Getting Started

"Connecting the Dots" Series

If we were to summarize the past 50–60 years with a single word, a few of the terms that would likely come to mind are communication and connection. With the advancement of technology, objects and people are more interconnected than ever. At the same time, it feels as though we are experiencing an invasion of entirely new concepts. In such a context, looking back and examining the connections between concepts, phenomena, and people behind rapid changes can help us see the bigger picture from a different perspective. Perhaps identifying the right connections between these “dots” can guide us toward more meaningful outcomes amid this much-discussed trend of emerging concepts.

We encounter these worlds of objects and concepts in everyday life as well as in our professional sectors. The humanitarian and development “sector” seems no exception. We come across ideas such as localization, impact investing, humanitarian financing, innovative finance, and many others. Within this cluster of points, it may be time to spend more mental effort analyzing how these concepts interact, their similarities, complementarities, or distinctions.

This is precisely why I named my series “Connecting Dots.” My aim is to explore the connections between different concepts in a flowing, accessible style, while leaving space for readers who wish to think more deeply and investigate further. For example, I will examine how the concept of localization intersects with impact investing and innovative financing instruments. I will also explore how an organization working externally in partnerships can foster internal collaboration, and how this internal cohesion plays a role in its external interactions.

Through such questions, I hope to understand whether current trends are merely labels or if they truly create sustainable and transformative impact. Drawing on my experience in both humanitarian work and the private sector, I will explore the intersections of humanitarian diplomacy and marketing.

Thus, “Connecting Dots” is not just a title—it is also a methodological proposal: to see the bigger picture, we must draw the invisible lines between points that may at first appear disconnected. I hope this journey proves both thought-provoking and enlightening for my readers.