Dubai Design Week’s talks programme this year provides a hybrid format of virtual and on-site talks aiming at engaging its varied audiences of different creative backgrounds in knowledge-exchange and critical discussions throughout the festival.

With the impact of unexpected global turn of events, that have disrupted industries, economies and societies across the world, Dubai Design Week’s 2020 talks programme focuses its discussions around a central theme that will ask the creative community in and around the UAE whether it is time to ‘Resist change, adapt to it or re-invent existing models?’.

The new-found difficulties in forecasting and anticipating the future while navigating long-term business plans in both public and private sectors will be explored and addressed.

The platform will investigate different scenarios and approaches that are more tailored and responsive in the given circumstances with an attempt to shed light on the alternative emerging structures and solutions that are proving more efficient and effective, that designers and creatives can adapt and learn from, navigating new realities.

Expert speakers with strong backgrounds in speculative and anticipatory approaches blended with field experience will be invited to converse with local creatives and stakeholders, presenting concrete possibilities and solutions.