The 2008 Design Science/Global Solutions Lab is sponsored, produced, and directed by BigPictureSmallWorld and Global Education Motivators.

BigPictureSmallWorld Inc.

Is dedicated to providing quality educational, training, and consulting programs that inform, inspire and empower. It works with schools, colleges, corporations, and organizations around the world. Its mission is to provide perspective and critical thinking that turns information overload into sensible knowledge that leads to effective action. More specifically, it seek to motivate and excite students, executives, and others about the wonders and challenges of the global predicament and how we can participate in shaping the world to match our values. It use workshops, simulations, games, web movies, lectures, assemblies, teacher development, consulting, books, and curriculum materials toward this purpose. BigPictureSmallWorld is located in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area of the United States and was founded by Medard Gabel.

GEM—Global Education Motivators

is dedicated to meeting the complex needs of bringing the world into the classroom. It has worked with students, teachers and administrators through on-site and distance learning workshops and classroom program support to promote a better understanding of the world and its people. Being convinced that international communication exchange is a key to future world peace, GEM delivers cross-cultural perspectives as an integral part of its unique global learning programs. An integral part of GEM's mission is to support the work and mission of the United Nations and the important role of civil society in today's world. It is convinced that global awareness is closely tied to global responsibility. GEM is located at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and was co-founded by Wayne Jacoby.

“The best way to understand a system is to understand the system it fits into.”

—Howard Odum