A community by trade

We commence our project at a time when process structures and institution (not in the sense of an establishment, but again a process) building processes have already faced a great degree of criticism; whether in corporate or in the public institutions, the end results seem to be far less than what is needed to create a visible impact. The concerns are to link all the different human dimensions and multiplying perspectives with increased Globalization, emerging economy and various socio-cultural crises. It is our convenience to build sectoral and interest focused processes tackling specifics of development issues; it is imperative to look at the possibility of processes that could address sustainable development in broader terms. Networking and collaboration, consortium and community based approaches and similar initiatives are thought to be the possible answers. But such new approaches need new design, structures, learning, delivery and management mechanisms, frameworks and policies; the current processes seem to be falling short and needs to be reoriented and restructured.

It is essential that in such broad based, multiple perspective approaches are led by processes that are designed to create communities, new environments encouraging systemic deign thinking and implementation and with primary focus in designing to instigate education (broad based, an integral of formal, non-formal and informal education) as it is the single thread that connects all the human dimensions. Having said that it is also needs to be pointed out that in the current scenario and understanding of design the envisaged result of a “networked society” is difficult to achieve. It would be essential that we develop respect for design that is beyond the current understanding and pivoted around two very important concepts of “User” and “Quality”. Many times we talk about designing environments as the main task for broad-based, systemic and sustainable development of human society; to do so community design efforts need to be emphasized and worked upon. Usage of technology needs to be contextual and appropriate, which needs innovation ecology with multi-perspective approach.

The idea of taking a community trade is to understand how collective efforts, with a suitable business model could lead to betterment of human environments. Core of the project lies in appreciating a specific econom8ic activity that sustains itself by the virtue of the collective drive and understand design intervention in all three required levels of improving learning, productivity, produce and prducts as well as services.