Challenges and Opportunities for Enabling Mutual Learning and Collaboration in Design and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa and Beyond

DS 116: Proceedings of the DESIGN2022 17th International Design Conference

Year: 2022
Editor: Mario Štorga, Stanko Škec, Tomislav Martinec, Dorian Marjanović
Author: Susanne Nilsson (1), Bernard Shibwabo Kasamani (2), Julia Hede Mortensen (1), Dunja Stevanovic (3), Michelle Wanyang (2), Margareta Norell Bergendahl (1), Panos Y. Papalambros (4)
Series: DESIGN
Institution: 1: KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden; 2: Strathmore University, Kenya; 3: Botho University, Botswana; 4: University of Michigan, United States of America
Section: Design for Sustainability
Page(s): 1071-1080
DOI number: https://doi.org/10.1017/pds.2022.109
ISSN: 2732-527X (Online)

Abstract

Global collaboration and mutual learning in design are put forth as means to address the UN SDGs. This paper draws upon experiences in the Design Society’s AFRICA-DESIGN initiative to build a network of design academics and practitioners based in Africa with a focus on design for sustainable development. We identify education and social sustainability as particular opportunities and challenges, highlighting the critical element of mutual learning in the collaboration process.

Keywords: sustainability, collaborative design, innovation, mutual learning, Africa