‘When I recall the “magical-moments” checklist of David Kester (the programme, the experience and the impact following) I must admit that the conference has made a difference for me’, VBAT‘s design director Lilian Vos wrote in an account of her experiences at Day 1 of WDCD Live Amsterdam 2016.
‘When I look back on the themes, being Africa, Music and Refugees, I must say that those are pretty differing topics, which for me did not really blend together in the programme. But my perspective changed, and I think that’s a great result from visiting the What Design Can Do conference for only one day,’ Vos writes.
Recalling the presentation by Michael Uwemedimo, Vos writes: ‘This talk had the deepest impact on me. [His] talk took us to Nigeria where, in the city of Port Harcourt, Michael had filmed a situation like a warzone: 48.000 people with torn down houses (illegal structures, and their homes). 48.000 people with nowhere to go.’
Uwemedimo’s story made Vos contemplate: ‘We live in a beautiful glass bubble right here, and I realise how brave it is to really take a stand for something. Feeling responsible for the world around us. At the end of Michaels presentation Hadassah de Boer (co-presenter) asked Michael how he had the guts to start this. His answer was amazing: “I always think AS IF certain things are possible, and if not, why bother?”’
Read the full report by Lilian Vos at vbat.com and meanwhile enjoy the video WDCD participants made under the guidance of Marcus Lyall for the musical piece ‘Zoetrope’ by pianist Joep Beving in a breakout hosted by VBAT.