Dezeen promotion: Italian brand Alcantara hosted a series of discussions focussed on sustainability and climate change in collaboration with Connect4Climate and the World Bank in Milan last week.

Alcantara produce carbon-neutral materials that are used in the automotive, interior design and fashion industries, among others.

During Milan design week the brand organised a range of panel debates, titled Alcantara Dialogues - Connect4Climate: Re-Think, Re-Design, Re-new, with experts from sectors they work alongside.

The talks took place in a pavilion made from Alcantara materials, designed by the company's art director Giulio Cappellini and installed in the Temporary Museum for New Design at the Superstudio Più in Milan.

Discussions are available to watch on Alcantara's Youtube page. Visit their website for more information about the brand and Alcantara Dialogues.

Here's some more information from the brand:

The Alcantara Dialogues at the Milan Design Week explore the connection between sustainability and design, fashion, CSR and entertainment.

'We believe in the power of creativity to build a sustainable planet'. Andrea Boragno, Chairman and CEO of Alcantara.

Alcantara has confirmed its commitment to sustainability during the Milan Design Week 2013 by promoting, in partnership with Connect4Climate, a World Bank initiative on climate change, a project that aims to lift the lid on the issue of global warming: ‘Alcantara Dialogues/Connect4Climate: Re-Think, Re-Design, Re-new’.

From 9th to 12th April 2013, a series of discussions featuring top influencers from the worlds of design, architecture, fashion, corporate social responsibility, global advocacy, entertainment and the arts have examined how to shape the green policies of the future.

Hosted in one of Milan's most famous location, the Temporary Museum for New Design at the Superstudio Più, the dialogues have opened up new perspectives with fresh ideas from a crop of top international experts who've dedicated their work to develop frameworks of sustainable design. From the design to the fashion worlds, from the private sector to the entertainment industry, the panels have highlighted how new production and creativity are developing sustainable policies.

Panelists included: Corrado Clini, Italian Minister of the Environment; Cyril Muller, World Bank Vice President for External Affairs; Donald Ranvaud, International Film Producer; Renzo Rosso, OTB President; Franca Sozzani, Vogue Italia Editor-in-Chief; Betty Williams, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate; and Kenny Young, Grammy Award-winning Songwriter, Music Producer, and Artists Project Earth (APE) Founder, plus many more.

The four high-profile talks have taken place in a 300-square meter pavilion designed for the occasion by the architect and Alcantara Art Director Giulio Cappellini using Alcantara materials to create an innovative sensory experience. The space has also featured a C4C exhibition of user-generated climate stories and images from around the world. A fascinating and original journey that showcased, through the projection of the most significant sustainability projects of Alcantara around the world, the commitment of the Italian company in shaping a more sustainable world.

“We view sustainability as an opportunity, not a cost. Given our shared objectives and values, partnering with the World Bank's Connect4Climate is a natural step for Alcantara - not only because of our long-standing commitment to carbon neutrality, but also because of our desire to provide a platform for meaningful dialogues which will spur people to re-think, re-design, and re-new,” said Andrea Boragno, Alcantara’s CEO and Chairman.

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