30 Oct 2024
Belonging is a place where everyone’s differences can be valued and where everyone feels a commitment to shared responsibility.
When I moved to the UK as a grad student, navigating the landscape of a new culture, I found belonging in libraries — spaces where access felt like a human right, not a privilege — universal and equitable.
During my time at the Open Data Institute, I organised a roundtable on improving data access across regulated sectors. Working with Olivier and Josh, we brought together technology leaders from banking, insurance, accountancy, law, and government. What emerged vividly was the profound trust participants placed in intermediaries. Leaders shared an openness grounded in respect for the integrity and neutrality of these trusted bridges. Intermediaries facilitated genuine exchanges without the weight of competition or guarded interests, enabling secure and valuable information flows that supported a more open, trustworthy, and sustainable data ecosystem.
Seeing competitors unite around shared values highlights that intermediaries are more than mere connectors; they are custodians of continuity, fostering collaboration across complex systems. Like roots in a forest, intermediaries support the flow of knowledge and resources, making systems more connected and resilient.
Reflecting on the future of digital transformation, my journey — from working on data trusts to feeling a sense of belonging — has drawn me towards foundational principles of radical acceptance and universality. Intermediaries have a crucial role in nurturing and sustaining inclusive spaces where everyone belongs.
As we shape the discussions on the future of digital public service, perhaps the most meaningful answers lie in the questions we’re encouraged to ask: