2019 is an exciting year for us – BEDA will celebrate its 50th anniversary on May 16th. During this year BEDA will focus on creating insight for the next generation of design policy for Europe, as we launch the Design Action Plan. The current design policy was created by the European Commission in 2013, with significant input from BEDA and its board at the time. The world has, however, changed significantly in a short time, and Europe now needs a new design policy to support industrial competitiveness, citizens’ wellbeing, and European culture.

We need new approaches to design and to design professions, and more European level collaboration with professions and professionals close to design. It is also important to open co-operation with European businesses (BusinessEurope) to enchance use of design in European internal market and improve Europe's competitiveness. It is my understanding that collaboration is vital. Change does not stop on boarders of any country.