"Coming home".

As someone of Armenian descent, the term "diaspora" has been woven into the fabric of my existence since childhood. We were affectionately known as the "Armenians from Lebanon." From the day I drew my first breath, my father, a seasoned expatriate of a Japanese multinational - Komatsu - in Algeria, shaped my upbringing in a fascinating tapestry of cultures. While attending a French school, it became second nature to revel in a mosaic of traditions – from celebrating Eid and Armenian Christmas to crafting spectacles for the French "Francophonie" and harmonising in Japanese karaoke sessions with my father's colleagues.

Diversity wasn't just a concept; it was my norm. In a class of 25 students, we embraced the richness of 22 different nationalities. At the age of 12, geopolitical circumstances prompted our relocation to Brussels, immersing me in yet another cultural transition.

Post my academic journey, I embarked on a professional odyssey with Generali Employee Benefits - GEB , delving into collaborations with multiple countries. My work took me to be also based in the United States and Hong Kong, engaging daily with dozens of countries and cultures - it was my new norm.

Skipping forward to 2021, during the second lockdown in London, I landed in Dubai initially for 2 weeks of remote working and decided 5 months later, unequivocally, to call it home. In Dubai, the feeling of being back in school permeated my days, surrounded by more than 200 nationalities, where 98% of the population hailed from diverse corners of the world.

Over an enlightening conversation with Dr. Martin Russell , an esteemed expert and researcher in diaspora, I discovered that there are over 281 million individuals globally who share the experience of being born, studying, or working somewhere else.

"Those numbers also underestimate the true depth of reach of diaspora communities. That is what makes diaspora so special in that it works through and beyond migration. I like to think of it this way, migration and diaspora are like first cousins - related but different! Diaspora becomes a much bigger potential for positive impact around the globe when you think about how belonging is becoming multiple and hybrid in the networked age. That is not just rooted to countries also with cities, regions, and all different types of organisations active in building belonging. With tools like?UBQT, diasporas now have the technological support to be 'here and there' instantaneously and intentionally which allow them to engage back home or engage where they feel they belong on their terms and in real life”.

A pivotal moment arose when I engaged in a profound discussion with Robin Dunbar , the eminent biological anthropologist Professor of Evolutionary Psychology in the department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Oxford. My 90 incredibly inspirational minutes with him revolved around Dunbar's number and the seven pillars that bind us together, shaping our own tribes.

"Like Lara, I spent my first 20 years immersed in a deeply multicultural, often quite transient, environment, in my case in East Africa. It gives you a very different perspective on life and the world. Meeting those who have had the same experience, no matter where you meet them, feels like 'coming home'.”

As I reflected on these conversations, certain truths emerged: the people close to me are invariably independent, educated, and ambitious, sharing experiences of growing up, studying, or working amidst diverse cultures, much like my own journey.

This realisation extended to UBQT, where the first advocates were individuals with parallel narratives, enthusiastically embracing our mission, understanding the nuances, and resonating with the challenges we aimed to address.

While JoinUBQT has a unique local use case with the “catch me” status, Jonathan L. Hasson and I knew from the outset that our early adopters would be individuals from the diaspora – expats, digital nomads, corporate people, and MBA students temporarily gathered in one place before dispersing. In line with Dunbar's theory and various other influences, the initial tribes on UBQT would be formed by individuals with the innate UBQT DNA – not merely multicultural and global citizens, but also educated social networkers who matured with the belief that "the world is their oyster."

In the past weeks, I had the privilege of connecting with Kingsley Aikins a thought leader on global networking - CEO of The Networking Institute - to whom I owe my insightful conversation with Robin. His words added another layer of depth to my understanding.

"One impact of the rise in diaspora communities is the difference that is emerging between the state and?the nation – the state being determined by lines on a map and the nation being a global notion. The key is?having a sense of belonging and this can be to a country, region, city, place or organisation – think?universities or, even, companies. It's a dynamic fusion of identity, a heartbeat resonating beyond borders, defining a new narrative of belonging in our interconnected world".

This, in essence, encapsulates what "ubiquity" stands for. Our goal isn't to amass a billion users like impressively LinkedIn does; rather, we aspire to create a community of global citizens who cherish connections within a curated closed network, a sanctuary of individuals they value both personally and professionally. In a world hurtling forward at breakneck speed, and amidst lives that seem to get busier by the day, UBQT aims to be the bridge that helps reconnect in a tangible way, in a world where the virtual realm has claimed an oversized presence.

If this article resonates, join the tribe, JoinUBQT .

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