The second edition of Gentler Futures envisions design as a form of advocacy for Nature itself—a way to work with (and for) natural ecosystems, rather than simply drawing from them.

Honouring the countless other beings that have lived and adapted long before us, designers, architects, researchers, and policymakers are invited to listen, learn, and find inspiration in their intelligence and wisdom.

From designing for non-human species and co-creating with Nature, to embracing indigenous knowledge and spiritual ecology, this year's theme poses an essential question: how can design go beyond minimising harm to become a true gift back to the Earth?