On January 10, 2026, the warmth within the National People's Congress Conference Center not only dispelled the winter chill but also illuminated a cultural pathway connecting the past and the future.

This day marked not just the birth of an educational institution—the formal establishment of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) College under Beijing Oriental Senior Research Institute—but also the beginning of a nationwide reflection and practice on "how to keep millennia-old intangible heritage alive today." As over a hundred distinguished guests from politics, academia, business, and the arts jointly unveiled the initiative to compile the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Yearbook, a solemn "Heritage Continuity Plan" crucial to preserving the roots of Chinese culture set sail.

Over 100 leaders and guests from the political, academic, public welfare, business, and intangible cultural heritage sectors attended the launch ceremony.

At this grand event, Oskar Ho, founder of the IAI Global Design Awards and chairman of the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation, delivered a speech that painted an especially exciting vision for the future of ICH—design empowerment. This was not merely an address but a strategic blueprint and heartfelt invitation for the future.

Speech by Chairman Oskar Ho at the Founding Ceremony of the Intangible Cultural Heritage College of Beijing Oriental Senior Studies Institute, the Establishment of the Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience Center, and the Launch of the Compilation of the "China Intangible Cultural Heritage Yearbook"

I. Foundation: Why "Silver-Haired Power" and a "Systematic Project"?

In today’s rapidly evolving society, ICH transmission often faces the dilemma of "skills lost with the passing of practitioners." The innovative approach of Beijing Oriental Senior Research Institute has identified two pivotal solutions:

1."Silver-Haired Power" – The Fertile Soil for Transmission: The institute recognizes that the elderly, with their rich life experiences and time-honed wisdom, are invaluable resources for ICH transmission. They are not just learners but also patient, skilled, and culturally attuned "new transmitters and creators." Making ICH a stage for them to "find purpose and joy in their later years" is a brilliant solution to bridging the generational gap in heritage transmission.

2."Systematic Project" – The Foundation from Preservation to Innovation: The establishment of the college, the creation of an exhibition center, and the compilation of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Yearbookform a closed-loop system of "research-education-display-archiving." This marks a shift from fragmented "project-based rescue efforts" to a structured, academic "century-long cultivation of roots." As former Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Li Shaoqing noted, this nurtures fertile ground for the "living transmission and industrial support" of ICH.

Yu Guang, Vice President of MCM International Design Group, shared practical experiences on how enterprises can contribute to the inheritance of intangible cultural heritage.

II. Bridge: Design as the Transformer Linking "Tradition" and "Future"

With a solid foundation for transmission in place, how can profound cultural heritage be revitalized for contemporary life and shared with the world? Chairman Oskar Ho clearly pointed the way in his speech: design is the critical bridge.

Drawing on global design trends, he highlighted China’s ICH as an "inexhaustible source of inspiration and a unique aesthetic language" for global creativity. The role of design goes beyond superficial packaging—it involves deep "transformation" and "translation":

Transforming into Contemporary Lifestyle Aesthetics: Through product and spatial design, ICH techniques and patterns can be integrated into everyday objects and living spaces, making them part of modern, experiential, and consumable lifestyles.

Transforming into Brand Narratives: Through visual and brand design, ICH projects and practitioners can craft compelling contemporary identities and stories, enhancing their market value and cultural recognition.

Transforming into International Communication Symbols: Using universal aesthetic language, design can transcend cultural barriers, allowing ICH stories imbued with Eastern wisdom to resonate and be appreciated on the global stage.

Xie Piao, Honorary Chairman of the Wang Dingguo Public Welfare Foundation, shared the cultural perseverance of the older generation.

III. Blueprint: IAI’s Four Action Initiatives and a Twenty-Year Vision

Building on this, Chairman Oskar Ho, representing the IAI Global Design Awards and the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation, proposed concrete and systematic collaboration ideas—not just plans but a clear roadmap for action:

1.Global Competition Category: Co-create a special "ICH Innovation Design" category within the prestigious IAI Global Design Awards, inviting global designers to submit outstanding works inspired by China’s ICH, setting industry benchmarks.

2.Education and Practice Collaboration: Jointly develop themed workshops and courses for design institutions worldwide, fostering deep dialogue and co-creation between heritage practitioners, designers, and students.

3.International Residency Program: Leverage IAI’s global network to launch an "ICH International Residency Program," inviting top designers to immerse themselves in ICH origins for cross-disciplinary creation.

4.Industry Connection Platform: Build bridges to connect outstanding ICH-inspired designs with industrial resources, cultural tourism projects, and international markets, turning creativity into tangible productivity.

Notably, Oskar Ho linked this blueprint to IAI’s upcoming 20th anniversary in 2026. He extended a sincere invitation: to make this collaborative exploration with the ICH College and partners the most culturally significant gift for "IAI’s Two Decades." This heralds a nearly two-year, results-driven partnership, aiming to showcase the dazzling achievements of "Chinese Design + Chinese ICH" fusion to the world by 2026.

Li Shaoqing, former Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice President of the China Poetry, Calligraphy and Painting Research Association, and President of the Li Feng Calligraphy Art Research Committee, delivered a speech.

Conclusion: A Collaborative Journey Begins Now

The ceremony at the National People’s Congress Conference Center concluded amid a heartwarming scene of "silver-haired wisdom and starlight," but a grander prologue is unfolding. It calls on all who care about the future of culture—whether master practitioners, innovative designers, market-savvy entrepreneurs, or passionate researchers and advocates—to join this transformative endeavor.

The IAI Global Design Awards and the Asia-Pacific Designers Federation extend not just an olive branch of collaboration but a torch to ignite innovation. Let us respond to this call, using design as the medium and innovation as the sail, ensuring that precious ICH not only "survives" but thrives and shines, confidently navigating the vast ocean of world civilization.

This is not just about preservation—it’s about how we define the beauty of China for the next era.