Challenges and Opportunities for Enabling Mutual Learning and Collaboration in Design and Innovation for Sustainable Development in Africa and Beyond

Abstract

Global collaboration and mutual learning in design are put forth as means to address the UN SDGs. This paper draws upon experiences in the Design Society's AFRICA-DESIGN initiative to build a network of design academics and practitioners based in Africa with a focus on design for sustainable development. We identify education and social sustainability as particular opportunities and challenges, highlighting the critical element of mutual learning in the collaboration process.

“Ideas are really…” – supporting collaborative dialogues and community of practice for innovation via CO:RE cards

“…Innovative capabilities may also be enabled by CoPs as they serve as situated platforms and dispersed collaborative environments that encourage learning for innovation (Pattinson et al, 2016). Proper collaborative and mutual learning strategies can support and foster the enrichment of design, ideas, and innovation (Nilsson et al, 2022) that can be applied to both large organisations and SMEs (Pattinson and Preece, 2014). The knowledge construction concept in CoPs relates closely to situated learning theory where learning is "situated in authentic practice contexts" (Hoadley, 2012 p. 290).…”