INDEX:’s mission is to promote and to apply design and design processes that have the capacity to improve people’s lives worldwide. By entering the INDEX: Partner City Network, Helsinki, Singapore and Copenhagen become a vital part of this mission as well.
The partner cities are now part of the movement that challenges the traditional concepts and stereotypes of design; highlighting the complexity of the design field, and demonstrating different solutions to problems such as education, urban transportation and climate change. This creative union of cities aims to work closely together to promote, celebrate and apply Design to Improve Life – thus raising awareness of design as a significant way to create promising solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
From Singapore, the Chairman of DesignSingapore Council Board, Mr Robert Tomlin, says: “A notable reflection of how design can improve life is illustrated by Singapore’s experience in designing public housing. It goes beyond building blocks of flats, and is about designing an integrated system that builds connectivity, fosters community spirit, and provides amenities and financial support. We look forward to exchange knowledge and insights on these aspects with Helsinki and Copenhagen”.
The Lord Mayor of Helsinki, Mr. Jussi Pajunen, is looking forward to reap the benefits of the new partnership, and says: “Through the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 project the whole Finnish metropolitan region is committed to design-led development as the source of wellbeing and competitiveness. All cities globally share the need for better solutions. The INDEX: Partner City Network is an excellent platform for learning and sharing from other cities and individuals.”
The partnership agreement with INDEX: and Helsinki is very closely linked to the World Design Capital Helsinki 2012.The Executive Director of WDC Helsinki 2012 Mr. Pekka Timonen says: “We found each other very naturally. We share the same vision on the role of design and we highly respect the work INDEX: has done. Helsinki as the World Design Capital in 2012 will provide an excellent platform to share and communicate this vision.”
INDEX: and World Design Capital Helsinki 2012 will announce more details about the cooperation on April 6th 2011. To read more about INDEX: and the partner city network, please visit www.designtoimprovelife.com.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
