On June 3rd, the Cumulus Association — a key partner of the Pan Afrikan Design Institute (PADI) — marked its 35th anniversary in Nantes, France, under the theme “Ethical Leadership: A New Frontier for Design.” The event brought together over 500 participants from more than 70 countries, reflecting the global reach and influence of the Cumulus network.

A highlight of the celebration was a special session featuring PADI President, Mr. Felix Dartey, who attended in person alongside Monica Di Ruvo — an active member of both PADI and the Cumulus network. Mr. Dartey shared insights from his ongoing work with design educators across Africa through PADI’s initiatives and invited participants to reflect on the revised Design Declaration, a key item on PADI’s current agenda.

In a follow-up message to PADI members via WhatsApp, Mr. Dartey encouraged educational institutions within the network — especially design schools — to engage more actively with Cumulus and to take part in the upcoming Cumulus conference scheduled for November 26–28, 2025, in South Africa.

He noted:

“Colleagues, at the recently concluded Cumulus Spring Conference in Nantes, France, the major theme of discussion was: ‘How do we, as designers, prepare for leadership roles — and how do we prepare our students for them as well?’ Monica and I discussed how industrial attachments for students could be tailored to address these important questions.”

About Cumulus:
Cumulus is the leading global association for art and design education and research. With 395 member institutions across 71 countries, it provides a vital platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and best practices, while championing the role of design and art in shaping sustainable and humane futures.

More details about the Nantes 2025 event can be found at cumulusnantes2025.design, and general information is available on the Cumulus website.