Partner of the New European Bauhaus
Europe is to become climate-neutral by 2050. The German Design Council supports this goal as a partner of the "New European Bauhaus", an EU-wide initiative of the European Commission. To this end, the German Design Council contributes the expertise of its own international network of companies and experts from various sectors and disciplines.
The initiative was launched in September 2020 by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The New European Bauhaus is based on the fundamental values of sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion. Located at the intersection of art, culture, social inclusion, and science and technology, the initiative aims to explore ways of shaping our lifestyles that will enable Europe to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 within the framework of the European Green Deal.
In order to achieve this goal, the partner organisations commit themselves to one or more of the following objectives: working with experts from different disciplines to generate ideas for a sustainable society; identifying inspiring projects, practices and concepts; and conducting discussions with citizens about their needs and expectations.
Together with the other official partners of the initiative, the German Design Council will support the development of the New European Bauhaus and promote discussion of the issue.
About the last event, June 2022
"Together for a beautiful and sustainable future"
The first festival of the European Commission's "New European Bauhaus" invites you to discuss and shape the future from 9 to 12 June. The aim: to put the European Green Deal at the centre of everyday life.
The festival is built on three pillars:
- a fair, where projects and prototypes are exhibited and presented that reflect and support the values of the New European Bauhaus;
- a fest, consisting of a cultural programme with performances as well as opportunities to meet, interact and exchange ideas;
- a forum for the exchange of views and discussion of issues related to the New European Bauhaus.
The German Design Council will participate in lectures, talks, panels and an exhibition of design objects by young award winners within the programme "DESIGN IS NEVER NEUTRAL" at the Hessian Representation.
Sustainable Branding
Panel discussion at the Fashionsustain conference during Frankfurt Fashion Week
Sustainability, environmentally conscious lifestyles and responsible interaction with nature have now arrived in the middle of society, not only as premium offers for hip city people, but also for the mass public: T-shirts made of organic cotton, running shoes made of recycled material, lamps made of seaweed, rental systems for coffee cups, compostable packaging.
The need for environmentally friendly products and services is growing, but the potential is far from exhausted. In the meantime, the majority of Germans - 70% according to the latest trend study by the Otto Group - have recognised that sustainable consumption is important and that something has to change in our behaviour. But which products are sustainable, which companies act in a credibly sustainable way and produce corresponding products? How can the customer be guided?
This is precisely where design and brand are needed. Design and brand give orientation and identification, embody values, are sensual and emotional and can influence decisions. But what does sustainable brand management mean? How can an appropriate brand strategy be built? And what does authenticity mean in this context? How does good communication of sustainability look like? How can design and brand management support the sustainable transformation of a company? These are the topics of the panel discussion Sustainable Branding at Fashionsustain 2021.
Moderator: Siems Luckwaldt, Journalist for Fashion, Lifestyle, Beauty, Watches, Mindfulness
Participants and panellists: Lutz Dietzold, CEO, German Design Council, Frankfurt // Matthias Mey, Managing Partner, Mey GmbH & Co KG, Albstadt // Heidrun Angerer, Executive Creative Director, Peter Schmidt Group, Frankfurt // Bernd Draser, Lecturer, ecosign / Akademie für Gestaltung, Cologne
About the event, May 2021
"Shaping a sustainable world by design"
On 12 May, the German Design Council invited to the online event »Shaping a sustainable world by design«. The host of the event is Lutz Dietzold (CEO of the German Design Council). Our guests will be keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber (Director Emeritus Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research [PIK]) and Alessandro Rancati (Policy Analyst at the JRC, the science service of the EU Commission; planning office of the New European Bauhaus).
»Forward to nature,« says Professor Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber. He is referring to how we should learn from nature and combine it with the latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence, to build a better, more sustainable world. Schellnhuber emphasised the urgency of achieving climate neutrality as soon as possible and outlined options for combining sustainable materials with ultra-modern methods. Björn Asmussen from architecture and design firm 3deluxe presented concepts for environmentally friendly cities fit for human habitation. Maria-Liisa Bruckert from Siemens AG described buildings as ecosystems that constantly adapt to people’s needs. Alessandro Rancati from the European Commission provided practical advice about participating in the New European Bauhaus. The audience members were from all across Europe.
Review of the programme:
- Introduction Lutz Dietzold, CEO German Design Council
- Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, Klimaforscher, Potsdam Institute of Climate Impact Research:
Keynote - What is at stake? What is the vision of the New European Bauhaus? - Alessandro Rancati, Policy Analyst at JRC, Planning office of the New European Bauhaus:
How to participate? Scope and schedule of the New European Bauhaus - 3deluxe, Dieter Brell, Creative Director
Mini clip: WeThePlanet House - Siemens AG, Maria-Liisa Bruckert
Mini clip: Smart Infrastructure