Leading interior design professionals will converge in Dubai, UAE, next month, in support of Surge, an international organisation that funds sustainable safe water and sanitation projects.

Under the concept ‘Design, Dine, make a Difference’ (DDD) over 400 guests will attend its annual gala dinner at The Address Hotel, Dubai Marina, to support Surge’s global successes, in Cambodia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Philippines and Uganda.

Since it was founded, Surge has provided safe water access via sustainable solutions to over 350,000 people in 11 countries, however according to Marita Peters, the executive director, Surge Middle East, much more needs to be done.

“The facts are alarming - 2,300 people die every day because of inadequate drinking water and sanitation. Nearly 663 million people lack improved drinking water access and 2.4 billion lack improved sanitation services. By 2025 two-thirds of the world could live in areas of water stress, due to population growth and the changing climate,” remarked Peters.

The upcoming DDD is being used as the climax for a unique competition which this year challenges interior designers to create a sustainable bookcase, made primarily out of recycled materials.

The competition, which is free to enter, will see designers volunteer their own time and creativity and engage build partners to bring their creations to life.

Some of Dubai’s most celebrated creative designers have taken the bookcase design challenge, such as Allen Architecture Interiors Design, Arcology International, Art Plus 971, Bluehaus, Maja Kozel Design, Pallavi Dean Design, Perkins + Will and Tony Archibold.

Commenting on her involvement, award-winning designer Laila Al Yousuf, the senior interior designer at Perkins+Will, said: "I thought that instead of donating money or attending a networking event, it would resonate with my peers far more, if we had to donate what we value most about ourselves, our creativity."

DDD also enjoys industrywide backing, especially from leading companies such as KPS World; Hussain General Trading; Acoulite, Boss Design; Consort; Haworth; Heimtex; Interface; Kvadrat Soft Cells; Office Inspirations; Seekers Furnishing and The Total Office, to name but a few.

Stephen Lockey, the managing director, KPS World, said the event reminds the whole industry to focus on CSR (corporate social responsibility) especially at a time when for many, their attention maybe turned towards the potential overindulgence of Christmas and the New Year celebrations.

"From a personal and professional perspective, it's an honour to support 'Design, Dine, make a Difference'. As a company, we have placed an emphasis on developing both philanthropy and sustainability and we wanted to partner with an organisation like Surge which embodies these values in their mission," stated Lockey.

“It's also a privilege to be part of such a meaningful event that is now a fundamental part of the interior design industry and has become a fixture on its social calendar,” he added.

The Master of Ceremonies is multi award-wining Dubai-based Palestinian actor and writer Dana Dajani, who was honoured earlier this year as Emirates Woman "Artist of the Year" 2016.-TradeArabia News Service