The ALANA Manifesto

Every community needs to form a collective understanding of what they stand for. In today's world, we hear more often what others or ourselves feel strong emotions against. In ALANA we have been committed since day one to stand for the things we value. In our specific case, those values have been captured in our free membership NFT or better known as ALANA's "10 Principles of a Good Community." When discussing with Dani, a fellow DAO member, how to best capture our values, the first thought that popped into my head was Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design.

Within the next few weeks, we will walk you through the ALANA Manifesto number by number. Digitalmonkey, Nucleus Guardian of ALANA AI, made me realize that these times call for a clear stance even though ALANA is a non-political project. We invite you to follow along with this series and get to know us, maybe in more depth than ever before!

A Good Community is Diverse & Inclusive

Diversity is not just a value to us—it's a proven driver of community strength, innovation, and resilience. The evidence is clear, across research institutions, consulting groups, and real-world case studies: communities that embrace diversity consistently outperform those that do not, both in social cohesion and in their ability to solve complex problems. And the future looks quite complex to me.

What Makes Diversity So Powerful

When a community brings together people from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, it gains access to a much wider range of perspectives. This diversity of thought leads to more creative solutions and better decision-making, as it challenges groupthink and encourages critical analysis.
Diverse communities are more innovative. Exposure to different viewpoints and life experiences sparks new ideas and approaches, driving progress and adaptability in a rapidly changing world.
Inclusive and diverse communities are better equipped to handle social, economic, and environmental challenges. They can draw on a broader set of skills, knowledge, and resources, making them more adaptable and resilient in the face of adversity.
Diversity fosters mutual respect, understanding, and a sense of belonging. When people see their identities and experiences reflected and valued in their community, they are likelier to engage and support one another, increasing well-being.
Research shows that organizations with diverse leadership are significantly more likely to outperform financially and positively impact their communities and workforces.

What the Research Says

If you don't believe us, believe in well-known consulting groups and institutions that have done their research. According to McKinsey, companies in the top quartile for gender and ethnic diversity are up to 27% more likely to outperform financially. The World Economic Forum knows from its own organization that diversity leads to greater creativity and resilience, enabling organizations and communities to find unconventional solutions and adapt to new challenges. Research from Stanford and similar institutions demonstrates that exposure to diversity increases cultural awareness, reduces prejudice, and enhances civic responsibility and community engagement.

Why It Matters

Diversity is not about token representation or checking boxes for us at ALANA. It is about intentionally creating a space where all voices are heard, valued, and empowered to contribute. This intentionality transforms communities such as ours from collections of individuals into innovative, supportive, and resilient networks that can tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow.

"The key to community is the acceptance, in fact the celebration of our individual and cultural differences. It is also the key to world peace.”
— M. Scott Peck

Get Your ALANA Manifesto

The ALANA 10 Principles of a Good Community NFT is powered by Unlock Protocol and available as a free mint (wallet and email option) directly from the Optimism Blockchain. If you agree with these principles, show us and get your Manifesto here: