The event “RE-DESIGNING: Policies, Spaces and Values” was held at the OECD headquarters in Paris. It was organized by the Permanent Representation of Italy as part of the 10th Italian Design Day in the World, an initiative promoted throughout the diplomatic and consular network by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture.
The event brought together institutional representatives, OECD experts, businesses, and key players in Italian design, with the aim of highlighting the contribution of design as a strategic lever for sustainability, innovation, and competitiveness—areas central to the work of the Paris-based organization and in which Italy boasts internationally recognized expertise and excellence. In his opening remarks, Ambassador Luca Sabbatucci, Permanent Representative of Italy, highlighted how design is a distinctive element of the country system, capable of combining manufacturing excellence, design culture, and international reach.
During the debate, moderated by Elena Dell’Orso of AD Italia, speakers included Laura Maeran, Coordinator of International Exhibitions at Triennale Milano, Domenico Bonaventura Cerqua, Head of the Riflessi Milan Showroom, and Matteo Martini, Head of European Sales at Dedar, who shared experiences and best practices on the role of design in creating sustainable, durable, and high-value products. Lucia Cusmano and Oriana Romano, from the OECD Center for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions, and Cities, illustrated design’s contribution to circular economy policies and the development of SMEs, emphasizing the role of design in reducing environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle of products.
The debate highlighted how Italian design stands out for its ability to integrate artisanal savoir-faire, industrial innovation, and aesthetic quality, establishing itself as a competitive lever in global markets. The centrality of durability and extending product lifecycles, key elements for a sustainable transition, was also highlighted, as was the contribution of the ITA Agency to the international promotion of Italian design.
