Designing our democracy seminar at Open Design CTNext year, South Africa will be celebrating 20 years of democracy. The process of nearing democracy is a feat that can only be achieved through problem solving, innovative thought, creativity, lateral thinking and significant strategising by civil society, governments and individuals. Design is the process through which solutions are found, and realising democracy as a product of design is an important step to creating an inclusive and integrated nation. The DESIGNING_democracy seminar forms part of the initial discussions and lays the foundations for DESIGNING_SOUTAFRICA's Designing our Democracy programme. With South Africa continuously facing challenges in providing adequate housing, education and health specifically to the underprivileged majority, it is through design that these challenges become enticing briefs for creative minds to collaborate with specialists and develop social solutions. DESIGNING_SOUTHAFRICA has identified an opportunity for design in its most diverse forms to assist in shaping a more equitable, resilient and socially empowered South Africa. Speaker highlights for the seminar will includeAndrew Makin Professor Edgar Pieterse Edgar will be talking with SIthole Mbanga, CEO of SA Cities Networks, an organisation that encourages the exchange of information, Thorsten Deckler He initiated the research project Housing and the Informal City in collaboration with the Goethe Institute investigating the processes of informal housing. He will talk on DESIGNING_housing and question the need for yet another designer chair, iconic building or pretty-picture urban framework when the real needs of the majority of the population pose an infinitely more interesting and difficult challenge for designers and professionals to engage with. Professor Harry Hausler Where and whenFor those interested in exploring creative solutions to better South Africa's future, join us for the DESIGNING_Democracy seminar on 29 All proceeds will go to activating the second part of the Designing our Democracy programme, an exhibition to be hosted as a project of the World Design Capital 2014 and during the second edition of Open Design Cape Town next year. Purchase your ticket through Quicket |