The exhibition for Shenzhen Design Award for Young Talents (SZDAY) is entitled “Recovery: the Power of Design”, consisting of over 40 design works by designers under age of 35 from around the world.

Minister-Counselor Li Jianmin from Chinese Mission to EU, Jean-Francois Aguinaga, head of the unit in charge of creative industries at the European Commission, Philippe Close, Alderman for Tourism, Staff and Finance for the City of Brussels and President of MAD Brussels, together with other guests attended the opening reception in the evening of 14^th of October at MAD in Situ. The event was the opportunity to gather representatives of European institutions, public authorities from throughout Europe as well as design associations.

In association and cooperation with the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (CCN), SZDAY is co-organized by Shenzhen City of Design Promoting Office and Shenzhen Creative Culture Center. It is the first time the event has been organized outside Greater China. It aims at rewarding young and talented designers in creative cities around the world.

The award encouraged participants to submit works that have contributed to the enhancement of environmental sustainability, social and economic development and, above all, quality of life in cities.

60 entrants, including professionals and students from 16 creative cities such as Berlin, Saint-Etienne, Montreal, Bologna, Dublin, have entered the final judging process with more than 150 pieces of work.

Designated City of Design by UNESCO in 2008, Shenzhen is a young city with 14 million inhabitants. It is the 4^th largest city in China. It has over 6,000 companies and 100,000 people are working in the field of design.

“Having an exhibition like this in “the Capital of Europe” is a way to enhance exchange and cooperation between EU and China in the field of the creative economy”, says Ting Xu, the director of Shenzhen Creative Culture Center, the organizer of SZDAY.

Next year celebrates the 40^th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relationship. As both sides are developing policies to support the development of culture and creative industries more exchange and cooperative projects are expected.

“There are plenty of rooms for both parties to enhance cultural exchanges and cooperation”, says Counselor Li at the reception.

“With this social innovation and design research lab – MAD IN SITU – we hope to open up new areas of action and new lines of inquiry for society’s needs. We wish to be able to show in practice and on the ground how far design can offer brand new ways of looking at projects for society and for the future of the community” added Alexandra Lambert, director of MAD Brussels.

Free to the public, the exhibition will last until 30^th of October. Place: 4 rue du Vautour, 1000 Brussels.