It’s time to unleash designers’ potential! Design has the power to strengthen democracy, drive innovation, and shape a more sustainable future. At BEDA Design Forum 2025, designers, policymakers, and industry leaders will come together to explore how design can be the catalyst for meaningful change.
This year’s forum will focus on fostering lifelong learning, investing in research, protecting intellectual property, rebuilding trust in democracy, and shaping a safer digital future for Europe.
Through thought-provoking talks and great examples, the forum provides a space to exchange reflections and knowledge. It’s also a chance to foster inspiration and emphasise the value of meaningful conversations. Ultimately we want to build on the insights of the BEDA Position Paper to amplify design’s role in Europe’s sustainable growth.
Join the conversation—let’s unlock the full potential of design!
Provisional Programme
13:30 – 14:00 Part 1: Registration: Meet & Network
14:00 – 14:15 Part 2: Welcome and Introduction
14:15 – 17:20 Part 3: Keynote Speakers and Discussions
14:15 – 15:05 Panel 1 Skill Up!
Moderator: Mark Illi, Vice-President BEDA, Swiss Design Association
Peer-to-Peer Learning as Vocational Education – Claudia Siebenweiber, Berufsverband Kommunikationsdesign e.V., Germany
The Science and Upskilling – Fabio Babiloni, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Italy
Pact for Skills – TBC
Moderated discussion
15:05 – 15:25 Panel 2 Kick-Off MADres: Beyond the Obvious
Introduction
Empowering Design –Prof. Regina Hanke, BEDA Secretary, Mark Illi, Vice-President BEDA, Piotr Swiatek, BEDA Treasurer
Short Break (15 min)
15:40 – 16:30 Panel 3 Resilient Democracy
Moderator: Prof. Regina Hanke, BEDA Secretary, Deutsche Designtag
Design in Government – Trevor Vaugh, Department of Public Expenditure NPD Delivery & Reform, Ireland
Service Design for a Stronger Democracy – Ivo Dewitt, SDN, Belgium
A New Democratic Design Culture – Philipp Cartier, Gestaltungszentrale Politik, Germany
Moderated discussion
16:30 – 17:20 Panel 4 Build Trust in a Digital Europe
Moderator: Christina Melander, BEDA President, Danish Design Centre
Ethics and Open Source AI – TBC
Digital Innovation & Citizen Engagement – Marcello Coppa, FEEL, Italy
Cyber Ethics – TBC
Moderated discussion
17:20 – 18:00 Part 4: Closing Remarks & Speakers Corners
18:00 – 19:00 Drinks & Networking!
Save the date and secure a seat NOW by registering HERE.
Venue: Design Museum Brussels, Place de Belgique, Brussels, Belgium
Fee: FREE (but registration needed – link above)
All BEDA members are invited to the BEDA General Assembly (GA) the next day, 16 May, at 9:30 in Place Sainctelette 2, 1080 Brussels, Belgium. The BEDA GA is a members-only event.