The Interdisciplinary and Intercultural International "EMERGENCE" Conference 2025, which took place at the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts in Wuhan, China, was a remarkable scientific event.

I was privileged to deliver a keynote presentation entitled "Mission Impossible? Enabling Change Through Design." In post-industrial consumer societies, materialism continues to hold significant appeal. Nevertheless, there have been discernible shifts in values among certain segments of the population in recent years. Creative professionals, particularly in the UNESCO Creative Cities, have been at the forefront of driving this change, striving to effect social, economic, and ecological transformations. During my lecture, I showcased concrete project examples that illustrated the pivotal role of collaboration—uniting politics, science, the economy, creatives, designers, activists, and the public—in finding solutions and realizing the goals of social, ecological, economic, and digital change in the near future.

The conference also featured esteemed speakers and friends, including Lorenzo Imbesi (Cumulus President), Eija Salmi, Miaosen Gong, Alok Nandi, Josyane Franc, and Eriko Esaka. Furthermore, I had the honor of being invited as the Academic Host of the "Youth Forum," which showcased approximately 40 compelling presentations by young researchers, designers, and artists on the topic "Exploring the Uncharted."

The conference served as a dynamic and enriching forum that promoted interaction and collaboration across various disciplines and cultures. Wuhan's distinctive fusion of tradition and modernity undoubtedly enhanced the discussions, offering an inspiring backdrop for the event. It is evident that the connections and ideas exchanged at the conference are poised to have a lasting impact and cultivate international collaborations within the design community.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Hubei Institute of Fine Arts for their professional organization and gracious hospitality, with special appreciation to Hanny Wijaya and Melody Yang for their invaluable contributions in making this event possible.

Fotos:

1-2, 5-11 Hubei Institute of Fine Arts

3-4 Ren Lu