The World Design Organization (WDO)TM held its third World Design Talks in Toluca, Mexico on Friday 24 February 2017 to examine strategies for increased urban mobility in metropolitan cities, specifically looking at mobility issues in the City of Toluca, Mexico.
Hosted by the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM)and co-organized by Dr. Martha Zarza, Professor of Industrial Design, and WDO Regional Advisor, Jorge Abrams, Director General of Winn Innovation, the day-long World Design Talks was held at the Marriott Ixtapan de la Sal, and featured guest speakers Javier Verdura, Director of Product Design for Tesla Motors, Leiza Fernandez, Director of Innovation for the State of Hidalgo, and Srini Srinivasan, WDO Board Member.
Over 300 participants—including local academics, industrial designers, designers, consultants, and design students— attended the keynote speech given by Mr. Verdura, and over 80 delegates participated in the afternoon workshop. Noted guests included Alfredo Martinez Gonzales, Representative of the State of Mexico, Jorge Olvera García, Dean of the UAEM, Marco Antonio Luna Pichardo, Head of the School of Architecture and Design at the UAEM, and World Design Capital 2018 representatives from Mexico City, Carla Sofia Elizundia and Jaime Hernandez.
Mugendi M’Rithaa, WDO President, opened the event with the support of WDO board members representing six different regions of the world. Recognizing the large contingent of young designers in the standing room only audience, he encouraged them by stating that, “Tomorrow belongs to those who plan today.”
As this was the first time the WDO held an event in Mexico, Dean Jorge Olvera García noted that he was, “Very honoured to be part of an event unique not only in Mexico, but Latin America, and the world.” He also commented that, “We have to find similarities and commonalities in order to work together.”