The Redesign:  sustainability in new British design exhibition and design lecture came at a time when concern for Thailand's environment and the country's obligations under international environmental conventions continues to grow.

In 1997, the government of Thailand extended its environmental commitments and announced a 20-year policy and perspective plan for the environment. However, hungry for new investment, Thailand faces the dilemma of rebuilding its industrial economy, while at the same time making improvements in its environmental quality. It is felt to be critical that Bangkok, the economic backbone of Thailand, take the lead in this effort to restructure its former pattern of economic development and its heavy impact on the country's natural resources.

As part of the design activities planned around Redesign exhibition Beatrice Otto will give a lecture on design for sustainable business on the 6th September and will lead a workshop for graduate design students on the 7th September.

Beatrice Otto is a freelance consultant who specialises in developing ways for business and sustainability to work together profitably. She is currently conducting an international scoping study of Design for Sustainability for the Design Council and conceived and is now implementing the Sustainable Strategies initiative for the Design Council, with support from the CBI and Envirowise.

Beatrice’s talk takes place during National Science week in Thailand, an annual event organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment. This year's theme is Science and Technology for Thai economy and society. The audience will be a combination of business people, representatives of government environmental and science policy groups, students and tutors.

Redesign will be shown at the National Science Museum, Bangkok from 11 July - 10 August; during National Science Week, 17-25 August and then at the Chulalonqkorn Universiy Gallery from 25 September – 13 October.

Project manager Sorrel Hershberg