I came away with a set of reflections that felt both grounding and energising. There were many reality checks across the two days, but also a clear call to action and strong reminder not to lose sight of why we do this work. There was a strong recognition that despite being more connected than ever, many people are feeling increasingly isolated from one another and are removed from a shared sense of purpose. This fragmentation is showing up both within our movements and across our broader society. Ash Sarkar captured this challenge directly when she said, “we are (no longer) comrades but competitors” and “we have abandoned the idea that we have shared stakes and interests.” It was a powerful reminder that solidarity is not automatic. It needs to be rebuilt deliberately and over time. There was also a strong call not to retreat from social justice framing in uncertain times. Noura Mansour put this simply and clearly: we must all “resist apathy and indifference. All people deserve safety, dignity, equality, and freedom.” It was also meaningful to hear Naomi Klein speak. Her writing influenced my own journey into this sector many years ago and continues to shape how many of us think about systems change and collective action. Her reminder that “the planet is a player in our politics” felt especially relevant in the current moment and reinforces how deeply environmental, economic, and social justice challenges are now intertwined. Across the two days there were powerful examples of what becomes possible when communities organise together. Whether from Brazil or more recently New York, the message was consistent: change at scale is driven by people and communities working collectively toward shared goals. One insight that particularly stayed with me from a philanthropic perspective was Ricardo Borges Martins’ observation that “philanthropy needs to invest in communication and media as an end in itself.” If culture shapes politics, then supporting connection, storytelling and shared understanding is not peripheral work. It is central to social change. There was also a clear encouragement to remain steady when injustice appears. Professor Jackie Huggins reminded us to “be bold, courageous and don’t back down when we see injustice.” That call felt both timely and necessary. Taken together, these reflections feel like both a challenge and an invitation. The familiar playbook of division and blame is not new, but neither is the power of communities organising together around shared purpose. For those of us working in philanthropy, this feels like an important moment to continue backing the conditions that help people come together, strengthen their voices, and shape the future they want to see. As part of Greater Melbourne Foundation’s new direction and impact-led approach, we are beginning to fund these important collaborations and networks. This is the moment to stay close to our purpose and, where it matters most. Now is the time to double down. Kerry Farrance General Manager, Programs and Social Impact