#Connect is a movement founded by Andrew Cliff Divine and Manuel Victor Frederick in order to create a new gesture, a new way to unite and overcome our differences in culture, gender, religious beliefs, skin color, political and sexual orientation, physical appearance and ability, social status, age and educational background.

Being literally “in touch” with one another is something that we have come to take for granted in an era of social media and constant global digital connection with no physical contact. The worldwide pandemic created more fear in regards to the human touch but also reminded us of how we need it at our core.

The increasing loss of personal touch and in-person human connectivity is a source of chaos and fear that we need to overcome in order to cohabitate peacefully with one another in our globalized societies so that we diminish violence and division and inspire more creation of togetherness and peace, now.

At the core of the movement is a simple hand gesture that connects us, palm to palm, physically and emotionally in a mirroring connection to develop more empathy for one another while voicing the sound “Mm-Hmm!” on the same sound frequency as an agreement to be connected as one. Beyond overcoming the barrier of languages and the positive depth behind the gesture, it is a unique, uncommon experience leading to unforgettable moments along with some smiles and laughter, especially among strangers. 

One of the end goals of the movement is to make this gesture a worldwide and universal gesture to promote its philosophy of human connectivity for peace and togetherness and above all to build a more united humanity, right now!