically and thereby guarding against unfounded opinions on and in the (social) media<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n

            Finance<\/h3>\n\n

            Connect2Us’ financial policies are established based on the funding raised. The Foundation actively focuses on fundraising through crowdfunding, grants and contributions from businesses and individuals. <\/p>\n\n

            Sources of income are:<\/p>\n\n

              \n
            • Donations from individuals and corporations<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Proceeds from the sale of Empathy Land and other game materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Contributions from funds and grant makers<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Google Grants (click budget for online marketing)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Contributions from our own ranks for ongoing external costs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n

              In recent years the Foundation has received funding from the Far Mountains Foundation (website), the EU (Luxembourg department) and a private foundation (first phase game development). Individual project and organizational budgets are available upon request. <\/p>\n\n

              \"\"<\/figure>\n\n

              Updated June 2026<\/p>\n\n

              <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside’ Amanda Gorman Introduction We work, live and eat with people from all over the world – and we find that exciting and inspiring, as long as things go as we expect. When someone communicates differently than […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_vp_format_video_url":"","_vp_image_focal_point":[],"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3143","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"blocksy_meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3143","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3143"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3143\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5195,"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3143\/revisions\/5195"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/connect2us.eu\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3143"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}