Cumulus has expanded and improved in status over the past decade leading it to become a successful international organization representing a global community of 360 first-class higher education institutions in 66 countries.
The Kyoto design declarations main aim is highlighted by their statement of commitment from the members of Cumulus, to act on being globally responsible for building sustainable, human-centered, creative societies.
The Kyoto Design Declaration suggests that it is important, globally, to maintain and continue local or traditional practices.
In co-operation with design thinking the importance of cultural traditional values are noted in order for their rejuvenation and focus.
The subheadings divide the declaration into categories for the designers and other professional businesses and institutional collaborations to follow and comprehend.
-Proposing new values and new ways of thinking -An era of human centered development -The imperative for designers to assume new roles -Seeking collaboration in forwarding the ideals of sustainable development -From education to global responsibility -The power to make fundamental improvements to our world When signed in 2008 in the same venue as Kyoto Protocoll in 2002 by the 124 global members of Cumulus including the executive Board of Cumulus, President Christian Guellerin, Past President Yrjö Sotamaa, Rector Kan Shimamoto, Kyoto Seika University, and Industrial Designer Takuo Hirano from Japan.
The University of Art and Design Helsinki (TAIK) pioneered in the development of the Kyoto declaration, committing to educate sustainable issues.
In order to create a successful global community the Mayor of Helsinki, (Jussi Pajunen) stated in his World Design Capital 2012 application that his city will use all means presented by design- in the spirit of the Kyoto Declaration.
Organizations such as ICSID who support the declaration are also involved in connecting memberships across the continents, leaving an impact on millions of designers throughout the world.