Reflections on the 59th IFLA World Council and Congress from IFLA President Bruno Marques
Reflections on the 59th IFLA World Council and Congress from IFLA President Bruno Marques
Greetings,
And four weeks have passed since we met in Nairobi, Stockholm or online. It was great to see old friends and make new ones. It was equally exciting to see the energy and dedication of our member associations, The Architecture Association of Kenya and Swedish Architects, in putting together the first-ever bilateral congress in IFLA’s history.
As we resume our lives, I’d like us to reflect on the accomplishments of the last council.
Over two days, we witnessed the power of collective action and the strength of our global community of landscape architects. It was a testament to our commitment to enhancing the profession, addressing global challenges, and fostering innovation.
We were delighted to welcome the Egyptian Society of Landscape Architects (ESLA) and the Saudi Society of Landscape Architects (SSLA) to the IFLA family and our new individual members. We are now 80 member associations representing more than 70,000 landscape architects worldwide. We were equally excited to welcome our long-lasting partner as the first Category D Corporate member of IFLA – the Council of Landscape Architecture Registration Boards (CLARB). Adding these organisations and individuals to our global network reinforces the diversity and richness of our community. Together, we will strengthen our collective voice and influence.
Turning our attention to education in landscape architecture, we recognise the pivotal role played by organisations like the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (ECLAS) and the Council of Educators in Landscape Architecture (CELA). It was great to have them present at our council. The collaborative efforts of ECLAS and CELA with IFLA are shaping the future of education in our field, ensuring that the next generation of landscape architects is well-prepared to address the complex challenges of the 21st century.
Professional standards and registration are paramount to our profession’s credibility and accountability. In this pursuit, we must remain steadfast and unwavering. We have made strides, but there is more work to be done. I’d like to acknowledge the Professional Standards Working Group led by Fritz Auweck. Together, we will continue to push toward attaining professional standards worldwide.
As we look ahead, the future of corporate governance within IFLA is a topic of great importance. We must ensure that our organisational structures are agile, transparent, and accountable, enabling us to adapt to a rapidly changing world. I look forward to embarking on the corporate governance review and having the input of our membership on what IFLA should look like in the future.
Also, our commitment to addressing the urgent issue of climate change remains unwavering. The IFLA Climate Commitment Plan has set the stage for transformative action. What’s next? It is a question we must continually ask ourselves as we strive to turn our commitments into tangible solutions for a sustainable future. Don’t forget to answer the quick survey from our IFLA Climate Commitment Working Group.
As we went home, I’m sure everyone felt richer as we forged new relationships with key partners and stakeholders. It is worth mentioning the workshops we had with the International Society for Urban Health (ISUH), where we expect the commitment of our delegates to push the urban health agenda. We’ll have a follow-up workshop in Istanbul to report progress on this. In addition, the workshop with the UN-Habitat was fantastic and we are currently working on a MoU to set the expectations for the future. We learned what they do best and we taught them what the profession of landscape architecture does. Next year in Istanbul, we hope to welcome new partners to keep discussing not only how to collaborate but also how to push forward the landscape architecture agenda.
And finally, I’d like to take a moment to recognise the exceptional work being carried out by our committees and working groups. These dedicated teams are instrumental in raising visibility, standards, and competencies in landscape architecture. Their relentless pursuit of excellence deserves our utmost appreciation. Equally, key initiatives at the regional level continue to bolster IFLA’s mandate as a global organisation. Our regional efforts keep strengthening our profession, allowing us to address local challenges while advancing the broader field of landscape architecture.
In closing, I would like to express my deep gratitude to all of you for your dedication, passion, and unwavering support for IFLA’s mission. Together, we are charting a course for the future of landscape architecture that is both impactful and inspirational. I hope everyone left the World Council and Congress with renewed enthusiasm and determination, knowing that our collective efforts will shape the landscapes of tomorrow.
Once again, a massive acknowledgment to the Architecture Association of Kenya and Swedish Architects for welcoming us with their arms wide open and being such great hosts.
We now pass the baton to the Chamber of Turkish Landscape Architects (CTLA) and look forward to seeing you all in Istanbul.
Sincerely yours,
Dr Bruno Marques
IFLA President