The IDA World Design Report aims to map the generic design sector in 12 countries (or economic development communities) as a pilot project to determine the contribution of the design economy and the level of strategic engagement of design as a socio-economic and cultural developmental imperative at governmental level.

The IDA World Design Report will address four questions:

• What are the structures/systems that define the design economy and what changes could lead to the recognition and promotion of design s contribution to the overall economy in the long term?
• Who are the participants in the design economy, what are their numbers and what is needed by particular populations, such as professional design association, design promotional agencies, design management consultancies and design educators to support their successful participation in the long term?
• How can approaches to governance as well as particular programs, services and initiatives strategically contribute to the enduring growth of capacity within the design community to foster an promote design s contributions in the long term?
• How does design contribute to socio-cultural development?
  

Facilitating understanding
The IDA World Design Report will facilitate the understanding of the magnitude, impact, characteristics and unique cultural differences of the design economy in an international context. It will further increase the base of policy and relevant research, encourage and support research partnerships and facilitate the sharing of best practises and transfer of knowledge regionally and internationally.

Building new networks
The IDA World Design Report's approach has been developed to foster collaborative alliances between national or regional governmental design policy makers/managers; design promotion agencies; representative professional bodies (preferentially recognised by membership in either Icograda, Icsid and IFI); design research centres; academic institutions; design management consultancies; and other organisations involved in the promotion of the design profession.

Initial funding for the IDA World Design Report pilot project is being sought through collaboration with national, regional and international partners to strengthen the capacity to develop a deeper understanding of the design economy and to help guide effective policy and program development. The International Design Alliance relies on partnerships with member associations of Icograda, Icsid and IFI; supportive international affiliations; national governments; design promotion agencies, and design research institutions.

For further information please contact:
Brenda Sanderson, Icograda Director
t: +1 514 448 4949, ext. 226
f: +1 514 448 4948
@: bsanderson@icograda.org