Education has the power to shape and define mindsets and responsive behavior, and ignite new ideas, solutions, and aspirations for a different future.

Therefore it has the power to shape the fabric of society and can determine the destiny of humanity and the planet.

“Looking at the world through a design lens we realize it is an interwoven, interconnected incredible ecosystem that totally depends on healthy symbiotic relations and diversity to thrive. No matter your gender, age, occupation, culture, heritage, or religious beliefs – as a collective we are all responsible for designing the state of this world. We need to learn how to think systemically and act collectively as a global community if we want to ignite real change on a momentous scale.

But we cannot achieve this without investing in developing Creative Intelligence and appropriate future-making life skills in ALL children. We cannot achieve anything without investing in the development of appropriate social and human capital that’s future-fit starting today! All efforts and global investments made to achieve the UN SDGs will be short-lived if future generations are not equipped to take the reins.

As one of the most powerful entities that can shape and transform society into a global community of future-makers, EDUCATION is the first foundational building block in the process to design a future world where people and the planet can thrive.

Although it is hard to predict exactly what the future of work holds 1, 2, or even 10 generations from now, we ARE capable to predict with certainty what human qualities will continue to be relevant for future success for example empathy, emotional intelligence, trust, imagination, innovative and problem-solving skills, holistic and systems thinking, the ability to negotiate, to be persuasive and to collaborate. And people who are agile and adaptable can think critically. Through Open Design Afrika’s activations and projects like MyMachine, we strive to continue to develop Creative Intelligence and creative confidence in all participants. We want to contribute to the development of active, responsive global citizens who are capable and confident to drive value, meaning, and significant impact across the *triple bottom line far into the future.” – CEO of Open Design Afrika (*Triple bottom, also referred to as the 3P’s: people, planet, profit).

A citizens’ education platform

It is no surprise that Open Design Afrika’s annual festival is also referred to as a ‘citizens’ education platform. After all, since its inception in 2013, ODA was the first collaborative public platform that truly offered accessible opportunities for people from all walks of life to fully participate, learn, share and collaborate.

Family Makers Weekends (FMW)

FMW’s are an integral part of the annual festival program and always offer a buffet of exciting makers’ spaces and creative experiences that are accessible to a diverse audience. Therefore young and old from marginalized and impoverished communities have also experienced the magic worlds of creativity, design thinking, VR, AR, and robotics for instance at ODA festivals for the very first time. Creating these accessible experiences not only optimizes the development of future-making life skills in all participants but also develops greater social cohesion across all levels of society. ODA experiences have become legendary and memorable for many.

The FMW program and each activity are mindfully crafted and curated as STEAM experiences to develop Creative Intelligence, and future-making skills in all participants, no matter their age.