The UNIDO Global Call is a flagship initiative of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) that promotes global technological cooperation. It aims to address climate change, support post-pandemic economic recovery, and drive green industrial transformation in pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2020, it was awarded the United Nations Innovation Award.

To date, five editions of the Global Call have been held under the leadership of UNIDO’s global network of Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs), including those in Italy, Germany, Shanghai, Beijing, and the Republic of Korea. These events have attracted more than 2,200 technological solutions from 110 countries across five continents. The initiative has selected highly innovative and scalable solutions from around the world, providing exemplary models and successful cases for sustainable development, and has had a significant global impact in the field of sustainable technological application.

As a knowledge partner of the “UNIDO Global Call 2025 Project Docking in China,” SCF will leverage its strengths in sustainable fashion, interdisciplinary design, and industry-education integration to promote original Chinese design and sustainable brands on the global stage. Focusing on green material applications, digital product co-creation, and low-carbon fashion communication, the college aims to contribute Chinese creativity and Shanghai wisdom to the global green and low-carbon transition.

Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation, Donghua University–University of Edinburgh Joint Institute (SCF) was established in 2014 as a Sino-foreign cooperative education institution approved by China’s Ministry of Education. Co-founded by Donghua University and the University of Edinburgh, SCF integrates a China-rooted and globally-oriented approach, adopting the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) model and a project-based, research-driven teaching system. With a focus on the sustainable development of the international fashion industry, the college cultivates T-shaped fashion innovation talents equipped with interdisciplinary capabilities in design, technology, marketing, and communication.

Centering on fashion and creative disciplines, SCF collaborates with partners such as the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), The Woolmark —— Comany and Tmall Innovation Center (TMIC), to build multiple platforms for industry-education integration. These include initiatives in digital co-creation, sustainable community development, and the promotion of innovative materials. With a —— comprehensive “industry-academia-research” talent development system, SCF’s outcomes have been showcased at international and national reknowed platform such as Edinburgh Art Festival, China International Import Expo(CIIE),World Design Capital Conference(WDCC) and successfully commercialized, positioning the college as a key force in Shanghai’s development as a “City of Design” and “City of Fashion.”

The college has joined hands with internationally renowned fashion brands such as Burberry and Coach to launch industry-education integration projects focusing on design for longevity and sustainable design. These projects involve innovative——deconstruction of product materials and incorporate circular concepts into creative practices through insights into local culture and current lifestyles, exploring innovative solutions for sustainable design. It has also collaborated with the World Wide Fund for Nature on projects such as research on the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for the fashion industry, the revitalization of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems and the construction of sustainable fashion communities, and research on sustainable fashion materials.

With the vision of inspiring sustainable —— creativity, UNIDO Global Call 2025 has been launched by the Bahrain ITPO, with support from UNIDO headquarters and ten ITPOs worldwide. The theme for this year is “Orange Economy, Creative Future” , focusing on the promotion of innovation, creativity, and sustainability in the creative industries. The Call will concentrate on three major areas: eco-friendly production, digital innovation, and cultural heritage and trade. A special award category for young students has also been introduced.

Notably, the UNIDO Global Call 2025 Project Docking in China, held annually by the Shanghai ITPO, has become an excellent platform for Chinese enterprises to cooperate internationally. Technologies and solutions recommended by the Shanghai ITPO have won the Global Call's top global awards for five consecutive years. These achievements would not have been possible without the strong support of many partners. This year, Shanghai ITPO will again support Bahrain ITPO in hosting Global Call 2025 with industrial, innovation, knowledge and policy partners.This year, Shanghai ITPO will again join partners to support Bahrain ITPO hosting the Global Call 2025.

The Shanghai International College of Fashion and Innovation, Donghua University–University of Edinburgh Joint Institute (SCF) was established in 2014 as a Sino-foreign cooperative education institution approved by China’s Ministry of Education. Co-founded by Donghua University and the University of Edinburgh, SCF integrates a China-rooted and globally-oriented approach, adopting the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) model and a project-based, research-driven teaching system. With a focus on the sustainable development of the international fashion industry, the college cultivates T-shaped fashion innovation talents equipped with interdisciplinary capabilities in design, technology, marketing, and communication.

Centering on fashion and creative disciplines, SCF collaborates with partners such as Tmall Innovation Center (TMIC), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and The Woolmark Company to build multiple platforms for industry-education integration. These include initiatives in digital co-creation, sustainable community development, and the promotion of innovative materials. With a comprehensive “industry-academia-research” talent development system, SCF’s outcomes have been showcased at international expos and successfully commercialized, positioning the college as a key force in Shanghai’s development as a “City of Design” and “City of Fashion.”

As a knowledge partner of the “UNIDO Global Call 2025 Project Docking in China,” SCF will leverage its strengths in sustainable fashion, interdisciplinary design, and industry-education integration to promote original Chinese design and sustainable brands on the global stage. Focusing on green material applications, digital product co-creation, and low-carbon fashion communication, the college aims to contribute Chinese creativity and Shanghai wisdom to the global green and low-carbon transition.

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