Holland: Building Respect at the Design Academy of Eindhoven

In Holland, Nannet van der Kleijn was quick off the mark in initiating Living Values activities several years ago at Eindhoven's Design Academy.
Then, in September 1999, the new head of the Academy introduced, as compulsory for all 180 first year students, a new Living Values-based programme of classes she called 'Respect', because she saw that through these classes an attitude of respect is developed, both on a personal and a group level. The 12 classes per term are divided into 3 blocks of 4 classes with a focus on:

1. Respect for the students individually, enabling each one to develop his or herself as a unique personality;

2. Respect for the environment, making the students aware of what is happening around them and letting them be aware of their personal contributions based on a personal set of values; and

3. Respect for others and the world, which allows them to see the big picture and develop a broad vision connecting them to all levels of life and society.

The 12 classes start with the 12 LVE values to add content to the value of respect and to enable the students to familiarise themselves with their own intrinsic qualities, so that they can then be used as design tools.

All of this sets the tone for the designer of the future: a conscious, respectful, loving person, giving to the world.