In Feb/March 2022 Open Design Afrika’s CEO, Suné Stassen was invited as a keynote at Interaction Week 2022. The event was hosted by IxDA (Interaction Design Association). The theme of this event was “Design in Perilous Times. One year on. What have we learned?”

Her powerful talk titled: “A Super Power to build a thriving future for people and planet”, aligned perfectly with the topic ‘Embracing Ambiguity’ on the first day. Other days focussed on topics such as New Essentials: Our building blocks & We Care: For ourselves, for our team.

Curious about designing a greater future for people and the planet? Curious about how to address the skills shortage of the past and present and how to develop social and human capital that’s future fit? Then this talk is for you!

Get comfortable, invite a few friends or colleagues and start watching! Let us know your thoughts and takeaways.

The talk also features many impactful projects, thought leaders, and future-makers who are an integral part of our global community at Open Design Afrika. These changemakers drive change on various levels and in different sectors for example Kristof Fenyvesi, founder of the Experience Workshop (STEAM Learning); Piet Grymonprez, co-founder and MD of MyMachine Global Foundation; Dr. Rael Futerman, Co-founder and Chief Learning Officer at CARTEDO; Noa Haim, founder of Collective Paper Aesthetics; the “School is Yesterday” trailer, which is a film about school produced by Alex Bell FRSA FCCT & Abi Moore; Janine Benyus, founder of Biomimicry 3.8. Institute and Sander Van Bussel, founder of the Human Rights Tattoo project.

You will also find great inspiration from other powerful inserts that include Kate Raworth, an English economist who explains the philosophy behind doughnut economics. Prince Ea, a spoken word artist and civil rights activist is also featured in his epic film ‘Man vs Earth’. Jack Ma, a Chinese business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and the co-founder and former CEO of the technology conglomerate Alibaba Group, shares his profound thoughts on the importance of Creativity and why it should be an integral part of education to build thriving futures.

Open Design Afrika Family Makers Day was sponsored by the Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sports and in partnership with the V&A Waterfront and Decorex. ODA hosted a series of live and online events. Most of the online workshops were not live-streamed.
On this day we hosted a series of online and in-person workshops, dialogues for the youth, and demonstrations to children and families globally who were eager to explore, experiment, create, innovate and learn more through our virtual and hands-on creative experiences. Family Makers Day is one of our most popular events and truly a day for family fun and also a day that even friends like to explore and experience together. We always offer an a la cart menu of different makers’ experiences. When you expose citizens and children of any age to fun creative and playful experiences as we do at Family Makers Day, they will start to develop creative intelligence which includes skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, complex problem solving, critical thinking and so much more. These are vital future-making life skills. This is why we at Open Design Afrika believe that Collaborative Creative Intelligence is a SUPERPOWER and that every child and citizen should have the right to develop it. In the past when we could still host our ODA festival, many children and adults from disadvantaged communities have for instance experienced the magic combo of creativity and technology like stop animation or virtual reality at our Family Makers Day for the very first time and it is always incredible to see how profound and life-changing these experiences are for them. 

XTALKS FOR YOUTH CHANGEMAKERS 2021

“Dreamers are Doers / Link Youth Power / Share, the World will listen” – a session where Youth encourages Youth!

YOUTH CHANGEMAKERS!

Do you see yourself as a youth changemaker? Do you dream of changing the world? Do you have a story to share with other youth? Do you want to network with youth from around the world?

‘Xtalks- World Listens‘ in partnership with Dreamland Eco English in Vietnam created an invaluable opportunity during ODA’s Family Makers Day for youth from around the world to speak their mind, share their stories and experiences with other youth.

Participants will also heard from the Vietnamese youth group about their first experience producing their own Xtalk recently. A great opportunity for other participating youth to learn how to do produce their own XTalks with the youth in their region.

“We believe every young person, no matter where they live, has an interesting story to tell the rest of the world. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could hear them all?” Alex Bell – Co-founder XtalksWORLDlistens

Learn more about XTalks HERE

Learn more about Dreamland Eco English HERE

Watch more XTalks videos from youth around the world HERE

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness  #OpenDesignAfrika

#xtalks #xtalksworldlistens #hundrED #hundrEDorg #top100 #Dreamland #Dreamlandecoenglish #dreamersaredoers #speakyourmind #shareyourdreams #linkpower 

Open Design Afrika Family Makers Day was sponsored by the Western Cape Cultural Affairs and Sports and in partnership with the V&A Waterfront and Decorex. ODA hosted a series of live and online events. Most of the online workshops were not live-streamed. 

Welcome to ODA Family Makers Day. On this day we hosted a series of online and in-person workshops, dialogues for the youth, and demonstrations to children and families globally who were eager to explore, experiment, create, innovate and learn more through our virtual and hands-on creative experiences. Family Makers Day is one of ODA’s most popular events and truly a day for family fun and also a day that even friends like to explore and experience together. We always offer an a la cart menu of different makers’ experiences.

When you expose citizens and children of any age to fun creative and playful experiences as we do at Family Makers Day, they will start to develop creative intelligence which includes skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, complex problem solving, critical thinking and so much more. These are vital future-making life skills.

This is why we at Open Design Afrika believe that Collaborative Creative Intelligence is a SUPERPOWER and that every child and citizen should have the right to develop it. In the past when we could still host our ODA festival, many children and adults from disadvantaged communities have for instance experienced the magic combo of creativity and technology like stop animation or virtual reality at our Family Makers Day for the very first time and it is always incredible to see how profound and life-changing these experiences are for them. 

WATCH ODA FAMILY MAKERS DAY’S LIVE STREAM

Opening and interviews were conducted by impact entrepreneur and MC of ODA Family Makers Day, Ellen Fischat, and CEO of ODA, Suné Stassen.

INTERVIEWS INCLUDED: 

  • Captain FanPlastic team (SA)
  • Anita Bloom, Creative Director at Decorex Africa (SA)
  • Srini Srinivasan, President of World Design Organisation (WDO) (California)
  • MyMachine SA team
  • Dr. Ralitsa Debrah  (Ghana) & Chris Pandolfi (Canada) from WDO’s Young Designers Circle
  • Hector Grimaldo from XTalks and Dreamland Eco English (Vietnam)

 

 

designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness #OpenDesignAfrika

World Industrial Design Day 2021 explored the topic of diversity – celebrating the diverse stories, perspectives, and experiences of designers, innovators, leaders, and educators from around the world. To mark the occasion, WDO hosted a 24-hour event, let’s talk: diversity, that featured over 70 speakers from almost every corner of the globe. Through a series of thoughtful and engaging conversations, discussions and workshops, we listened, we learned and we celebrated the power of diversity in design across all disciplines, regions, and cultures.

OPEN DESIGN AFRIKA AT WORLD INDUSTRIAL DESIGN DAY

On 29 June 2021, Open Design Afrika (ODA) was invited to host two sessions in collaboration with the WDO’s Young Designers Circle, Dr. Ralitsa Debrah and Chris Pandolfi at the World Industrial Design Day: “Let’s Talk Diversity”
As the moderator of one of the sessions, our Founder and CEO, Suné Stassen was joined by two dynamic Afrikan women, #Kenyan national, Dr. Njerie Mwagiru, a Senior Futurist at the Institute for Futures Research at the University of Stellenbosch Business School, and Benedicta Chukwuyem Apuamah, founder of Girls for Development Goals Foundation from #Nigeria.  World Design Organization #widd2021 #widd2021diversity #letstalkdiversity

More about the World Design Organisation HERE

More about the World Industrial Design Day 29 June 2021 – “Let’s Talk Diversity” HERE

WATCH THE ODA SESSION ON “LET’S TALK DIVERSITY”

TOPIC OF SESSION: “Following Nature’s Lead: The Power of Diversity as a Catalyst for Change and Prosperity”

To design a better world means that every citizen of this world plays a vital role as part of a ‘global design team’. Diversity is a key anchor to catalyze and ignite systemic change on a grand scale. In this discussion, the role of diversity will be explored within and beyond design and the creative industries.

MODERATOR: Suné Stassen

GUESTS INCLUDED: Benedicta Chukwuyem Apuamah and Dr. Njeri Mwagiru

 

 

WATCH THE JAM SESSION WITH WDO’S YOUNG DESIGNERS CIRCLE

 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness  #OpenDesignAfrika

In February 2021 Open Design Afrika’s CEO and Founder, Suné Stassen was invited to deliver a keynote at The Nature of Cities Festival. Her topic: “Creativity as a catalyst to develop appropriate social capital – a crucial building block for sustainable future cities”.  We are proud to say that her talk was extremely well received by this global audience.

More about The Nature of Cities Festival HERE

WATCH THIS PLENARY SESSION NOW!

CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDED:

FILM: Tanya Ruka / Wairua & Opanuku (films)

KEYNOTE: Suné Stassen
Cape Town, South Africa
“Creativity as a catalyst to develop social capital—a crucial building block for sustainable future cities”

FILM: Tim Colins & Reiko Goto / A Tree is a Living Thing (film) 4:20

DIALOGUE: Beyond trees: what is an expanded role for and meaning of forests in cities?
Ana Macias Madrid
Andrej Verlič, Ljubljana
Yvonne Lynch Riyadh
Moderator: Liza Paqueo

Harini Nagendra
Bangalore
Thinking ecologically about cities in the global south

 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness  #OpenDesignAfrika

small is MASSIVE!

With Heads, Hands, and Hearts!

FUTURE READY SKILLS DAY

Welcome to ODA’S Future-Ready Skills Day with heads, hands, and hearts! This event was live-streamed from the #VandAWaterfront #CapeTown, #SouthAfrica #ODA2020  

WATCH THE ROUNDTABLE DIALOGUE

Welcome to the Roundtable Session-  A deep dive into the Role, impact, and future of Design Education. This session was co-moderated and co-hosted by Professor Mariana Amatullo, President of Cumulus, and the World Design Organisation’s Young Designers Circle with team members Ralitsa D. Debrah, Ashton Margarete Moseley, and Corbin Raymond along with Christopher Pandolfi, Strategic Advisor for the Young Designers Circle.

 

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION & DRIVE CHANGE!

#OpenDesignAfrika calls on Afrikans and the world to action small seeds of change EVERYWHERE! Today we have to write the most important design brief in the history of humanity; it is time to rise in solidarity with our global neighbours and Inspirators for action! 

Let’s continue to celebrate the power of creativity and humanity through our global design champions, unsung heroes, and changemakers; as we share stories, learn together, and get inspired to unlock greater potential and aspirations for thriving futures! Through a series of global dialogues, followed by virtual coffee sessions; we have brought exciting Inspirators together with our global audience so that you can get inspired by their personal stories that touch the lives of a few, a community, city, country, continent, or globally. 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness 

small is MASSIVE!

With Heads, Hands, and Hearts!

FUTURE READY SKILLS DAY

Welcome to ODA’S Future-Ready Skills Day with heads, hands, and hearts! This event was live-streamed from the #VandAWaterfront #CapeTown, #SouthAfrica #ODA2020  

WATCH SESSION FOUR

For the fourth and final session, we were very excited to welcome CUMULUS ASSOCIATION, World Design Organisation, one of the Open Design Afrika Directors and former president of World Design Organisation and The Stellenbosch Academy to reflect on the important ROLE, IMPACT, AND FUTURE OF DESIGN EDUCATION to help shape this new future world we all desire today.

FEATURED INSPIRATORS FOR THIS SESSION INCLUDED:
*Find the Bios of our Inspirators on the FESTIVAL menu bar

1. Prof Mariana Amatullo, New York, USA: Mariana Amatullo is the president of Cumulus She is also the Vice Provost for Global Strategic Initiatives and Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design, The New School, New York.

2. Christopher Pandolfi, Toronto, Canada: Co-founder and Managing Partner of the Department of Unusual Certainties (DoUC). Strategic Advisor for the World Design Organisation’s (WDO) Young Designers Circle.

3. Prof Mugendi K. M’Rithaa, Nairobi, Kenya: Former President of World Design Organisation and director at Open Design Afrika

4. Ian Robert Marley, Cape Town, SA: Academic Head of Stellenbosch Academy

5. Jean Claude Nsabimana, Cape Town, SA: former student of Stellenbosch Academy. BA honors graduate in Visual Communication from Stellenbosch Academy of Design and Photography, and a BTech Photography graduate from Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT).

 

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION & DRIVE CHANGE!

#OpenDesignAfrika calls on Afrikans and the world to action small seeds of change EVERYWHERE! Today we have to write the most important design brief in the history of humanity; it is time to rise in solidarity with our global neighbours and Inspirators for action! 

Let’s continue to celebrate the power of creativity and humanity through our global design champions, unsung heroes, and changemakers; as we share stories, learn together, and get inspired to unlock greater potential and aspirations for thriving futures! Through a series of global dialogues, followed by virtual coffee sessions; we have brought exciting Inspirators together with our global audience so that you can get inspired by their personal stories that touch the lives of a few, a community, city, country, continent, or globally. 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness 

small is MASSIVE!

With Heads, Hands, and Hearts!

FUTURE-READY SKILLS DAY

Welcome to ODA’S Future-Ready Skills Day with heads, hands, and hearts! This event was live-streamed from the #VandAWaterfront #CapeTown, #SouthAfrica #ODA2020  

WATCH SESSION THREE

This session focus on the power and impact of Phenomenon Based Learning – learning through play which creates a far more conducive and inclusive learning experience to develop crucial future skills like critical and big picture thinking in ALL CHILDREN.

FEATURED INSPIRATORS FOR THIS SESSION INCLUDED:
*Find the Bios of our Inspirators on the FESTIVAL menu bar

(MODERATOR) Ilona Taimela, from Helsinki, Finland is the Founder and CEO of Helsinki Education Group. Ilona Taimela is a sought-after speaker, lecturer, and facilitator of educational transformation. We, as Open Design Afrika, are very proud to announce our partnership with the Helsinki Education group.

1. Piet Grymonprez, Kortrijk, Belgium: Co-founder of MyMachine Global together with Filip Meuris and Jan Despiegelaere.

2. Jeremy Maarman, Cape Town (Piketberg), SA: Founder and Director of the Initiative for Community Advancement and sole implementer and license holder of MyMachine Global Foundation programme in South Africa

3. Mbangiso Mabaso, Botshabelo, SA: Founder of Sisanda Tech – vision to build the world’s largest virtual science lab called Sisanda

4. Bruno Songane, Geneva, Switzerland: Project Manager at Goodwall, which is a professional development community for youth around the world – Goodwall is also responsible for creating the BetterTogether Africa program designed to support emerging young talent on the continent.

 

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION & DRIVE CHANGE!

#OpenDesignAfrika calls on Afrikans and the world to action small seeds of change EVERYWHERE! Today we have to write the most important design brief in the history of humanity; it is time to rise in solidarity with our global neighbours and Inspirators for action! 

Let’s continue to celebrate the power of creativity and humanity through our global design champions, unsung heroes, and changemakers; as we share stories, learn together, and get inspired to unlock greater potential and aspirations for thriving futures! Through a series of global dialogues, followed by virtual coffee sessions; we have brought exciting Inspirators together with our global audience so that you can get inspired by their personal stories that touch the lives of a few, a community, city, country, continent, or globally. 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness 

small is MASSIVE!

With Heads, Hands, and Hearts!

FUTURE-READY SKILLS DAY

Welcome to ODA’S Future-Ready Skills Day with heads, hands, and hearts! This event was live-streamed from the #VandAWaterfront #CapeTown, #SouthAfrica #ODA2020  

WATCH SESSION TWO

This session is all about gaining a deeper understanding of how to align and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals; Living in harmony, learning from nature through Biomimicry; creating flourishing environments, communities, and purpose-driven businesses.

FEATURED INSPIRATORS FOR THIS SESSION INCLUDED:
*Find the Bios of our Inspirators on the FESTIVAL menu bar

1. Harri Ketamo, from Finland: Founder & Chairman of Headai, a company solving global talent development challenges with cognitive AI

2. Jessica Berliner, Cape Town, SA: Managing Director and co-founder of Learn Biomimicry, and Instructional designer working with ReWild Africa.

3. Frederick Mbuya, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Founder of Uhurulabs (leveraging technology for social good)

 

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION & DRIVE CHANGE!

#OpenDesignAfrika calls on Afrikans and the world to action small seeds of change EVERYWHERE! Today we have to write the most important design brief in the history of humanity; it is time to rise in solidarity with our global neighbours and Inspirators for action! 

Let’s continue to celebrate the power of creativity and humanity through our global design champions, unsung heroes, and changemakers; as we share stories, learn together, and get inspired to unlock greater potential and aspirations for thriving futures! Through a series of global dialogues, followed by virtual coffee sessions; we have brought exciting Inspirators together with our global audience so that you can get inspired by their personal stories that touch the lives of a few, a community, city, country, continent, or globally. 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness 

small is MASSIVE!

With Heads, Hands, and Hearts!

FUTURE-READY SKILLS DAY

Welcome to ODA’S Future-Ready Skills Day with heads, hands, and hearts! This event was live-streamed from the #VandAWaterfront #CapeTown, #SouthAfrica #ODA2020  

WATCH THE WELCOME ADDRESS

Welcome address by Donald Kau, Head of PR Comms at the V&A Waterfront. Donald will also tell us more about the significance of the location for today, the Watershed at the V&A Waterfront. The welcome address also included a message from the Co-Founder and CEO of Open Design Afrika – Suné Stassen  

 

WATCH SESSION ONE

Empathy and Emotional Intelligence, Appropriate Education, and future skills are key to develop thriving futures! Let’s focus on the future of humanity – on the young minds we need to empower and enable so that they can design their own preferred futures as part of a world they will be proud to live, work and play in.

FEATURED INSPIRATORS FOR THE FIRST SESSION INCLUDED:
*Find the Bios of our Inspirators on the FESTIVAL menu bar

MODERATOR Alex Bell FRSA FCCT, UK: Founding Director of www.PortlandEducation.co.uk. Alex was also named the education catalyst Hundred.org ‘s global ambassador of the year for 2020 and is their lead ambassador to the UK

1. Blessing Akpan, Uyo, Nigeria: Co-founder of LinkOnlineLearners

2. Gabi Immelman, Cape Town, SA: Founder of MindJoy and an advocate and implementor for a STEAM education.

3. Nisha Ligon, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Founder of Ubongo, Africa’s leading kids’ edutainment company – reaching more than 17 million kids across Africa

4. Dr Anna Msowoya-Keys, Malawi: Founder of Maloto & Mzuzu International Academy

 

 

BECOME PART OF THE SOLUTION & DRIVE CHANGE!

#OpenDesignAfrika calls on Afrikans and the world to action small seeds of change EVERYWHERE! Today we have to write the most important design brief in the history of humanity; it is time to rise in solidarity with our global neighbours and Inspirators for action! 

Let’s continue to celebrate the power of creativity and humanity through our global design champions, unsung heroes, and changemakers; as we share stories, learn together, and get inspired to unlock greater potential and aspirations for thriving futures! Through a series of global dialogues, followed by virtual coffee sessions; we have brought exciting Inspirators together with our global audience so that you can get inspired by their personal stories that touch the lives of a few, a community, city, country, continent, or globally. 

#designtoinclude #designforimpact #designforchange #designforall #designforlife #designforwellbeing #AfrikanPride #proudlyafrican #Africanpride #LetsGoAfrika #futurethinking #thrivingFuture #futureforall #smallismassive #designlens #designingthefuture #changemakers #superheroes #ActiveCitizens #steameducation #futureskills #educationforall #unsdgs #humanitymatters #planet #StrongerTogether #bettertogether #togetherness