Stone-Ideas.com 
The International Council of Societies of Industrial design (ICSID) is a global non-profit-organisation dedicated to better design. The council presently counts 150 members from over 50 countries and represents 150,000 product designers. On the occasion of a planned international organisation for the natural stone sector, Peter Becker from Stone-Ideas.com spoke with Professor Dr. Peter Zec, former ICSID-president. Zec is German and the founding father of the Red Dot Design award.
Stone-Ideas.com: ICSID only accepts organisations as members. Why not individuals or companies?
Peter Zec: In the case of companies or individuals, special interests would play way too great a role. ICSID is concerned with the common interest of the branch. By allowing organisations as members the contributions are the filtered result of the consensus reached by an entire group.
Stone-Ideas.com: Which exceptions do you allow?
Peter Zec: There are particularly prominent individuals no-longer active in national organisations. We are interested in their contributions because they enjoyed great success with their work. So such companies are welcome to apply for membership as well. The board, that is the directors, will then discuss on membership and the general assembly takes the decision.
Stone-Ideas.com: Isn’t a global organisation in danger of hovering way above the interests of its members?
Peter Zec: This danger can be quashed by means of a democratic decision-making process transparent to all members. Before a meeting of ICSID, members are informed of the themes at hand in a newsletter, so that amendments are still possible before the meeting takes place. After the meeting, the minutes are sent to the members including all resolutions.
Stone-Ideas.com: Who does the work?
Peter Zec: Our office that is situated in Montreal. We have a CEO who prepares the resolutions and is responsible for their implementation. The CEO must have a high diplomatic coefficient because many cultures meet head-on. Our CEO is a woman, she is Canadian with Asian origin. It is her merit that members of very different backgrounds and economic strength interact respectfully with one another.
Stone-Ideas.com: How often does ICSID meet?
Peter Zec: The board meets for times per year, always in different cities.
Stone-Ideas.com: Who pays that?
Peter Zec: All work is done pro bono except for that of the CEO. Calculate 30,000 up to 40,000 Euro travelling expenses per member during the two-year incumbency. That is paid by the board members themselves. The time consumption is about one month a year.
Stone-Ideas.com: Why would anyone take on such a load?
Peter Zec: You can help shape the future of the branch. Also you gain prominence with your company and an increase in credibility and visibility.
Stone-Ideas.com: What about the General assembly?
Peter Zec: It takes place every two years for the duration of one week. The meeting is completed by a congress during which members exchange ideas. A kind of think-tank.
Stone-Ideas.com: The general assembly always takes place in a different place, right?
Peter Zec: Yes, that has to be so especially in the early stages of a global organisation. Not only so that the congress takes place in the members’ own countries every now and then. There are financial perks too: When the organiser expounds on the international character politicians gladly come to hold a speech and have press photos taken. That’s how financial support can be realised.