As part of our new video series for the WDCD #RefugeeChallenge, we spoke to the Dutch Minister of Culture, Jet Bussemaker, on how designers can help solve society’s biggest problems.
We met with Minister Bussemaker – who was the opening speaker of WDCD 2014 – during a visit to the Heumensoord refugee centre, near the city of Nijmegen, in the Netherlands. With a maximum capacity of approximately 3,000 people, the temporary asylum centre is currently the biggest in the country. Of the role designers could play in this situation, Bussemaker says: “In my opinion it is very important to involve designers in social issues. And the refugee crisis might be the most important issue of today.”
If you think you can come up with “that one unique solution that no one has thought of before” – then join the RefugeeChallenge by submitting your idea to our challenge platform. Our call for proposals will stay open until 1 May 2016, after which the best ideas will make a chance at winning the 10,000 euro Challenge prize. Learn more about how you can make a difference on whatdesigncando.com/challenge.