December Greetings from IFLA President Bruno Marques

Greetings from IFLA President Bruno Marques
 
Kia ora koutou
Greetings everyone
 
And just like that, we are approaching the end of the year. It’s a time to reflect on what we have accomplished thus far in a year where we transitioned from the global pandemic to a ‘new normal’, where we learned how to live with COVID-19.
 
Since my last report, IFLA has been progressing steadily. I’m happy to inform you that Jala Makhzoumi is the acting president for the IFLA Middle East region. We’re so thrilled for Jala to join the ExCo so that together we can provide the right support for this new and growing region of IFLA. I’m also very happy to report that Graham Young, president of IFLA Africa, has accepted the invitation of the ExCo to take the role of IFLA Vice President. According to our bylaws, one of the regional presidents shall hold the IFLA Vice President’s role, which shall be rotated every twelve months between the regional Presidents. Congratulations to you both!
 
I’ve been catching up with the IFLA delegates. So far, 15 delegates have booked a time with me. The conversations have been very inspiring, particularly to know about the success stories of each member association and the current challenges faced. We also have brainstormed on how IFLA can assist at a local level. This information will be incredibly valuable as we revise our business plan for the coming years. If you haven’t booked a time yet, please do so here. Your contribution to this discussion is very important to shape the federation’s future.
 
As we look to next year, I’m happy to inform you that our congress team is moving along at full throttle. The congress website has been relaunched, and so have the Facebook and Instagram channels. Please follow those if you haven’t yet. It will be a magnificent event, but its success will depend on all of us. So please help the congress team promote the event regionally and locally. It’s also the time to reach out to your contacts and assist them in finding sponsors and partners.
 
Concerning partnerships, we are working with UN-Habitat in light of next year’s IFLA World Council and Congress. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the UN-Habitat promotes socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. We hope to have the 2023 IFLA World Council at the UN-Habitat headquarters.
 
In addition, I’m happy to report that IFLA has been working closely with the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH) in a joint MoU. The ISUH is the only global non-governmental organisation focusing exclusively on the broad determinants of urban health. ISUH understands that the health challenges in urban environments are complex and require interdisciplinary collaboration among various stakeholders: researchers, educators, policymakers, practitioners, community leaders, and urban health advocates, among others. This will allow IFLA to be an active partner in promoting the importance of landscape architecture in urban environments.
 
And finally, the IFLA 75 Diamond Jubilee Anniversary working group is now off the ground. Led by Steffi Schüppel and with members from all IFLA regions, this working group aims to generate and execute ideas to promote the profession and the future of landscape architecture internationally, regionally and locally throughout 2023. If you have any suggestions, please send them directly to the IFLA Secretariat.
 
As we approach the festivities season, I wish you happy holidays!
Season’s greetings, everyone! Wishing you a successful 2023.
 
Dr Bruno Marques
IFLA President