Architecture by its nature engages global politics in order to realize the buildings, infrastructures, and public spaces that transform our urban environment. In the day-to-day conventions of practice, this engagement is both highly structured, as with zoning or regulatory changes, and more informal in public consensus-building around advancing projects. However, there are also a broad range of ways in which design practices directly participate in advocacy to design and actualize innovative solutions across issues, including: providing affordable places to live, creating inclusive public spaces, shaping safer and healthier environments, conserving and reusing historic structures, and seeking race and gender parity. To effect change in these areas, practices advocate using innovative tools as well, participating more directly in fabrication and construction, publishing and disseminating ideas independently, teaching in new ways, and using online social networks for organization and direct action. This year, AIA Global Dialogues looks at how architects and designers are taking action, and how this action is positively expanding our understanding of the space of design practice.