Engaging Young People to Embrace Regenerative Design & Creativity

This conference will follow a day of engagement with underrepresented (in creative/design industries) primary and secondary school children from Cambridgeshire.

As the world shifts toward sustainability, using natural materials and other bio-based resources is rising. However, without proper systems in place, this demand could repeat historical patterns of exploitation, where resources are extracted from the Global Majority, located mainly in the 'Global South’, representing some 6 billion people, approximately 88% of the world'spopulation to serve wealthier nations inthe 'Global North’, representing approximately 1.6 billion people, leaving local communities with little benefit.

This discussion will explore how to prevent this cycle and ensure that natural material value chains empower local economies, foster fair trade, and protect environmental and cultural integrity.

Aims of the Youth Engagement workshop and Panel Discussion:

1. To inspire children and young people to consider university education, including applying to Cambridge University to further their study after sixth form
2. To inspire children to consider pursuing architecture, urban design and town planning as a career
3. To provide the opportunity for children and young people to learn about the value of placemaking, regenerative design and sustainability, including the basics of design and sustainable materials
4. To provide an opportunity for academics, young people, placemaking professionals to take part in a panel debate to explore issues on inequality and global sustainability

Panel Guests:

Moderator - Professor Michael Ramage (Representing University of Cambridge)

• Professor Neil Pinder (Representing HomeGrownPlus)
• Dr. Bonnie Kwok (Representing placemaking women from BAME background)
• Heather Jones (Representing the Local Planning Authority)
• Damion Burrows (Representing DMBA)
• Jane Driver (Representing students from the secondary school sector)
• Naomi House (Representing Middlesex University)

Collaborators: Darshil Shah, Jane Green, Paul Boucher, Tom Davies, Maxine Ross, Noris Obijiaku

Following the interactive panel discussion (18:00-19:30), there will be opportunities for networking and continuing discussions (19:30-21:00) over a sandwich buffet (limited capacity).

The event is Hosted by HomeGrownPlus, St John's College, Sidney Sussex College, and supported by the Greater Cambridge Youth Engagement Service (YES), and the Centre for Natural Material Innovation at the University of Cambridge.

Host or Publisher Centre for Natural Material Innovation