Embassy of Inclusive Society

Over the past seven years, Dutch Design Foundation brought together designers, governments, businesses and knowledge institutions through the World Design Embassies programme to shape a more sustainable and socially inclusive future. Each Embassy focused on a specific societal theme – ranging from health and mobility to food and safety – using design as a tool to explore new perspectives and shape meaningful transitions. World Design Embassies provided space for research, experimentation and connection. Take a look below at 4 years of the Embassy of Inclusive Society

The Embassy of Inclusive Society explores how design can contribute to a society where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Rather than treating inclusivity as a checklist item, the Embassy approaches it as a continuous process of learning and unlearning, inviting individuals and communities to engage in ongoing reflection and growth.

Initiating conversations through design

In its inaugural year at Dutch Design Week 2021, the Embassy posed the question: How can designers contribute to a society in which everyone feels seen and represented? The exhibition featured a diverse collection of design projects addressing themes such as cultural diversity, gender, sexuality, and physical ability. A notable feature was the “Social Hair Salon,” where hairdressers from various backgrounds engaged visitors in conversations about inclusion and diversity, using the intimate setting of a salon to foster dialogue.

Practicing inclusion in spatial design

In 2022, the Embassy collaborated with the Van Abbemuseum to integrate inclusive design principles into the museum’s spatial layout. The exhibition emphasised the importance of designing environments that accommodate diverse needs and experiences. Projects like “Haptic Room Studies” explored sensory translations of art, making visual and performance art accessible through tactile experiences. Additionally, the “How to Tell a Herstory” platform provided migrant women a space to share their narratives, reflecting on gender, migration, and family structures through personal photographs. 

Inclusion as continuous practice

During Dutch Design Week 2023, the Embassy presented “The Gym,” a spatial experiment designed by Gabriel Fontana. This installation invited visitors to engage in exercises that challenged social norms and encouraged new ways of thinking about inclusion. Complementing this was the “Lorem Ipsum” installation, which visualised guidelines for inclusive and accessible design presentations, serving as a practical tool for designers and institutions aiming to implement inclusive practices.

Embedding inclusivity in design processes

In 2024, the Embassy focused on transforming isolated inclusive initiatives into sustained practices. By participating in the “Designing Society” exposition at Dutch Design Week, the Embassy highlighted the importance of integrating inclusivity into every stage of the design process. Through workshops, conferences, and collaborative projects, it emphasised that inclusivity requires ongoing commitment, adaptability, and the willingness to question existing norms and structures.

Since 2025, the World Design Embassies programme has come to a close. Dutch Design Foundation is building on its legacy with Coalitions: a new platform and structural approach that connects creative thinkers and makers with the momentum of science, organisations and government. Coalitions harness the power of design to address societal challenges and accelerate change towards a more sustainable and inclusive society.