August 23, 2017

IFI PRESS: 2017 IFI CONGRESS | African Culture & Design Festival | XXVIII (28th) General Assembly

 

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Designers know creativity is a powerful force that transforms and transcends all boundaries. In November 2017, the International Federation of Interior Architects / Designers (IFI), the unique world body for the Interiors profession and a design INGO, will explore how creativity can serve as a vehicle for social and economic transformation through a series of international events in Lagos, Nigeria. Hosted in partnership with Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN), the 2017 IFI CONGRESS and African Culture & Design Festival (ACDF) will bring together creative leaders and professionals from all corners of the globe to explore the power and potential of design in developing societies and cultures around the world.

“There is huge great design potential in Africa,” notes IFI President 2015-17, Sebastiano Raneri, “The 2017 IFI CONGRESS and African Culture & Design Festival will help to clarify how designers can contribute to Africa’s development. By extension, this will help the design community to understand how design can promote economic and social growth around the world.”

Over the course of four days of an art, culture and design festival, as well as a formal day of congress meeting, design professionals and enthusiasts will debate the global social responsibility of the profession and determine the future of design excellence. In conjunction with these events, IFI will host their XXVIII (28th) General Assembly (GA), the biennial business meeting of the 54 year old organization. All events will take place from 9 to 12 November at the Eko Convention Center in Lagos, Nigeria, one of Africa’s most rapidly growing creative cities.

2017 IFI CONGRESS

To identify how the world’s foremost design experts are using their skills to enhance human health and well-being, leaders from across industries will explore the 2017 IFI CONGRESS theme, World-Class Design in Regional Markets, from various regional and disciplinary perspectives. A morning session will be opened by IFI President 2015-17, Sebastiano Raneri, and will feature keynote speeches from world-renowned architects, artists and designers.

An afternoon session for the 2017 IFI CONGRESS will include keynote speeches and panel discussions with African Culture & Design Festival artists and curators: Ms. Ronke Ashaye (Curator of the National Museum in Lagos) and Ms. Bisi Silva (Director of the Centre for Contemporary Art in Lagos; Curatorial Consultant, Bisi Silva Projects).

African Culture & Design Festival (ACDF)

Organized under the theme “This is Africa,” the African Culture & Design Festival (ACDF) is an open exhibition featuring traditional, modern and contemporary African art and design. Titi Ogufere, 2017 IFI CONGRESS and African Culture & Design Festival Director, IDAN Founder and IFI Ex-Officio Executive Committee Member, Ms.  Titi Ogufere explains the motivation for organizing the Festival in Africa: “…When we go to international fairs, [other people]…tell us how Africa is,” she notes, “but we want to show the world who we really are. We are thrilled to host this event. We are a young industry and for us, it is a great opportunity to showcase what Africa is.” The ACDF will run from 9 – 12 November 2017.

An Opening Ceremony for the 2017 IFI CONGRESS and African Culture & Design Festival will take place on 9 November 2017 at the Federal Palace Hotel Marquee in Lagos. The ceremony will be attended by dignitaries, government officials, keynote speakers and 2017 IFI CONGRESS and African Culture & Design Festival attendees. Additional social events will provide exclusive networking opportunities for participants. These events include a Gala Dinner on the evening of 10 November 2017 and a Cocktail Reception on the evening of 11 November 2017. Social and Cultural Tours of Lagos will also be offered for participants.

XXVIII (28th) IFI General Assembly (IFI GA)

The XXVIII (28th) IFI General Assembly (GA) is the business meeting of IFI. This biennial event is attended by IFI’s Executive Board, members, external stakeholders and community, to discuss IFI programs and projects, past and future, and plan for initiatives to be undertaken over the new term. The XXVIII IFI GA will take place the afternoon of 11 November and the morning of 12 November 2017 at the Eko Hotel.

Registration for the 2017 IFI CONGRESS and African Culture & Design Festival is open to the general public. For media inquiries, please contact programs@ifiworld.org or staff@ifiworld.org.

 

About IFI

The International Federation of Interior Architects/Designers (IFI) is the global voice and authority for professional Interior Architects/Designers. It is the singular international federating body for Interior Architecture/Design organizations. IFI acts as a global forum for the exchange and development of knowledge and experience, in worldwide education, research and practice. IFI connects the international community to further the impact, influence and application of the design of interiors, promote global social responsibility, and raise the status of the profession worldwide.

Founded in 1963 as a not-for-profit to expand the international network of professional Interior Architects/Designers, IFI represents close to a quarter million designers, educators and industry stakeholders in the international design community on all continents, collectively representing practicing Interior Architects/Designers worldwide. For more information, visit ifiworld.org.

 

About IDAN

The Interior Design Association of Nigeria is a group of people — designers, industry representatives, — committed to interior design. Established to address the major problems that exist in the interior design industry in Nigeria, principally the absence of any:

  • Voluntary association to stimulate and promote professionalism in the practice
  • Legal regime, statute or regulation governing the interior design industry
  • Institution offering comprehensive professional training in interior design

Membership in IDAN indicates status as a qualified, experienced, ethical practicing professional in Interior Design in Nigeria. IDAN provides you with support, networking, services and information to improve your professional practice. It provides you with a wealth of contacts, and connects you with colleagues from many industry areas. IDAN strive to advance the interior design profession and, in the process, to demonstrate and celebrate the power of design to positively change people’s lives.