World Design Organization Launches Global Foundation

World Design Organization (WDO) has launched the WDO Foundation, dedicated to furthering the organization’s mission of improving global quality of life through design, according to WDO.

Engaging with educational institutions, industry and global non-governmental organizations, the WDO Foundation will develop partnerships in technology, research and development and sustainability to support a variety of design-led projects and programs. 

"As an international organization, we are committed to leveraging our position to support the profession of design and its role in building a more equitable and sustainable world,” says WDO President Srini Srinivasan, who will also serve as the Foundation's first chair. “The establishment of this foundation represents an important next step for WDO in expanding the scope and impact of our global activities.” 

Alongside its partners, the WDO Foundation will work to: 

• support the development of design students and professionals by funding quality educational programmes, grants and scholarships that emphasize and facilitate interaction, collaboration and partnership across  international communities;
• raise awareness and demonstrate the benefits and tangible outcomes of design-led programmes to solve local and global, social and environmental issues;
• provide stakeholders from the civil society, industry, governmental and non-governmental organizations with support from the design community;
• support and fund educational endeavors and community projects to explore design innovation as a means to improve the well-being of communities.

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.