Global Classroom: Designing for Wicked Problems

VDN Lead: Jesi Carson

Cape Town Design Nerds Leads: Mukisa Mujulizi and Matthew Wingfield

This virtual Design Jam took place on 5 Fridays between 29 September – 27 October 2023, incorporating design thinking to facilitate interdisciplinary student exploration and collaboration, project development, and problem-solving. It consisted of four facilitated workshops and one presentation/pitch day. Between workshops, students worked together in small global teams to expand on and test design ideas developed for community partners. The Global Classroom team provided guidance and feedback to help students prepare to present their work. Groups presented their projects to faculty and civil society / Global NGOs for real-world feedback.

As part of our biggest virtual jam to date, 20 student facilitators from three partner universities were trained in virtual design thinking facilitation, and did an incredible job guiding group progress. Over 80 students took part in this jam, with 10 teams producing project ideas for 3 community partners.

This event was produced in collaboration with University of Toronto, Hart House Global Commons, University of Toronto Scarborough (Canada), University West (Sweden), Stellenbosch University (South Africa), Participedia, Vancouver Design Nerds and the newly formed Cape Town Design Nerds.

Our community partners included i4Policy, Africa, The Climate Reality Project, Canada and TNKVRT, Sweden.

Check out the full event description on the Global Classroom for Democracy Innovation event page. Summary report coming 2024!