International Design Alliance Heads to Gwangju, South Korea, in 2015
February 11, 2013
The International Design Alliance has chosen Gwangju, South Korea, as the next host city of the 2015 IDA Congress.
The city was selected based on the strength of its bid, co-led by Korea Craft & Design Foundation and Gwangju Metropolitan City during an international competitive bid process, which began in September 2011, according to IDA officials.
The upcoming event in Gwangju will be the third iteration of the IDA Congress that was established to engage a dialogue between designers and non-design stakeholders.
The aim of the IDA Congress is to bring together the international design community in a themed framework to advance the vision and mission of the IDA by engaging government leaders (commerce, trade, culture, etc.), INGO's, business, science and technology, education and the social sciences and to present multi-disciplinary design sessions relevant to the IDA Partner disciplines of industrial, communication and interior architecture/design.
“Korea's enthusiasm for design innovation and the growth of its design industry are exceeded only by the involvement of its citizens in the design process,” said Rieh Sang-kyun, president of the Korea Craft & Design Foundation.
Sang-Kun added, “We are thrilled to be able to share our enthusiasm for design with the participants of the 2015 IDA Congress and look forward to showcasing the inclusive, innovative and sustainable aspects of design.”
Kimdaejung Convention Center will be the main conference venue for the 2015 IDA Congress Gwangjuand the theme presented for the congress is “Collective Design.”
“This is an exciting theme that will allow us to continue to discover where design disciplines converge,” said Soon-in Lee, Icsid president. “We are building on the foundation that design in the 21st century is manifold and multidisciplinary at its core. Design is for everyone and therefore must inject humanity in its development. The Korea Craft & Design Foundation and Gwangju Metropolitan City have shown that they understand the multi-participatory aspects of design and what we aim to do with this congress, which is to unite designers and design enthusiasts.”
Gwangju, along with Seoul, Busan, Daegu and Incheon, form the design hub of the Southeast region of South Korea. Gwangju is also the key economic centre of Northeast Asia with a population of more than 1.5 billion people representing one of the world’s three largest trade markets.
“Gwangju has moulded itself into a centre of cultural exchange. Its rich cultural traditions provide a unique and textured backdrop to the vast developments made in the technological, infrastructure and design fields,” said the Mayor of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Kang, Un-Tae. “We are eager to welcome designers from all disciplines and participants from other sectors that employ design to propagate a world that is balanced, inclusive and sustainable while furthering design knowledge.”
The 2015 IDA Congress will take place in October 2015.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
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MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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