Design for the World '99 Tokyo Symposium REPORT
Presentation
From Establishment to Action Plan of Deign for the World
Mai Flip
Greetings to you all, I am pleased to be back to Japan again. It was a decade ago that I visited this beautiful country to attend the World Design Conference held in Nagoya in 1989, as a member of the Spanish delegation. While I was involved in showing Gaudi's works, I came to know many Japanese designers of different design organizations, with whom I continue to have warm friendship today. I remember very well that the Japanese government offices were keen to encourage good designs. 
Birth of Design for the WorldI would like to talk about how this Design for the World was born. It dates back about a decade ago when the establishment of an international interdisciplinary design organization was first discussed. But it was only in 1997 that the historic conference was held. In December of that year, representatives of the IFI, ICOGRADA and ICSID gathered together in Corona Barcelona, my hometown, and appointed two persons to organize a preparatory group for such an organization.
In August 1998, the Charter of Design for the World was signed by the three organizations, which marked the official start of the activities. Since that time to today, discussions for the Action Plan have occurred arriving close to a conclusion to be ratified by the Assembly held in Sidney in September this year. The three original organizations have kept close communication to avoid any mistakes or misunderstandings. The Barcelona City government has given us great support.
Message from the Mayor of BarcelonaI would like to read the message from Mr. Clos, the mayor of Barcelona.
Dear Mr. Ekuan, Chairman
"On behalf of the city of Barcelona, I would like to inform you that we are very honored to have the head office of Design for the World in our city. As you know, Barcelona has design as its theme. By hosting the activities of Design for the World, the name of Barcelona as a city of design will be come better known to the world. We are in the times when new things are created every day. At such times, design work has increasing importance. Through design work, joint efforts with creative people will evolve here and there in the city, and they will be great support for the industry and culture of Barcelona. (omit) The City of Barcelona will continue to give positive support to the activities of Design for the World. I hope that other countries and organizations will join us to support the activities. I wish I could see you all again in Tokyo."
I would like to mention that we receive financial support or mental support also from the government of Catalan province, and the monarch of Spain.
Development from Sidney
Design for the World became visible as an organization to realize an idea to make design useful to human society. It is still small. We have only myself and an assistant, Christina, and a few volunteers. However, we attempt to address the problems which are really urgent today. This will lead to a new significance of design. We are inviting various design organizations to join us, such as the International Architect Association, International Landscape Association, and International Craft Conference as well bas community-based design groups. We are intending to cooperate with UNESCO and NGOs including Medicins sans Frontie re. Our Action Plan is almost completed. Another board member will explain about it later.
For the future, the presentation of the Action Plan at the Sidney Conference will be of immediate importance. From this Action Plan, we will begin to implement some projects. It is most likely that these projects will be in the fields of life, medicine and environment. For the following months, we will be engaged in finding sponsors. I hope you will participate in our activities in one way or another.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Japan Institute of Design for organizing this symposium, as well as the government offices, newspaper companies and other companies which support this symposium.
Mai Felip: Director General of DW / Spain
Deputy Chairperson, Executive Board of Barcelona Design Foundation, Senator of International Council of Societies of Industrial Design , Board Member of the Environment Commission, Barcelona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Member of the Technical Commission, "Strategic Plan Barcelona 2000," Member of the International Commission for the Diffusion of Catalan Culture.
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