Design 21: Social Design Network

We are expanding our global presence. Start a concert in your own city! All you need is love of music and willingness to share and use it for the greater good. Visit our website and find out how.

I had a chance to participate in DESIGNWEEK MONTERREY in Monterrey, Mexico last month, as one of the speakers, representing DESIGN21: Social Design Network.

The event, in its 5th year, was extremely well-organized, and was bursting of energy and enthusiasm. If you are not yet aware of DESIGNWEEK MONTERREY, you'd better pay attention because it'll be a matter of time before they become one of the most exciting international design events.

The organizer, CEDIM, a fast-growing design school in this northern city in Mexico, is led by a dynamic young fellow named Michael Garcia Novak. Since becoming its CEO in 2002 at the age of 27, he has not only created the ambitious and increasingly more successful DESIGNWEEK MONTERREY, but has grown the 500-student school which was founded by his father to a 1000-student institution with new degree programs being added every year. Their new campus is a stunning piece of architecture symbolizing their vision and pride.

Michael is a soft-spoken person who doesn't need to say a lot because his intense eyes and his actions speak volumes. He is obviously one of those rare persons who possess both brilliant business sense and artistic mind. But what makes him even more special is the depth of his insight and the scale of his foresight. He is on a mission to turn "CEDIM into the strongest academic Art and Design institution of Latin America and a center for design innovation and business," and he understands that the fastest way ...

As Leonard Bernstein said, music is our answer to violence. Join us this September 11th! Anyone can participate - by organizing a concert in your neighborhood, by offering a venue, or playing music. Find out how at <www.septemberconcert.org> This is a global day of music for peace.