TRUTH TO POWER

In an era where disinformation, inequality, and climate crises are on the rise, the need for truth is more powerful than ever. The Truth to Power theme explores how creative thinkers, makers, and communities can spark activism and social change by revealing injustice, encouraging accountability, and addressing misinformation. From social justice to climate action, this theme looks at how emerging technologies like AI and data are used both for manipulation and for transparency. Truth to Power invites us all to use these tools to make complex issues visible, share authentic stories, and bring people together for a fair and sustainable future.

How can creativity shine a light on the hidden truths of injustice and inequality? How can we turn complex data into accessible, compelling narratives that encourage action? What responsibilities do we have in responding to misinformation and disinformation?

CLIMATE FUTURISM

When it comes to climate change, much of our cultural imagination is apocalyptic, making it hard to envision hopeful solutions. But if we can’t imagine possible climate futures, we can’t create them. Now is the time for creativity to show what’s possible. Across architecture, technology, materials, products, and systems, creative practice shapes how we experience the world, what we value, and how we relate to our surroundings. Can we imagine a world where the cycles of nature inspire how we make, use, and care for things? How can we help society move toward systems that renew natural resources rather than deplete them? Through this theme, we explore both visionary futures and practical circular solutions already making a difference.
How can creative ideas help us see beyond crisis toward regeneration? What role does imagination play in building fair and sustainable systems? Which real-life examples are already showing us the way forward?

BELONGING BEYOND BORDERS

What does it mean to belong in a world where identities are fluid, homes are layered, and borders—both visible and invisible—shape how we move, live, and connect? Belonging Beyond Borders explores how creativity can nurture connection across cultures, histories, and lived experiences. It asks how we can create spaces—physical and emotional—where everyone feels seen, safe, and heard. From street corners to shared memories, from personal rituals to collective futures, this theme invites young creatives and communities to reimagine belonging not as a place, but as a practice. It is a call to design for empathy, resilience, and inclusion—across all the lines that might otherwise divide us.

How can creative approaches help us foster a sense of belonging for all? In what ways can we make space for new voices and perspectives? What does true inclusion look like, both locally and globally?