See online version 22 February 2022 UIA 1st Quarterly Report for 2022 In its continued efforts to unite, influence and advance the architectural profession, the UIA has committed to sending quarterly reports to its Member Sections in order to strengthen the Union’s relationship with them, create greater awareness on the activities of the Council and increase the transparency of the organisation’s operations. COMMUNICATION ▼  A new website for the UIA The UIA has a revamped website and Member Area whose design layout has been modernised to adopt a refined style in line with the feedback received from its Members of Council during a survey conducted in 2021. The Member Area will facilitate access to the entirety of the relevant internal documentation of the UIA. As the Secretariat continues to upload content from its archives, Member Sections and Working Bodies are encouraged to send regular updates to the UIA and contribute to making this platform a valuable resource for all. Visit the website  Communications Committee Following the Council Session held on 13-14 December 2021, the UIA recognised the need to constitute a Communications Committee composed of Council Members whose role will be to work with the Secretary General and Secretariat to optimise its communication operations and strategies to improve the communication with the members and the public. Its members include Teresa Taboas (Spain), Bohdan Lisowski (Poland), David Rojas (Mexico), Richard Kirk (Australia) and Mugure Njendu (Kenya), and chaired by the Secretary General Pei Ing Tan. The Committee held its first meeting on 3 February 2022, during which the Secretariat presented an overview of the current communications methods and platforms. It agreed on the need to review and restructure the UIA’s communications strategy and plan for the remainder of the 2021-2023 term. PARTNERS ▼  World Health Organization – Year of Design for Health The UIA has received the support of the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2022 Year of Design for Health. This initiative was launched on 4 February during a webinar in which global experts discussed the contributions that architects can make in order to Design for Health. Other activities on this theme will be proposed throughout the year. More information View the recording and presentations made here  UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture UIA President José Luis Cortés met with Lazare Eloundou, Director of the World Heritage Centre and Dominique Perrault, President of the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture (WCA) Joint Committee on 8 February. During their discussions, Mr. Eloundou confirmed UNESCO General Director Audrey Azoulay’s commitment to architecture and their interest in joint initiatives with the UIA through the WCA programme. UIA OPERATIONS ▼  Taskforce on the restructuring of the UIA Following the 2021 General Assembly, a Task Force was set up to reflect on organising and governing the UIA. Its members are José Luis Cortés (President), Sara Topelson (Past President) and Chair, Pei Ing Tan (Secretary General) and Council Members from each UIA Region (Eric Wirth, Ruta Leitanaite, Rim Safar, Debatosh Sahu and Vity Claude Nsalambi) supported by S. Cela from the UIA General Secretariat. In accordance with the approved motion, the Task Force will address the task of restructuring during its weekly meetings while also involving all Member Sections in a collaborative and participatory manner. The first stage of this work was carried out in response to a survey conducted with the UIA stakeholders. This survey received 130 total responses from 65 countries. The results thereof and proposals regarding the next steps will be presented to the Extraordinary General Assembly in Madrid, Spain.  Finance Committee The Finance Committee, which oversees and manages the financial operations of the UIA, has been established for the 2021-2023 mandate. Composed of José Luis Cortés (President), Seif Alnaga (Treasurer) and Council members Lilia Cannarella (Region I), Ruta Leitanate (Region II) and Zhang Li (Region IV), the Committee holds bimonthly meetings for budget preparation and monitoring in addition to providing financial support to UIA activities and programmes. It also aims to better communicate and inform the Member Sections of UIA operations and to promote the Union.  Working Bodies The UIA Working Bodies are policy-driven and relevant entities that are vital to the critical aims of the Union.The Secretary General organised a virtual workshop on 15 February 2022 involving the Members of Council and the directors of the UIA Working Bodies appointed for the 2021-2023 term. The objectives were to establish closer working relationship between the Council and the Working Bodies, promote collaboration between Working Bodies as well as develop strategies and actions. The first part of the workshop was dedicated to presentations by Working Bodies on their objectives and roadmaps for the new term, followed by a brainstorming session. The roadmaps will be developed further and presented during the Extraordinary General Assembly to be held in Madrid (Spain) in May. The current Working Bodies are composed of 4 Commissions (permanent bodies that focus on issues related to the professions) and 10 Work Programmes under 3 main groupings, Architecture and Society, Habitat and Public Facilities (created or renewed at the beginning of each term and responding to a need for a common vision and objective). WHAT’S NEXT? ▼  Launch of the Golden Cubes Awards Join us for the launch fifth cycle of Golden Cubes Awards organised by the Architecture and Children Work Programme. Started in 2011, the Awards honour people and organisations that help children and young people to develop a better understanding of architecture and the built environment. Entrants will be invited to submit entries describing activities or products designed to teach children and young people, from pre-school up to and including the age of 18, about architectural design and the processes by which our environment is formed. Register for the webinar  2022 UIA International Forum The 2022 UIA International Forum will take place in Madrid, Spain from 18 to 20 May. With the theme of “Affordable Housing Activation: Removing Barriers”, the event will address the concept of housing as a basic universal right as specified in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The UIA thanks the Member Sections and Vice-Presidents that have nominated members of the Advisory board and speakers for the Forum. Member Sections and Working Bodies are encouraged to organise side/parallel events and to be involved in this meaningful discussion. The UIA Extraordinary General Assembly on 16-17 May 2022 in Madrid, Spain will be an opportunity for UIA Member Sections around the world to deliberate on matters concerning the Union and to determine the way forward midway into the 2021-2023 term. More about the Forum  UIA – INTERNATIONAL UNION OF ARCHITECTS [email protected] www.uia-architectes.org Sign up for our newsletter |
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2024. PRESS RELEASE
Dear Esteemed Members, Colleagues, and Fellow Nigerians, Today, on World Environment Day, we gather to address the pressing challenges facing our environment. As architects, we have a critical role to
