IFLA News #77, June 2008

IFLA’s 60th Anniversary

In the foreword to IFLA – Past, Present, Future published in 2000, IFLA President at the time, Arno Sighart Schmid, gave an insight into the roots and purpose of our organisation, writing: The International Federation of Landscape Architects – IFLA – was founded in 1948.

Shortly after the terrible World War II, a vision for a better future emerged and a new and better world order seemed possible. In 1945, the United Nations had been formed, UNESCO had come into being in 1946, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948.

Today, on the threshold of a new Millennium, humankind stands at a decisive point on its way into the future, with grave challenges and risks relating to our natural environment and its carrying capacity. Our profession of landscape architecture is called upon to contribute towards safeguarding the viability of the natural environment and towards developing and maintaining a humane built environment in cities, towns and villages. IFLA, the reunified international representation of our profession, stands ready to strive towards a positive future!

In 2008, in the year of IFLA’s 60th Anniversary, we continue to be challenged by these sentiments. In this issue of IFLA News, we remember especially some of the people who have helped to shape the profession of landscape architecture, and some of their initiatives and organisations that continue to endure and evolve.

We also look to the future with a foretaste of the excitement of the recently held European Landscape Architecture Students Association (ELASA) minimeeting, as well as catching up with other current news from around the world – landscape architecture never rests!

Ed.

Complete document available here

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