Over the past three days we have all engaged in an amazing event. So much has gone into this weekend, and our sponsors and supporters have helped make this a reality— they responded to our message of making the world a better place. First off, I would like to thank our partner institutions, Brown and RISD for allowing a group of students to take over an Ivy League school and a premier design institution for three days.
Additionally we have had a group of volunteers that performed above and beyond again and again, and this was not a simple event to coordinate. I’d also like to thank our corporate sponsors and donors and our principal sponsor, Kleiner Perkins Caufield Byers.
Reflecting on the experiences of this weekend, we have learned from a diverse array of speakers from five continents, engaged in conversations with attendees from around the world and worked together to create something bigger in activities created by Core77 and Project M. and created lasting connections with a broader community.
But I know I don’t need to tell you about how great this weekend was — you already know because you are the reason it was so successful, you made this event what it was.
Instead, what I’d like to address in closing is — What Now?
How do we make this more than just three day conference on social and environmental design and change?
How do we live this everyday and let these ideas and experiences shape our actions?
As Jaime Lerner said yesterday, it is really quite simple:
“If you want to get it done - do it now.”
The speakers and guests that shared their experiences with us this weekend are not only united by their multi-disciplinary design philosophies or passion to make the world a better place but they also continually push themselves beyond their comfort zone — taking risks, sharing their networks and providing invaluable counsel to an ever-expanding universe of social change agents.
None of us would be gathered here today if our committee didn’t share these same values — we could have made the excuse that we had too much classwork, not enough connections, and no funding. When we organized this committee seven months ago we couldn’t have appeared more different: Architects, Chemical & Mechanical Engineers, Industrial Designers, Graphic Designers, Scientists and Entrepreneurs — how were we ever going to agree on a list of speakers — much less a unifying theme.
Not only did we find common ground and a shared passion to invite people outside of our own disciplines — we came to embrace a broader notion of what creating “A Better World by Design” really means. And because of our fearlessness and our willingness to admit that we needed help, we have created the model of what a student conference should be, professionals teaching students, students teaching professionals - in an environment of constant openness and communication. As a group of just nine students we now have our institutions buzzing and are sending a wave of excitement through our community — generating an energy to do more. And this is where all of you come into the picture — the over 500 participants involved.
Assembled in this room we have an amazing community of people - and I am not only talking about our wonderful speakers and presenters. I am certain that every person in this room has something they can offer to continue this revolution. I challenge each of you to commit to take the topics and ideas discussed here back to your schools, practices, and lives and make something happen - share your expertise, support this collaboration, every part makes a difference. Our guests have shown that the new way of design is openness, collaboration and an ability to work out of your comfort zone. We are always looking for new experiences and ways we can put this conversation into practice so please come speak to us and we will make it happen, After all this revolution starts with you.