Lab members attend Design for Freedom Summit

 

Third Annual Design for Freedom Summit at Grace Farms

Prof. Billington and Antonio participated in the 3rd Annual Design for Freedom Summit held at Grace Farms in Connecticut on March 25, 2024. The summit included experts from a wide array of fields, all of whom are working to remove forced and child labor from the built environment, including from building material supply chains.

Prof. Billington joined a panel in a breakout session titled “University Forum” where four faculty shared their work in the classroom, research, and outreach related to the Design for Freedom Movement. The faculty represented departments of architecture, engineering, and business.

Two highlights of the day were keynote talks delivered by humanitarian photographer & activist Lisa Kristine and modern slavery survivor and founder of the Empowerment Collective Foundation Nasreen Sheikh.

“While the issue is complex, the range of new supply chain tracking tools, economic strategies, pilot projects, and survivor stories shared demonstrate that there is a path forward!”

- Antonio

 
Conference, PresentationSarah BillingtonBuilding for wellbeing, Sarah Billington, Billington Lab, Sustainability, ethical supply chains, Antonio Torres Skillicorn, cement-based materials