32nd World Design Assembly to convene in October 2021

The World Design Organization (WDO) has announced its plans to hold its 32nd World Design Assembly (WDA) in Shunde (China) on 29-31 October 2021. Held biennially, the three-day event is a significant occasion for the organization’s leadership, membership and external stakeholders to discuss key issues affecting the industry, guide the future of the organization, and explore the critical ways in which design can contribute to the international development agenda.

The event will be hosted by the Shunde People’s Government of Foshan in conjunction with several local events, namely the 2021 Guangdong Industrial Design World Expo and Shunde Design Week.

“The selection of Shunde is the result of a careful deliberation process following an international call for hosts last year,” stated WDO President Srini Srinivasan. “Shunde represents an important manufacturing base and industrial design hub in China where there are a reported 1800 industrial design driven companies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) of which Shunde is part.”

“Shunde represents an important manufacturing base and industrial design hub in China where there are a reported 1800 industrial design driven companies in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) of which Shunde is part.”

While the current expectation is to host an in-person event, WDO is cognizant of the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and will remain abreast of local and international health and travel restrictions to implement every necessary measure to ensure the safety of all delegates.

Through this collaboration, both WDO and the host aim to showcase the region’s capacity for innovation and creativity to new audiences around the world and to forge new partnerships that will promote sustainable economic and social development. “We look forward to convening our membership community to pursue our mandate and initiate tangible actions towards the betterment of quality of life through design,” stated Srinivasan.

More details about the World Design Assembly’s programming, which will include a Research and Design Education Forum will be shared in the coming months.