A range of talks and videos that explore the role of design in addressing global migration and displacement are among the events taking place today as part of IKEA Festival, which Dezeen is partnering with during Milan design week.

IKEA Festival is currently taking place in Milan and includes the Swedish brand's latest collaboration and product news in addition to a range of design talks and exhibitions.

Today at the festival the brand is handing the stage over to IKEA Foundation and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to host a range of documentaries and talks.

In one talk, the mayors of Milan and Freetown, Sierra Leone will discuss a collaborative project that aims to develop connections between creatives in the fashion industry.

Find out about the full programme here and read on for some highlights from today's programme.

Concepts of Home by Emtithal Mahmoud
Screenings throughout the day

Poet and activist Emtithal Mahmoud has created a short film called Concepts of Home, which will be played on a cinema screen throughout the day. The film highlights the "challenges and triumphs that forcibly displaced and stateless people experience every day in their quest to rebuild their lives".

Mahmoud worked with 10 individuals to produce the film, which showcases their interpretations of the word "home" and experiences of rebuilding their lives and environments.

The project is a collaboration between Mahmoud, the IKEA Foundation and UNHCR's Journalist Mentorship Programme, which supports displaced people and provides training in journalism and advocacy.

Data and design – making stories visible
13:00 Milan time

Visual and information designer Federica Fragapane will be in discussion with Phaidon publisher Emilia Terragni to examine the relationship between data, information, design and people in order "to communicate stories of migration and the contribution of migrants and refugees to societies".

Unfreedom of Movement
14:30 Milan time

By Sierra Leonian and British artist Julian Knxx, Unfreedom of Movement is a documentary produced in partnership with the fashion brand Labrum and non-profit organisation ODI, which will be screened during the festival.

Cities of growth and solidarity
14:40 Milan time

Mayor Sala of Milan and mayor Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown, Sierra Leone, will discuss their collaborative project to create skills and jobs for designers and textile manufacturers in Milan and Freetown.

The project aims to weave "new connections between creative minds and entrepreneurs in the fashion industry across continents".

Evening performance by Jyoty
19:30 Milan time

The day at IKEA Festival will be concluded with an evening performance by London-based singer Jyoty.

IKEA Festival takes place from 6 to 12 June 2022 at BASE, Via Bergognone 34, 20144 Milan, as part of Milan design week 2022. See our Milan design week 2022 guide on Dezeen Events Guide for information about the many other exhibitions, installations and talks taking place throughout the week.

Dezeen x IKEA Festival

This article was written by Dezeen for IKEA as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.