Loneliness is a growing problem and some are taking action all over the world. Nadia Devita Oktarini Artonne of Loneliness Global Action (LGA) discusses her background, the magnitude of the issue and lots more in a wide-ranging interview. This is part of the TouchBase Reach Out series.
Get to to know LGA: Executive summary, sign up to join the movement and visit https://lonelinessglobalaction.org
You can watch the interview here, or read the transcript, lightly edited for clarity.
Yohay Elam (YE): Hi everyone. Thanks for watching or listening, and welcome to another episode of the Reach Out series, where we explore the intersection of human connection, technology, and mental well-being. I’m Yohay Elam, founder of TouchBase, an app that tackles loneliness by fostering meaningful connections.
And today, I’m deeply honored to speak with Nadia Devita Oktarini Artonne.
A structural engineer turned global changemaker, Nadia is the President of Loneliness Global Action, an organization taking on one of the most pressing issues of our time: loneliness. Their bold mission says it all: Within 10 years, no one in this world should be able to say, “I don’t know how to make friends.”
Welcome, Nadia.
NDA: Hi Yohay, and hello to all of you. Yes, the mission is bold, but it’s possible—and it’s urgent. Loneliness is not just a feeling; it’s a global threat. We believe the answer isn’t easy, but it is simple: togetherness. It must become a way of life.
I hope our audience stays with us to learn about our plan, because we need them. We need you to win this battle.
YE: Nadia, thank you very much for being here. Let’s start with your story. How did you go from engineering and business development to founding a global movement dedicated to solving loneliness?
NDA: Yohay, in life it’s important to know who you really are if you want to grow. Some people search their whole lives for this, and for me it took more than 30 years.
Since I was a kid, I’ve always been a fixer. I wanted to understand how things work and how to make them work better. I’m an INTJ personality type, so structure, clarity, and purpose have always mattered to me. That’s why I studied structural engineering. I didn’t just want to build—I wanted to build on solid foundations.
Later, I moved into business. Not pure sales, but business development and sales. I have always needed things to make sense, to have meaning and purpose. I even launched my own café—a space to bring expats and locals together. It was working until COVID hit. Like many others, I had to close down.
But one of my strengths has always been resilience. And for the mission I’ve chosen now, resilience is everything. Across all of my projects—from high-rise construction to brand campaigns—I kept asking: What are we really building here?
Because honestly, the world was starting to feel broken and disconnected. Yet I’ve always believed in the bright side of human nature. When cornered, we can evolve. We can show up for each other. We can heal.
That belief is what led me here. Not just to another job, but to a mission. And now I’m focused on what I believe is the most critical structure of all: human connection.
YE: Undoubtedly, it’s the most important structure. You’ve had such a rich career across sectors—from infrastructure to international marketing. But it seems that something deeper called you to focus on human connection. Was there a specific moment or realization that sparked the idea for Loneliness Global Action?
NDA: Yes. Behind my dedication—my devotion—there is a strong will.
Around 2019, life hit me hard. I lost my mom suddenly. My café, a business I had built with love, was forced to close, like many others during COVID. And I was stuck in a toxic relationship.
One by one, the pillars of my life crumbled. It felt like the universe was testing everything I had carefully built: my values, my limits, my foundations. And just as I had seen with my father years before, when things collapsed, many so-called friends vanished. Gone—like dust in the wind.
But I am resilient. I started asking questions—not just to myself, but to others: Have you ever felt lonely, even when surrounded by people? The answer was always yes. Young or old, rich or poor—it didn’t matter. Loneliness was everywhere, just hidden. And no one dared to name it.
So I did what I’ve always done: I studied the structure. I listened. I took notes. I mapped. I looked at emotion like a system: what builds it, what breaks it. I talked to strangers. I read. I kept reading.
One book I found recently expressed it perfectly: Wired for Love by Dr. Stephanie Cacioppo. She confirmed what I already felt: loneliness is physical, not just emotional. It changes your brain, your body, your health.
That’s when I knew—this isn’t just about me. This is a global emergency. And that’s how Loneliness Global Action was born. Not just to fix it, but to name it. To make it so loud it cannot be ignored anymore.
YE: Sometimes people get stuck in feeling shame about being lonely, when in fact it should be spoken out loud. How do you go about turning such a big vision—ending loneliness—into something actionable?
NDA: Let’s put aside innovation for a moment and talk about the problem itself. This giant we’re facing has clay feet. Loneliness isn’t some complicated disease. It’s not rocket science. It’s simply human connection—broken.
And Yohay, we are all born with the tools to fix it. This isn’t about elite solutions. It’s about common sense, empathy, and a shared need to belong.
That’s why we didn’t build a research lab. We are building a citizen-powered movement.
We’re talking about something that affects over 30% of people globally. Loneliness shortens six million lives every year. It’s as deadly as COVID, close to cancer, and twelve times worse than all current wars combined per year. And yet, no one is officially in charge.
So, we started local. After my partner GC’s TEDx talk, we launched our first chapter in France. Now, there are 10 countries on board, and we’re aiming for 100 by the end of next year. Anyone can start a chapter. All you need is to care and take the first step.
Then, we connected the dots: influencers—because they help shape norms; entrepreneurs—because they build real-world solutions. From this momentum, for example, Elephinity was born—the first European impact investment fund dedicated to socialization.
In fact, the founder, Nicholas Fantou, attended that same TEDx. Serendipity again. We helped inspire the idea, and now Elephinity is set to back over 10 ventures, already pre-selected, with more than €100 million.
So yes—it’s actionable. It’s on the move. It’s fast. And best of all, it’s human.
And to everyone listening: you already have what it takes to be part of this. You are human.
YE: It touches all of us—everybody living on this planet. What were the first steps you took to bring LGA to life? And how did others begin to rally around the mission?
NDA: When I say it’s a citizen-driven movement, it’s not just a slogan—it’s literally how it started.
After GC gave his TEDx Talk, a few people came to him right after and said, Let’s do something. No big plan, just a spark from the heart. That’s how the first chapter was born.
Then came the big question: What do we actually do?
We launched a petition. Just one post—from Noir Dorian, one of our co-founders and a well-known influencer in France—and boom: around 6,000 signatures in a single week. It called for the government to recognize loneliness as a public health emergency.
That’s when we realized: wow, there’s real fire here.
And then—silence. We sent open letters to ministers, even to President Macron. No reply. We understood we had to get louder.
And funnily enough, the real noise came from abroad. In Indonesia—my home country—the message hit home. Maybe because I’ve been active there for years and have more than 30,000 followers on LinkedIn.
Great NGOs like Into the Light Indonesia, Perempuan Muda, Tech Voice Indonesia, and others got in touch. People like Fita, a powerful mental health advocate, said, Okay Nadia, let’s open a chapter.
That was only about four months ago, and it exploded fast. Now there are 10 countries involved and even more candidates.
We had to slow down a little because, again, I’m an INTJ—I like structure and also safety. So now we’re setting up a funnel, onboarding tools, and a community playbook.
Just like a lean startup. But instead of creating profit, we’re building shared value. That’s the real capital.
YE: Let’s talk about the mission. That powerful line that caught my eye: Within 10 years, no one in this world should be able to say, “I don’t know how to make friends.” That’s super ambitious but also very inspiring. Can you unpack that a bit and tell us what it really means for you and for LGA?
NDA: You say it’s inspiring and ambitious—yes, for sure. But honestly, just sharing our mission statement out loud shows how absurd the situation really is.
Imagine bringing our ancestors back to life. They’d look at us and say: Wait, you built satellites? You cured diseases? You connected the planet with apps? But you forgot how to make friends? How?
Come on—we are humans. We are supposed to know how to do this. It’s literally in our DNA.
But here we are—swiping, swiping, swiping—just looking for someone to talk to. Meanwhile, scammers steal one out of every three dollars in the dating industry.
People—especially the young—are paying psychologists just to learn how to socialize. Why? Because fake lives on social media crush our self-esteem. We fear rejection. Cortisol kicks in, and boom—we’re trapped in a vicious cycle of loneliness.
I could talk about this for hours—I’m so passionate about it. But the reality is this: we’ve never had more ways to connect, and yet we’ve never felt more alone.
So no, I’m not saying everyone will magically have a best friend in 10 years. That’s not the goal.
What I am saying is: if we build safe, inclusive, real-life ways to meet—if we create serendipity—then we massively increase the odds for everyone.
This is about building the infrastructure for human connection. Local and global at the same time. And yes—it’s also a $2 trillion opportunity.
So let’s bet on it. Mark my words: five years from now, you will see the shift. If not, we are headed for a very, very dark place.
YE: So what are the core strategies and pillars that LGA is building to make that goal a reality?
NDA: At this stage, we share both values and dreams—but let me be clear: we are also grounded. As grounded as any strong structure should be.
As I said before, our foundation is the citizen. Not just symbolically, but structurally. Citizens are the ones starting chapters, joining for free, and bringing their voices to the table. Because if you feel lonely, it often means you don’t feel heard. And we want to fix that.
From that base, we are building three main pillars:
- Citizens and lawmakers
We connect people with those in charge. When citizens unite in large numbers, they become a powerful force. But it’s not only about influence—it’s about feedback. We want decisions to flow both ways: informing citizens about policies that affect them, while also pushing citizens’ voices upward to policymakers. - Collaboration with NGOs
There are amazing associations out there, often with over 80% satisfaction rates. Their communities are happy, but they operate in silos, too small in scale. We don’t want to replace or control them—we want to link them together. As I like to say: we will break the isolation of those fighting isolation. - The private sector
Workplaces, cities, healthcare—this issue touches everything. We want to identify what works globally, inspire startups, create jobs, and maybe even spark the next unicorns.
Holding all of this together, at the top, is our AI-powered global database. A shared tool, open to professionals, NGOs, governments, and most importantly—citizens themselves.
I can’t help but think like a structural engineer: solid foundations, strong bridges, and better blueprints for human connection. That’s what the world needs.
YE: Since we’re talking about engineering, are there any measurable milestones you’re tracking as you work toward that big 10-year target?
NDA: Yes. I understand the question, but honestly, we are a startup at heart. So yes, we love milestones, but we also love to adapt them along the journey. Don’t expect a rigid roadmap—there will be adjustments. I prefer to keep things zero-bullshit.
That said, we do have concrete goals. Our first milestone: 100+ active chapters by the end of next year. Bold, yes—but we’re already on track. With tools like LinkedIn, the right people are just a few messages away.
The next challenge is influencers—the ones who care. Many know they’ve been part of the problem, but they also want to be part of the solution. They can amplify citizen engagement, for example by driving petition signatures in every country.
So the KPI here is simple: Do governments listen? Do they move? When an idea becomes a movement, we’ll know.
From there, of course, comes crowdfunding—a huge lever. Just think of what was raised in France during Z Event 2024: 130 Twitch streamers went live for 50 hours and raised around €10 million in a single weekend—for the third year in a row.
Or look at Mr. Beast in the US, who raised $20 million just to plant trees. Now imagine that kind of energy behind human connection.
And to your point about measurement: yes, we’ll track everything—emotional impact, policy changes, funding, roles created. But here’s the real takeaway: loneliness costs the world $2 trillion a year. We’re not asking to spend more—we’re showing how to save money, save lives, and reclaim a piece of our shared humanity.
And we’ll move faster than most people expect—myself included. That’s very encouraging.
YE: There’s a lot of work here. How do you maintain momentum and belief when the mission is so huge?
NDA: You’re right—it’s fair to ask. How do you keep going when the mission is massive?
Here’s how I see it: the mission itself is huge, but the solution is natural. We’re not trying to build rocket ships—we’re trying to reboot something ancient: human connection.
The beautiful thing is that connection spreads like fire in a dry forest. And the world today is dry—thirsty for trust, for meaning. You light one spark, and if it lands right, it spreads. One person connects with three. Those three connect with nine. It multiplies fast.
So we’re not waiting for miracles. We’re creating moments—and those moments build momentum.
Most people are already online. Yes, it used to trap us, but now we’re flipping the switch—using the same tools to set people free.
YE: LGA treats loneliness not just as a personal issue, but also as a systemic one—as a public health challenge.
NDA: Honestly, I wish we could keep calling loneliness just a personal struggle. But that would be a lie.
Loneliness today is a public health emergency. It raises the risk of early death by over 25%—that’s more dangerous than smoking 15 cigarettes a day. It’s linked to heart disease, anxiety, stroke, even suicide.
And those are just the visible symptoms. What most people don’t realize is the economic tsunami behind it.
In the US alone, loneliness costs around $500 billion a year—from burnout and mental health issues to isolation in senior care. Globally, the impact is estimated at over $2 trillion every single year.
And yet governments invest almost nothing. Zero prevention, zero vision.
Even the announcements we do see are tiny. Take South Korea: a $13 million plan spread over several years sounds impressive—until you zoom out. Globally, public investment in loneliness is only around $200 million per year. For the whole world.
Meanwhile, we pour $2.7 trillion into military defense—defending borders while neglecting what really holds society together: trust, belonging, love.
Loneliness is quiet. Invisible. And that’s what makes it so dangerous. It creeps in, hollows people out long before any crisis makes the news.
That’s why Loneliness Global Action exists. Not to complain, but to make this issue visible, measurable, solvable. Because you cannot ignore the human core.
YE: Yeah. It’s such a huge problem. And the proportion of spending—that really shocked me.
NDA: It should.
YE: What have been some of your most impactful collaborations with governments or other institutions so far?
NDA: To be honest, governments don’t move at the speed of urgency—especially not when the problem is quiet and invisible. Loneliness doesn’t break windows or flood the streets; it breaks people silently.
So yes, getting public institutions to listen takes time. And working with NGOs isn’t always easier—the field is full of silos, and let’s be honest, there’s a lot of ego involved.
We’re still a young NGO. The kind of institutional partnerships that matter take time. Probably a year to become truly representative, maybe two to be recognized globally. But honestly, that’s already fast—and we’re on track.
That said, we are seeing encouraging signals. In France, in Indonesia—mission-driven NGOs, committed entrepreneurs, even city officials are starting to lean in. They see the vision. They get it. The impact is coming. We’re building it.
We just need a little more time—and maybe a few more loud voices.
YE: There’s this gap between a startup’s urgency and the slow pace of governments. How do you navigate that balance?
NDA: Who said we have to wait for them?
Yes, governments matter. Yes, we’ll build that pillar in time. But it’s natural: where the photos go, the policymakers follow.
Our priority right now is simple—show entrepreneurs, investors, and the public where to focus. Because the real key is the socialization market.
Remember, we are not just a movement to complain. It’s in our name: action. That means not one action for one group, but a global awareness effort—making loneliness impossible to ignore.
And let’s be realistic: most countries are in debt, economies are struggling. But look at how big issues like cancer are tackled: it’s the Pareto rule. Around 20% government + NGO, and 80% private sector. Why would it be different for loneliness?
We’re not dreamers. We’re pragmatic. We go where it’s efficient—where time is money and lives are on the line.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re not here to make profit. But yes—we are here to open the path for others. To build businesses that create millions of future jobs. Because let’s face it—with AI and automation growing fast, millions of people will lose their roles. And with that, their sense of usefulness.
And when usefulness disappears—loneliness explodes. We’re acting now, before that wave hits even harder.
YE: What can other countries learn from those already taking action on loneliness at the national level?
NDA: I don’t love this question, but let’s face it—it needs to be asked. Unfortunately, the lesson so far is disappointing.
Only two countries—the UK and Japan—representing just about 2% of the global population, have created a Ministry for Loneliness. And even that progress is fragile.
In the UK, for example, the ministry was downgraded into a simple committee. So was it symbolic? Yes. Was it effective? Hardly.
Still, we advocate for it. But let’s stop and look at the numbers: as I said earlier, the entire global spending on loneliness is around $200 million per year. That’s the equivalent of building 100 roundabouts.
Want another comparison? In the UK, that’s barely enough to maintain half the public gardens in London. What kind of impact can you really expect from that?
If governments want to learn anything, they should look at the private sector. When a CEO spots a leak draining billions, they invest at least 2% to investigate, and maybe 20% to fix 80% of the problem. It’s basic business logic. Why don’t we apply that to a crisis costing us $2 trillion a year?
The truth is, most politicians aren’t touched by loneliness. They’re surrounded by teams, constantly busy, purposeful. Demographically, they also tend to fall into the lowest-risk groups. So it doesn’t hit home. End of story.
That’s why the change won’t come from inside the system. It has to come from the people—from public pressure, from data, from evidence that solving loneliness isn’t just humane—it saves lives and cuts costs.
So far, not one country has really done it right. But here’s the good news: it only takes one to lead, and the rest will follow.
And I remain optimistic. We need to be.
YE: You mentioned the private sector and innovation. LGA also promotes ethical innovation—making sure tech supports connection rather than undermining it. What do you think needs to change in how technology is designed today?
NDA: It’s a tough question, but here’s the truth: most tech today isn’t designed to connect us—it’s designed to hook us. Apps compete for attention, not affection.
We’re not here to scroll. We’re here to bond. But dating apps and social platforms prove the opposite: people are swiping more but meeting less. What they call choice is really just noise. The result? Emotional burnout, disappointment, distress, and yes—more loneliness.
At Loneliness Global Action, we believe it’s time to shift from engagement at all costs to connection with intention.
That means designing tools that don’t just show you more faces, but that help you feel safe, seen, and understood. Safety is especially critical when online interactions move offline. We need tech that protects people—without tricking them or violating privacy.
And yes—it’s possible. We’re already exploring models that enhance user safety while staying compliant with global standards like GDPR. Security and dignity can go hand in hand.
Now, with AI entering the picture, the responsibility grows. AI can help people understand their emotions better, recommend local support, even flag risks of isolation. That’s powerful.
But we must draw a clear line: AI should support human connection, not simulate it. We don’t need robots pretending to be our friends. We need real friendships—with real people.
Ethical innovation is possible. But we have to choose it. And the first question every builder should ask is simple:
👉 Does this technology bring us closer, or push us farther apart?
YE: What principles should guide future innovation in this space?
NDA: I see three principles—and they’re non-negotiable.
1. Emotional Safety.
Tech must stop poking at insecurities just to boost engagement. Emotional safety means users don’t leave your platform feeling worse than when they arrived. Sadly, that happens far too often.
It’s about reducing social anxiety, avoiding manipulation, and ensuring no one feels disposable.
2. Long-Term Impact.
We need to stop designing for dopamine and start designing for dignity. If a product connects people today but leaves them more isolated tomorrow, that’s not innovation—it’s a trap.
Success should be measured in sustainable connections, not screen time.
3. Human Accountability.
Tech doesn’t get a free pass just because it’s “neutral.” Every design choice—from algorithms to UI—affects real lives. Builders must be accountable not only to users but to the emotional ecosystem they’re shaping.
At Loneliness Global Action, we’re not anti-tech—we’re anti-harm. That’s why we’re developing ethical guidelines and certification programs, so platforms can prove they’re building for connection. Users will be able to see who’s truly on their side.
Those who follow our standards will be highlighted globally through our upcoming app and open database. That gives them visibility and trust—while significantly cutting their marketing costs.
If we succeed—and I’m confident we will—this becomes a major leverage for good business and a win for everyone.
Because as we said from the beginning: no one should ever have to say, “I don’t know how to make friends.”
YE: This isn’t something just one organization can solve. What kind of partners are you looking for, and how can individuals or institutions get involved in LGA’s work?
NDA: I really love this question—and the answer is simple.
👉 If your family, your friends, or your colleagues matter to you—join us.
We’re a citizen movement. Anyone can be part of it. Become a member—it’s free. If you live in a country where no chapter exists yet, start one. We’ll guide you through the process. It’s free, or very low cost—and that makes you a founder.
From there, we’ll work together to build it up. We’ll also help you find the right people: entrepreneurs, psychologists, sociologists, politicians—anyone who cares. And trust me, there are many.
If you represent an organization, come talk to us. Share your mission and your actions—we’re here to amplify. If you’re open to it, we’ll help spread your ideas to other countries too.
We’re not big on bureaucracy. Our one strict rule is respect. We have zero tolerance for anyone who harms others or our mission. Beyond that, we stay agile and human.
So we’re open to partnerships and sponsorships, in both directions. We’re here to build together, not to compete. Because solving loneliness isn’t about ego—it’s about the heart.
And everyone has something to bring to the table.
YE: We’re getting closer to the close. If there’s one message or shift in mindset you hope people take from this conversation, what would it be?
NDA: Loneliness is not your fault. It’s not a weakness, and it’s not a sickness. It’s simply part of being human.
We are wired for connection, but we live in a world that has scrambled the signals. Solitude can be beautiful—good for reflection. But chronic loneliness is different. It’s not dangerous like in prehistoric times when being alone meant death, but it is an alarm system.
As my friend Alexia Burk brilliantly put it in her book, loneliness is a “bastard feeling”—a signal that you need to reach out.
So here’s the key: you have the power. Name it, understand it, don’t be ashamed. And if you’re not feeling lonely yourself, don’t judge those who are. They’re not broken. They don’t need your pity. What they need is to feel useful, to belong.
Belonging isn’t about being surrounded—it’s about feeling in sync with your home, your workplace, your city, your world.
That’s why Loneliness Global Action exists—not to tell people what’s wrong with them, but to show what’s possible when we reconnect as humans.
So if there’s one message I’d leave you with: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to wait for anyone to fix this for you. You have a choice and a voice. You can make a connection. You can start something.
And if you want to go deeper—research, tips, or even to contribute—follow me, reach out. I share what I learn, and I listen.
This isn’t just my mission. It’s ours. Together.
YE: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey, your mission, or what gives you hope?
NDA: Maybe just one personal note: start with yourself.
Work on your self-alignment, because you cannot truly belong with others if you don’t first feel at home with who you are. You need to become your own best friend.
And that’s actually the topic of the book I’m currently writing. It all begins there.
YE: Where can people follow your work, learn more about LGA, or join the mission?
NDA: To get involved, you can find us on LinkedIn and Instagram under Loneliness Global Action.
Read our executive summary, sign up to join the movement. I imagine you’ll share the links in the comments.
We’re also launching an influencer-first strategy to make connection go viral—and for you to increase your followers and interaction. The metrics for Noah were incredible.
So yes, join us. Bye everyone, have a great life, and maybe see you in action with us soon.
YE: That was amazing. Thank you very much, Nadia, and thanks to everybody listening.
If you’ve ever felt disconnected, know that you’re not alone. Reach out, take a step. Remember—together drives the mission.
And yes—you can download TouchBase, check out our social media, and visit our website.
Thank you for listening, and see you next time on TouchBase: Reach Out.